State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs New Mexico
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In New Mexico, $65,640. After cost-of-living, the gap is 0.2% — not 20.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+20.4%
California vs New Mexico
COL-adjusted gap
+0.2%
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 Mexico
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $65,640
- p25
- $44,860
- p75
- $86,150
- p10
- $36,700
- p90
- $114,170
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
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.