State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs South Dakota
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In South Dakota, $48,920. After cost-of-living, the gap is 29.2% — not 61.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+61.5%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+29.2%
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%
South Dakota
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $48,920
- p25
- $44,250
- p75
- $61,900
- p10
- $39,230
- p90
- $73,610
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
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.