State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs New Jersey
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In New Jersey, $66,590. After cost-of-living, the gap is 16.6% — not 18.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+18.6%
California vs New Jersey
COL-adjusted gap
+16.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $79,000
- p25
- $57,800
- p75
- $118,860
- p10
- $46,450
- p90
- $147,300
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -29%
New Jersey
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $66,590
- p25
- $47,610
- p75
- $84,700
- p10
- $45,180
- p90
- $102,130
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 108.8
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- 0%
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.