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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Employment & Job Outlook in Tennessee (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Tennessee employs 2,220 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers professionals, below the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Tennessee employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19

Total Employed
2,220
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
2.22
workers
Location Quotient
0.84
vs national avg
Average Salary
$50K
annual

Average Demand in Tennessee

The location quotient (LQ) of 0.84 indicates that Tennessee has an average concentration of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers professionals, similar to the national average employment distribution.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

Tennessee vs National Average

Total Employed
2,220
National: 132,190
1.7% of national
Jobs per 1,000
2.22
National: 2.64
-15.9%
Average Salary
$50K
National: $62K
-19.4%

Top States by Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Employment

#1
19,860
19,860
employed
#2
14,820
14,820
employed
#3
8,220
8,220
employed
#4
7,440
7,440
employed
#5
6,050
6,050
employed
#6
5,150
5,150
employed
#7
4,620
4,620
employed
#8
3,690
3,690
employed
#9
3,690
3,690
employed
#10
3,670
3,670
employed

What Does a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Earn in Tennessee?

The average annual salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee is $50,000. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are there in Tennessee?

Tennessee employs approximately 2,220 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Tennessee for this occupation nationwide.

Is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in demand in Tennessee?

Tennessee has average or below-average concentration of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs (LQ: 0.84). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee?

The average (mean) salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee is $50000/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers professionals?

The top state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers employment is California with 19,860 jobs.

Find Your Next Opportunity

Related Pages

Top Cities in Tennessee

Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Tennessee's largest cities.

Top Colleges in Tennessee

Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Tennessee's leading institutions.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Employment in Other States

Compare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.

All Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers & Tennessee Resources

Drill deeper into Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, hiring, and education data for Tennessee.

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (SOC 211023) in Tennessee.

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