Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $60,290 +0.4% vs national
Median hourly $28.98
10th percentile $39,180
90th percentile $81,850
Employed locally 260
National median $60,060

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

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

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

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,180
    25th
    $47,080
    50th (median)
    $60,290
    75th
    $74,330
    90th
    $81,850

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 72% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 28% 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 Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants$42,580
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55,140
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60,010
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$61,400
    Rehabilitation Counselors$41,070
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$80,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Des Moines, IA is $28.98, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.49 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Des Moines, IA is 0.4% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $39,180 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,080.