Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $59,500 -0.9% vs national
Median hourly $28.61
10th percentile $43,750
90th percentile $87,960
Employed locally 1,390
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
    $43,750
    25th
    $48,740
    50th (median)
    $59,500
    75th
    $70,770
    90th
    $87,960

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 67% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 33% 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
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $82,440
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $73,950
    Springfield, IL $72,420
    Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA $71,200
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $66,030

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants $45,950
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $61,150
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $64,600
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $63,820
    Healthcare Social Workers $74,700
    Rehabilitation Counselors $48,850

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Chicago, IL-IN is $28.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.03 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 0.9% 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $43,750 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,740.