Illinois ranks 21st of 50 states and D.C. for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($80,230) by $22,140 — a 38% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $41,600 to $87,960 — a $46,360 spread, 28% tighter than the national $64,510 range.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are less concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.35 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.86× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 25th percentile | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| 75th percentile | $70,770 | $34.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,960 | $42.29 |
| Mean (average) | $61,600 | $29.62 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $58,090 | n/a |
| New York | $80,230 | +38% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | +36% |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | +33% |
| California | $75,320 | +30% |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | +25% |
| Oregon | $71,830 | +24% |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | +21% |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | +21% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Health Education Specialists | $58,100 | 1,060 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $58,100 | 1,130 |
| Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $58,070 | 8,860 |
| Highway Maintenance Workers | $58,130 | 11,050 |
| Postal Service Mail Carriers | $58,390 | 15,240 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $57,570 | 2,600 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Illinois?
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Illinois is $61,600 per year. The median (middle) salary is $58,090 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois?
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workerss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $41,600 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $47,590 per year.
What is the highest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $87,960 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $70,770 per year.
How does the Illinois Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Illinois is $58,090, which is -3% below national average of $60,060.