Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Middle 50%
- $47,430–$72,280
- vs U.S. median
- -4%
- Metro rank
- #63 of 118
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $57,720 a year, based on BLS estimates for 2,450 jobs (May 2025). That is 4% below the U.S. median of $60,280 and 16% above the IL statewide median of $49,960. It ranks #63 of 118 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE2,450 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in other IL metros
1 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $57,500 |
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Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $57,720 a year (May 2025). Half of the 2,450 jobs pay between $47,430 and $72,280. The 10th percentile is $46,040 and the 90th is $83,260.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
That is 4% below the U.S. median of $60,280 and 16% above the IL statewide median of $49,960. It ranks #63 of 118 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make an hour in Chicago?
About $27.75 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $57,720 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $22.80–$34.75 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.