Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary in Boston, MA
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $63,830 a year — 6% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,496 take-home, or $4,208 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median mental health and substance abuse social worker salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,480
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,957
- Medicare (1.45%)$926
- Massachusetts income tax$2,972
- Take-home pay$50,496
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,280 | $23.69 | $39,532 | $3,294 |
| 25th percentile | $58,090 | $27.93 | $46,171 | $3,848 |
| Median (50th) | $63,830 | $30.69 | $50,496 | $4,208 |
| 75th percentile | $78,420 | $37.70 | $60,297 | $5,025 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,830 | $49.44 | $76,249 | $6,354 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,830 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median mental health and substance abuse social worker's $50,496 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,641 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boston, MA has 2.0× the national concentration of mental health and substance abuse social worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for mental health and substance abuse social workers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #4 of 7 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $82,450 | $62,978 | $55,949 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $75,020 | $58,029 | $55,359 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $78,410 | $59,910 | $52,753 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $63,830 | $50,496 | $46,641 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $57,720 | $45,846 | $44,255 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $47,390 | $40,258 | $39,051 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,340 | $38,464 | $37,230 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 7 metros →
About the job: mental health and substance abuse social workers
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.3% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make in Boston, MA?
The median mental health and substance abuse social worker salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $63,830 a year, or about $30.69 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,090 and $78,420.
What is a mental health and substance abuse social worker’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $63,830 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $50,496 a year ($4,208 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,972 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a mental health and substance abuse social worker?
Pay here is 6% above the national median of $60,280. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,641 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #4 of 7 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a mental health and substance abuse social worker afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 54% of a median mental health and substance abuse social worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $80,760
- Healthcare Social Worker — $78,410
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $77,420
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $62,130
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $47,530
- Rehabilitation Counselor — $47,440