Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker salary in Boston, MA
Based on 14 certified H-1B filings in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Cambridge, Chelsea, East Boston, Lynn, Lynn City.
Also listed as: Master Social Worker
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $61,665 |
| 25th | $67,754 |
| 50th (median) | $81,975 |
| 75th | $86,875 |
| 90th | $100,534 |
Cost of living
Boston's median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker salary of $81,975 is worth about $75,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Boston = 108.3).
Compared with all workers here
All Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Boston, MA area earned a median of $63,830 in May 2025 (4,660 employed). The H-1B median here is $81,975, 28% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| North Suffolk Community Services | too few | 5 |
| Lynn Community Health | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | – | 0 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.