Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $50,500 -15.9% vs national
Median hourly $24.28
10th percentile $39,110
90th percentile $94,870
Employed locally 300
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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Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,110
    25th
    $45,220
    50th (median)
    $50,500
    75th
    $63,970
    90th
    $94,870

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 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
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $50,120
    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 Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$53,980
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$45,400
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$53,140
    Social and Human Service Assistants$36,420
    Healthcare Social Workers$61,810
    Marriage and Family Therapists$43,260

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Knoxville, TN is $24.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.79 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Knoxville, TN is 15.9% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $39,110 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,220.