Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $42,920 -28.5% vs national
Median hourly $20.64
10th percentile $35,120
90th percentile $73,050
Employed locally 40
National median $60,060

Compare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,120
    25th
    $38,260
    50th (median)
    $42,920
    75th
    $58,210
    90th
    $73,050

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 60% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 40% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Cheyenne, WY $118,900
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $116,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Las Cruces, NM $97,490

    Nearby metros — Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $77,830
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,600
    California $75,320
    District of Columbia $72,720
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $72,360

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $48,570
    Social and Human Service Assistants $37,000
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $44,950
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $66,320
    Healthcare Social Workers $62,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Ames, IA is $20.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.12 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries?

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Ames, IA is 28.5% below the national median of $60,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Ames?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $35,120 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,260.