State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs West Virginia
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In West Virginia, $50,070. After cost-of-living, the gap is 27.6% — not 57.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+57.8%
California vs West Virginia
COL-adjusted gap
+27.6%
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%
West Virginia
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $50,070
- p25
- $47,270
- p75
- $57,830
- p10
- $38,410
- p90
- $70,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 89.5
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.