Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the median pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers is $22.36 an hour ($46,500 a year). About 2,220 people work in this job there.

$22.36Median hourly pay

$42,780–$55,310Middle half of workers, yearly

2,220People in this job in Tennessee

That is 23% lower than the U.S. median ($60,280). Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

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

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.43	$38,320
25% of workers	$20.57	$42,780
Half of workers (median)	$22.36	$46,500
75% of workers	$26.59	$55,310
90% of workers	$32.90	$68,430

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Cleveland	$49,850	50
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	$48,630	800
Memphis	$46,810	380
Knoxville	$45,660	250
Chattanooga	$45,360	150
Kingsport-Bristol	$44,950	100
Morristown	$42,800	30
Clarksville	$42,780	90
Johnson City	$42,170	100
Jackson	$37,170	70

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee

Job	Median yearly pay
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	$49,580
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$56,310
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$59,960
Healthcare Social Workers	$61,240
Social and Human Service Assistants	$40,310
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$58,010
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	$53,850
Social Workers, All Other	$51,460

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.