Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Jackson, TN
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Jackson, TN metro area earn a median of $37,170 a year ($17.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,500 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $60,280. Pay here is 20% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $46,500. There are 0.85 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Jackson, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| 25th percentile | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Median | $37,170 | $17.87 |
| 75th percentile | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Average (mean) | $41,820 | $20.11 |
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 | $3,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,548.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,429.62 |
| Weekly | $714.81 |
| Hourly | $17.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, TN | $49,850 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,630 | 800 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $46,810 | 380 |
| Knoxville, TN | $45,660 | 250 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,360 | 150 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,950 | 100 |
| Morristown, TN | $42,800 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $42,780 | 90 |
| Johnson City, TN | $42,170 | 100 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jackson, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $46,520 | $22.36 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $55,400 | $26.64 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| Counselors, All Other | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $36,300 | $17.45 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Jackson, TN
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 Jackson, TN?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Jackson, TN metro area is $37,170 a year, or $17.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Jackson, TN?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Jackson, TN metro area earn at least $51,500 a year. The top 25% earn $47,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Jackson, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,050 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $36,050 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Jackson, TN?
About 70 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in the Jackson, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.