State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Rhode Island
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Rhode Island, $60,990. After cost-of-living, the gap is 19.7% — not 29.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+29.5%
California vs Rhode Island
COL-adjusted gap
+19.7%
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%
Rhode Island
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $60,990
- p25
- $49,340
- p75
- $110,210
- p10
- $42,900
- p90
- $135,200
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 102.3
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.