Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Lexington, KY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lexington-Fayette, KY

Median annual salary $54,530 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $26.22
10th percentile $37,750
90th percentile $83,410
Employed locally 180
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Lexington, KY stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Lexington, KY
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,750
    25th
    $43,420
    50th (median)
    $54,530
    75th
    $67,040
    90th
    $83,410

    Lexington economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 77% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 23% 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
    Rocky Mount, NC $63,230
    Sandusky, OH $52,250
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $51,710
    Elizabethtown, KY $47,230
    Clarksville, TN-KY $46,520
    Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $46,200

    Related occupations in Lexington, KY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$58,500
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,240
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$64,690
    Social and Human Service Assistants$36,440
    Healthcare Social Workers$70,630
    Rehabilitation Counselors$56,150

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Lexington, KY is $26.22, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.84 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Lexington, KY is 9.2% 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 Lexington?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $37,750 per year in Lexington, KY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,420.