Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Indianapolis, IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Median annual salary $60,890 +1.4% vs national
Median hourly $29.27
10th percentile $43,290
90th percentile $82,610
Employed locally 710
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
in
Indianapolis, IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,290
    25th
    $47,250
    50th (median)
    $60,890
    75th
    $77,900
    90th
    $82,610

    Indianapolis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,065 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 79% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 21% 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
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $83,710
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $78,480
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,600
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $77,540
    Salinas, CA $77,150
    Minnesota $77,100

    Related occupations in Indianapolis, IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$47,990
    Social and Human Service Assistants$44,640
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$51,690
    Healthcare Social Workers$68,420
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$58,980
    Health Education Specialists$60,740

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Indianapolis, IN is $29.27, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.46 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Indianapolis, IN is 1.4% 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 Indianapolis?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $43,290 per year in Indianapolis, IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,250.