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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$46,500
Median Annual Salary
▼
-4.6% vs 2024
$50,000
Mean Salary
$46,500
Median Salary
$22.36
Hourly Rate
2,220 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee earn a median salary of $46,500 per year ($3,875/month).
This is 18.7% below the national average of $57,161.
Tennessee ranks #43 out of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay.
Approximately 2,220 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries decreased by 4.6% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
Top Skills
Social Perceptiveness
4.25
Active Listening
4.12
Speaking
4.12
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Critical Thinking
4.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Therapy and Counseling
4.83
Psychology
4.66
English Language
3.9
Customer and Personal Service
3.8
Education and Training
3.68
Typical Education: Master's Degree
(77.2% of workers)
Salary Range: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee
Salaries for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee range from $38,320 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $68,430 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $42,780 and $55,310.
Median $46,500
P10: $38,320P25: $42,780P75: $55,310P90: $68,430
10th
$38,320
25th
$42,780
Median
$46,500
75th
$55,310
90th
$68,430
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$38,320
$18.42
$3,193
25th Percentile
$42,780
$20.57
$3,565
Median (50th)
$46,500
$22.36
$3,875
75th Percentile
$55,310
$26.59
$4,609
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$68,430
$32.90
$5,702
Note: The mean (average) salary of $50,000 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#43
Tennessee ranks #43 of 51 states
$57,161
National avg. for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee is $46,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $50,000.
What is the salary range for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee?
Salaries for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee range from $38,320 at the 10th percentile to $68,430 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $42,780 and $55,310.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions in Tennessee typically start around $38,320 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $42,780 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,220 people are employed as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Tennessee is approximately $22.36 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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