Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is $54,470/year ($26.19/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.06), that's roughly $54,437 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,820/month — about 50.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $54K get you in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell’s Regional Price Parity (100.06). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About mental health and substance abuse social workers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $82K or more, a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $80K | +34% | 14,180 |
| Connecticut | $79K | +31% | 1,350 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +28% | 3,430 |
| California | $75K | +25% | 18,020 |
| District of Columbia | $73K | +21% | 640 |
| Oregon | $72K | +20% | 2,160 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +17% | 3,140 |
| Hawaii | $70K | +17% | 410 |
| Vermont | $70K | +16% | 370 |
| Washington | $69K | +15% | 3,490 |
| Maine | $68K | +13% | 1,120 |
| New Mexico | $66K | +9% | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $65K | +8% | 6,790 |
| New Hampshire | $64K | +6% | 460 |
| Virginia | $64K | +6% | 3,130 |
| North Dakota | $62K | +3% | 230 |
| Maryland | $61K | +2% | 1,950 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | +1% | 620 |
| Michigan | $60K | -0% | 5,130 |
| Illinois | $58K | -3% | 1,730 |
| Alaska | $58K | -4% | 340 |
| Delaware | $58K | -4% | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $58K | -4% | 1,950 |
| North Carolina | $57K | -6% | 2,700 |
| Kansas | $56K | -7% | 1,360 |
| Indiana | $54K | -9% | 2,060 |
| Idaho | $51K | -15% | 390 |
| Florida | $51K | -15% | 6,260 |
| Georgia | $51K | -15% | 1,450 |
| Iowa | $50K | -16% | 1,260 |
| Nevada | $50K | -17% | 1,140 |
| Arkansas | $50K | -17% | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $50K | -17% | 4,150 |
| South Dakota | $50K | -17% | 240 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -19% | 890 |
| Tennessee | $49K | -19% | 2,130 |
| West Virginia | $48K | -20% | 390 |
| Arizona | $47K | -22% | 3,610 |
| Ohio | $46K | -23% | 6,870 |
| Missouri | $46K | -23% | 2,530 |
| Kentucky | $45K | -24% | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $45K | -25% | 800 |
| Texas | $45K | -25% | 5,810 |
| Louisiana | $44K | -27% | 980 |
| Montana | $44K | -27% | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $43K | -28% | 1,470 |
| Wyoming | $42K | -30% | 140 |
| Alabama | $42K | -30% | 670 |
| South Carolina | $42K | -30% | 650 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track mental health and substance abuse social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?
The median is $54,470 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,080, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $82,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,605/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,820/month, which eats 50.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a mental health and substance abuse social workers salary go in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell has a Regional Price Parity of 100.06 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary is worth about $54,437 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mental health and substance abuse social workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.