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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $49,580 -17.4% vs national
Median hourly $23.84
10th percentile $41,790
90th percentile $73,800
Employed locally 720
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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Nashville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,790
    25th
    $47,750
    50th (median)
    $49,580
    75th
    $65,140
    90th
    $73,800

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 60% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 40% 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
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $49,160
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $48,500
    Johnson City, TN $46,830

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $49,820
    Healthcare Social Workers $64,090
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $55,060
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $60,650
    Social and Human Service Assistants $41,500
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $54,250

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Nashville, TN is $23.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Nashville, TN is 17.4% 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 Nashville?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $41,790 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,750.