Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Hourly Pay
As of May 2025, the median hourly wage for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the United States was $28.98, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Hourly Wage Percentiles
| Percentile | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $19.11 |
| 25th | $22.63 |
| Median | $28.98 |
| 75th | $38.33 |
| 90th | $50.08 |
Data source: BLS OES national file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.98; the mean hourly wage is $32.71.
What is the entry-level hourly pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn about $19.11 per hour — a common proxy for entry-level pay.
What is the top hourly pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
Workers at the 90th percentile earn about $50.08 per hour.