Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Median annual salary $49,160 -18.1% vs national
Median hourly $23.64
10th percentile $42,610
90th percentile $74,430
Employed locally 320
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Memphis, TN-MS-AR stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
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Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,610
    25th
    $47,320
    50th (median)
    $49,160
    75th
    $62,800
    90th
    $74,430

    Memphis economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $64,743 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 76% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 24% 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
    Knoxville, TN $50,500
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $50,120
    Cleveland, TN $49,850
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $49,580
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,500
    Johnson City, TN $46,830

    Related occupations in Memphis, TN-MS-AR

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $53,980
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $48,940
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $67,310
    Social and Human Service Assistants $37,190
    Healthcare Social Workers $67,290
    Social Workers, All Other $52,410

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is $23.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.33 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR is 18.1% 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 Memphis?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $42,610 per year in Memphis, TN-MS-AR. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,320.