Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $50,120 -16.6% vs national
Median hourly $24.10
10th percentile $38,620
90th percentile $65,450
Employed locally 120
National median $60,060

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

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,620
    25th
    $42,040
    50th (median)
    $50,120
    75th
    $57,440
    90th
    $65,450

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 73% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 27% 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
    Knoxville, TN $50,500
    Cleveland, TN $49,850
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,580
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $49,160
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,500
    Johnson City, TN $46,830

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Healthcare Social Workers $61,300
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $50,220
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $52,480
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $58,930
    Social and Human Service Assistants $38,540
    Marriage and Family Therapists $47,770

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $24.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 16.6% 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 Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $38,620 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,040.