Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Appleton, WI
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $62,100 a year ($29.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,670 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $60,280. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $61,860. There are 0.44 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $61,630, close to the median.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 25th percentile | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Median | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| 75th percentile | $65,840 | $31.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Average (mean) | $61,630 | $29.63 |
Half of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,175 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,587.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,388.46 |
| Weekly | $1,194.23 |
| Hourly | $29.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,020 | 2,500 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $70,390 | 190 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $66,770 | 30 |
| Madison, WI | $63,690 | 220 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $62,770 | 600 |
| Wausau, WI | $61,780 | 150 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $60,800 | 30 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,210 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $54,200 | 110 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $54,160 | 30 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $49,920 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for mental health and substance abuse social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $79,380 |
| California | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $78,640 |
| Minnesota | $75,020 |
| Maryland | $73,580 |
| District of Columbia | $73,310 |
| Vermont | $73,210 |
| Washington | $70,460 |
| Oregon | $68,210 |
| New Jersey | $66,590 |
See Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,680 | $29.66 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| Health Education Specialist | $76,170 | $36.62 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Appleton, WI metro area is $62,100 a year, or $29.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $78,670 a year. The top 25% earn $65,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,680 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $48,280 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Appleton, WI?
About 50 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.