Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Illinois
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois earn a median of $49,960 a year ($24.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,050 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $60,280. Illinois ranks 34th of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay. There are 0.57 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $58,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| 25th percentile | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Median | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| 75th percentile | $69,210 | $33.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,050 | $38.01 |
| Average (mean) | $58,130 | $27.95 |
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 | $4,163.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,081.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,921.54 |
| Weekly | $960.77 |
| Hourly | $24.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,830 | 120 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $57,720 | 2,450 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $49,520 | 820 |
| Peoria, IL | $49,000 | 50 |
| Springfield, IL | $46,010 | 150 |
| Rockford, IL | $45,280 | 110 |
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.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| Community Health Worker | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $64,030 | $30.79 |
| Health Education Specialist | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Counselors, All Other | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Clergy | $61,820 | $29.72 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Illinois is $49,960 a year, or $24.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in Illinois earn at least $79,050 a year. The top 25% earn $69,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,910 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $46,290 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Illinois?
About 3,460 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.