Pain severity, disability, and depression are significant hallmarks for chronic pain. In this investigation, 1,650 black (6.2%) and white (93.8%) men presenting for initial assessment at a tertiary pain center completed standardized measures of physical and psychosocial health. Socio-demographic data, coping behaviors, and stress-related co-morbidities were additionally ascertained. The University of Michigan Health System Institutional Review Board waived informed consent, since measures were collected as part of standard assessment. Being black, involved in litigation, and having high-blood pressure resulted in increased pain, disability, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and affective distress. Higher education and income and being married were protective of poor health and co-morbidities. Alcohol and caffeine use was associated with better health and fewer co-morbidities while smoking and alcohol used for sleep were associated with poorer health. After accounting for socio-demographic, behavioral, medical, physical, and psychosocial factors via a series of hierarchical linear regressions, blacks (particularly young black men) were at greater risk for severe pain and marginally at greater risk for depression. Blacks were also at much greater risk for PTSD. Aging was associated with lower pain and affective distress scores, but resulted in higher disability scores. The positive effect of aging was greater in black when compared to white men, suggesting the possibility of a survival effect in older black men who were accessing the tertiary pain care. While previous reports support black women with chronic pain are more vulnerable to disability resulting in more depression, the current investigation found education and income completely explained the race effect on disability among men. Race was also a determinant of pain severity, depression, and PTSD in men. We additionally identified modifiable socio-demographic and behavioral factors that can improve the health of men with chronic pain in a clinical setting, if appropriately addressed.