Salaries › Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker › North Carolina
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary in North Carolina (2026)
$27.98 per hour · take-home ≈ $47,138/year ($3,928/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 24th of 51 states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay, with a median about 6% below the national average. Of the 3,690 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $58,210 a year — though pay ranges from $38,970 for newcomers to $79,720 at the top.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $38,970 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $48,150 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $58,210 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $67,460 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $79,720 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,690 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 21-1023, “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary of $58,210 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $47,138 — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
| Gross (median) | $58,210 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,805 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,453 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$1,814 |
| Take-home (annual) | $47,138 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,928 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker make in North Carolina?
- The median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary in North Carolina is $58,210 per year ($27.98 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $48,150 and $67,460.
- What is the take-home pay for a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $58,210, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $47,138 per year ($3,928 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
- How many Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 3,690 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
Other salaries in North Carolina
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified North Carolina state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for North Carolina.