RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs North Dakota

Occupation

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In North Dakota, $60,980. After cost-of-living, the gap is 4.2% — not 29.6%.

Nominal pay gap
+29.6%
California vs North Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+4.2%
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%
See full breakdown for California

North Dakota

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median
$60,980
p25
$58,790
p75
$65,110
p10
$44,050
p90
$75,840
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
89.0
See full breakdown for North Dakota

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.