Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Waterbury-Shelton, CT
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in Waterbury-Shelton, CT is $84,150/year ($40.46/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $108K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.78), that's roughly $84,336 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,788/month — about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $84K get you in Waterbury-Shelton?
About mental health and substance abuse social workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Waterbury-Shelton, CT
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K.Top earners bring in $108K or more - a $64K 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 |
Track mental health and substance abuse social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Waterbury-Shelton numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Waterbury-Shelton, CT?
The median is $84,150 a year - that works out to about $40.46 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,640, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $108,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Waterbury-Shelton?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,284/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,788/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.8% 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 Waterbury-Shelton?
Waterbury-Shelton has a Regional Price Parity of 99.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary is worth about $84,336 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.