Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in Vermont is $73,210/year ($35.2/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.95), that's roughly $72,521 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,498/month, about 31.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Vermont. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Vermont?
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What this looks like in Vermont
Vermont sits well above the national pay line for mental health and substance abuse social workers, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,498/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 100.95) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Vermont
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary by metro in Vermont
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | $73K | +0% | 130 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Vermont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mental health and substance abuse social worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Vermont?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 31.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,498/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Vermont?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mental health and substance abuse social workers typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,691/month. At HUD’s $1,498/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mental health and substance abuse social worker a high-paying job in Vermont?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $73K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Vermont compare to the national average for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
Vermont pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.95), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Vermont?
The median is $73,210 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,510, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $100,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Vermont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,791/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,498/month, which eats 31.3% 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 Vermont?
Vermont has a Regional Price Parity of 100.95 (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 $72,521 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.