State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs South Carolina
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In South Carolina, $39,930. After cost-of-living, the gap is 67.5% — not 97.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+97.8%
California vs South Carolina
COL-adjusted gap
+67.5%
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%
South Carolina
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $39,930
- p25
- $34,770
- p75
- $49,720
- p10
- $30,250
- p90
- $63,970
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 93.7
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.