State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Pennsylvania
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Pennsylvania, $48,290. After cost-of-living, the gap is 44.2% — not 63.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+63.6%
California vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+44.2%
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%
Pennsylvania
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $48,290
- p25
- $43,810
- p75
- $58,860
- p10
- $37,790
- p90
- $73,940
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 97.6
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +2200%
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.