Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers is $23.33 an hour ($48,530 a year). About 1,200 people work in this job there.
That is 19% lower than the U.S. median ($60,280). Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.26 | $37,980 |
| 25% of workers | $21.46 | $44,630 |
| Half of workers (median) | $23.33 | $48,530 |
| 75% of workers | $31.82 | $66,180 |
| 90% of workers | $38.83 | $80,760 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $60,160 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $58,830 | 120 |
| Iowa City | $55,350 | 60 |
| Dubuque | $50,700 | 30 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $49,750 | 290 |
| Sioux City | $48,630 | 60 |
| Cedar Rapids | $47,240 | 150 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Iowa
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: 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.