State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Tennessee
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Tennessee, $46,500. After cost-of-living, the gap is 41% — not 69.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+69.9%
California vs Tennessee
COL-adjusted gap
+41%
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%
Tennessee
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $46,500
- p25
- $42,780
- p75
- $55,310
- p10
- $38,320
- p90
- $68,430
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 91.9
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.