Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Illinois

In Illinois, the median pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers is $24.02 an hour ($49,960 a year). About 3,460 people work in this job there.

$24.02Median hourly pay
$46,290–$69,210Middle half of workers, yearly
3,460People in this job in Illinois

That is 17% lower than the U.S. median ($60,280). Illinois ranks 34th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Illinois

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$19.19$39,910
25% of workers$22.25$46,290
Half of workers (median)$24.02$49,960
75% of workers$33.28$69,210
90% of workers$38.01$79,050

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$57,7202,450
Peoria$49,00050
Springfield$46,010150
Rockford$45,280110

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for mental health and substance abuse social workers

  • Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Internship/residency (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +10.3% over ten years, much faster than average · about 12,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Illinois

JobMedian yearly pay
Social and Human Service Assistants$46,950
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$60,730
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$63,220
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$62,420
Healthcare Social Workers$64,270
Rehabilitation Counselors$49,350
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$40,900
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$74,390

Other job titles for this job

Behavior SpecialistCounselorMental Health ClinicianMental Health ProfessionalOutpatient TherapistTreatment CoordinatorClinical TherapistDirect Care CounselorLicensed Clinical Social WorkerAddictions CounselorAlcoholism WorkerBehavioral Case Manager

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.