State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs North Carolina
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In North Carolina, $58,210. After cost-of-living, the gap is 15.6% — not 35.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+35.7%
California vs North Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+15.6%
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%
North Carolina
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $58,210
- p25
- $48,150
- p75
- $67,460
- p10
- $38,970
- p90
- $79,720
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.3
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.