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Mental health worker salary
Average mental health worker salary
$41,081
Understanding Mental Health Worker Salaries
The average salary for a mental health worker in the United States is approximately $41,081 per year, translating to about $20 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific role within the mental health field.
Entry-level positions often start at lower salaries, while experienced professionals can earn significantly more. In states like California and New York, salaries can reach upwards of $60,000, reflecting the higher demand and cost of living in these areas.
Moreover, the field includes diverse roles such as clinical social workers, psychiatric technicians, and counselors, each offering different salary ranges. Understanding these dynamics is vital for those considering a career in mental health. By researching average salaries by state and experience level, prospective employees can better gauge their potential earnings and make informed career choices.
Overall, the mental health sector offers rewarding opportunities both emotionally and financially. With an increasing focus on mental wellness, the demand for qualified professionals is expected to grow, presenting further career advancement prospects.
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Where can a Mental Health Worker earn more?
Mental health worker salaries by experience level
Mental health worker salary estimates from across the web
Average mental health worker salary by state
The highest-paying states for mental health workers are California, New York, and New Jersey. The lowest average mental health worker salary states are South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for mental health workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $53,576 | $25.76 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $43,047 | $20.70 |
| 4 | Washington | $48,447 | $23.29 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $48,104 | $23.13 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $38,272 | $18.40 |
| 7 | Delaware | $45,786 | $22.01 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $52,619 | $25.30 |
| 9 | New York | $53,076 | $25.52 |
| 10 | Texas | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| 11 | Nevada | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $50,981 | $24.51 |
| 13 | Oregon | $41,942 | $20.16 |
| 14 | Iowa | $41,813 | $20.10 |
| 15 | Maine | $39,786 | $19.13 |
| 16 | Vermont | $39,954 | $19.21 |
| 17 | Utah | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $39,530 | $19.00 |
| 19 | Maryland | $39,994 | $19.23 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| 21 | Idaho | $35,357 | $17.00 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 23 | Michigan | $35,539 | $17.09 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $36,161 | $17.39 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $38,319 | $18.42 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $36,997 | $17.79 |
| 27 | Arizona | $36,603 | $17.60 |
| 28 | Alaska | $35,584 | $17.11 |
| 29 | Alabama | $33,325 | $16.02 |
| 30 | Colorado | $35,175 | $16.91 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $35,872 | $17.25 |
| 32 | Illinois | $37,675 | $18.11 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $31,435 | $15.11 |
| 34 | Virginia | $34,021 | $16.36 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $34,055 | $16.37 |
| 36 | Indiana | $32,927 | $15.83 |
| 37 | Florida | $34,259 | $16.47 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $35,379 | $17.01 |
| 39 | Missouri | $31,052 | $14.93 |
| 40 | Ohio | $33,574 | $16.14 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $34,514 | $16.59 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $29,826 | $14.34 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $33,487 | $16.10 |
| 44 | Kansas | $33,644 | $16.18 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $32,885 | $15.81 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $30,086 | $14.46 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $23,392 | $11.25 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $30,757 | $14.79 |
| 49 | Georgia | $29,337 | $14.10 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $24,195 | $11.63 |
| 51 | Montana | $27,941 | $13.43 |
Highest paying cities for mental health workers
The highest-paying cities for mental health workers are San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Elizabeth, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $56,001 | $26.92 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $53,496 | $25.72 |
| 3 | Elizabeth, NJ | $52,471 | $25.23 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $41,790 | $20.09 |
| 5 | Burnsville, MN | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| 6 | Bangor, ME | $38,412 | $18.47 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $38,248 | $18.39 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $37,817 | $18.18 |
| 9 | Taunton, MA | $36,936 | $17.76 |
| 10 | Lakewood, CO | $35,144 | $16.90 |
| 11 | Muskegon, MI | $34,688 | $16.68 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $33,278 | $16.00 |
| 13 | Billings, MT | $27,908 | $13.42 |
Mental health worker salary details
A mental health worker's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a mental health worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| Average | $41,081 | $3,423 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying mental health worker jobs
The highest paying types of mental health workers are mental health nurse, mental health clinician, and treatment specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Counselor | $43,820 | $3,652 | $21.07 | 133,491 |
| Residence Counselor | $34,931 | $2,911 | $16.79 | 78,872 |
| Residential Counselor | $34,117 | $2,843 | $16.40 | 81,287 |
| Community Health Counselor | $43,304 | $3,609 | $20.82 | 131,804 |
| Social Worker | $50,102 | $4,175 | $24.09 | 77,340 |
| Youth Worker | $32,242 | $2,687 | $15.50 | 87,360 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for mental health workers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling Clinic Director, Idaho State University
Top companies hiring mental health workers now:
Which companies pay mental health workers the most?
Mental health worker salaries at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Southern California Hospitals are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average mental health worker salary at companies like Brigham and Women's Hospital and Mission Regional Medical Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $67,751 | $32.57 |
| 2 | Southern California Hospitals | $61,426 | $29.53 |
| 3 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | $55,736 | $26.80 |
| 4 | Mission Regional Medical Center | $55,466 | $26.67 |
| 5 | Prime Healthcare | $54,682 | $26.29 |
| 6 | East Alabama Health | $51,994 | $25.00 |
| 7 | University of California | $50,795 | $24.42 |
| 8 | University of California-Berkeley | $50,111 | $24.09 |
| 9 | United Health Centers Of The San Joaquin Valley | $48,796 | $23.46 |
| 10 | Central Transport | $48,748 | $23.44 |
| 11 | Oregon Health & Science University | $47,623 | $22.90 |
| 12 | Sutter Health | $47,549 | $22.86 |
| 13 | COUNTY OF MERCED | $47,466 | $22.82 |
| 14 | Telecare | $46,857 | $22.53 |
| 15 | Pacific Asian Counseling Services | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| 16 | Augusta Health | $46,232 | $22.23 |
| 17 | Alvarado Parkway Institute | $45,771 | $22.01 |
| 18 | Kaiser Permanente | $45,597 | $21.92 |
| 19 | Prospect Medical Holdings | $45,194 | $21.73 |
| 20 | State Bar of Michigan | $45,185 | $21.72 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Mental health worker salary trends
The average mental health worker salary has risen by $8,002 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average mental health worker earned $33,079 annually, but today, they earn $41,081 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for mental health workers over the last decade.
Compare mental health worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average mental health worker salary over time
Compare mental health worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Mental health worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $41,100 | $19.75 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | $39,300 | $18.91 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $37,800 | $18.18 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $36,500 | $17.53 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $36,000 | $17.31 | +1.2% |
Recently added mental health worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danbury Hospital | Mental Health Worker I-Eve/Night | Sharon, CT | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Four Winds Inc. | Mental Health Worker | Katonah, NY | 06/29/2025 | $38,610 |
| PMH Financial | Mental Health Worker (MHW)-Days | Bellflower, CA | 06/29/2025 | $45,079 |
| Amergis | Mental Health Worker/Care Coordinator | Shingle Springs, CA | 06/28/2025 | $28,801 |
| Maimonides Medical Center | Mental Health Worker | New York, NY | 06/27/2025 | $58,436 |
| Northwell Health | Mental Health Worker | Glen, NY | 06/27/2025 | $53,782 |
| Prospect Medical Holdings | Mental Health Worker (MHW)-Nights | Bellflower, CA | 06/27/2025 | $45,079 |
| Arizona Department of Education | Mental Health Social Worker | Gilbert, AZ | 06/27/2025 | $52,246 |
| Aramark Corp | Food Prep Worker-Serenity Rehab and Health-Food | Washington, DC | 06/26/2025 | $36,523 |
| Southern California Hospital at Culver City | Mental Health Worker (MHW)-Days | Bellflower, CA | 06/26/2025 | $45,079 |
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