Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $60,010 -0.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.85
10th percentile $41,370
90th percentile $89,620
Employed locally 680
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
Milwaukee, WI
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,370
    25th
    $47,530
    50th (median)
    $60,010
    75th
    $70,420
    90th
    $89,620

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 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
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $82,440
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $77,540
    Oshkosh-Neenah, WI $75,520
    Duluth, MN-WI $67,020
    Wichita Falls, TX $63,770
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $62,650

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$62,570
    Social and Human Service Assistants$44,910
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$59,820
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$67,170
    Healthcare Social Workers$66,910
    Social Workers, All Other$62,980

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Milwaukee, WI is $28.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.57 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Milwaukee, WI is 0.1% 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 Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $41,370 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,530.