Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Kentucky
In Kentucky, the median pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers is $20.46 an hour ($42,570 a year). About 1,360 people work in this job there.
That is 29% lower than the U.S. median ($60,280). Kentucky ranks 49th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Kentucky
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.29 | $33,880 |
| 25% of workers | $17.90 | $37,230 |
| Half of workers (median) | $20.46 | $42,570 |
| 75% of workers | $23.45 | $48,780 |
| 90% of workers | $30.75 | $63,960 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Kentucky metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $46,860 | 200 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $45,930 | 440 |
| Elizabethtown | $42,860 | 40 |
| Bowling Green | $41,860 | 50 |
| Owensboro | $37,490 | 40 |
Kentucky 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 Kentucky
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.