Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Minnesota
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Minnesota earn a median of $75,020 a year ($36.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,520 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $60,280. Minnesota ranks 4th of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.2 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,420, close to the median.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| 25th percentile | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| Median | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| 75th percentile | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,520 | $47.37 |
| Average (mean) | $74,420 | $35.78 |
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 | $6,251.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,125.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,885.38 |
| Weekly | $1,442.69 |
| Hourly | $36.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Minnesota 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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mankato, MN | $83,530 | 90 |
| Rochester, MN | $77,030 | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,020 | 2,500 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $70,390 | 190 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $68,240 | 50 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $66,770 | 30 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $60,160 | 50 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $59,870 | 90 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,770 | 80 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Health Education Specialist | $78,400 | $37.69 |
| Counselors, All Other | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Clergy | $61,230 | $29.44 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota is $75,020 a year, or $36.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota earn at least $98,520 a year. The top 25% earn $85,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,950 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $60,080 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Minnesota?
About 3,590 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.