Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $59,500/year ($28.61/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $57,438 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 45.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $60K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin’s Regional Price Parity (103.59). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About mental health and substance abuse social workers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $88K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $80K | +34% | 14,180 |
| Connecticut | $79K | +31% | 1,350 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +28% | 3,430 |
| California | $75K | +25% | 18,020 |
| District of Columbia | $73K | +21% | 640 |
| Oregon | $72K | +20% | 2,160 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +17% | 3,140 |
| Hawaii | $70K | +17% | 410 |
| Vermont | $70K | +16% | 370 |
| Washington | $69K | +15% | 3,490 |
| Maine | $68K | +13% | 1,120 |
| New Mexico | $66K | +9% | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $65K | +8% | 6,790 |
| New Hampshire | $64K | +6% | 460 |
| Virginia | $64K | +6% | 3,130 |
| North Dakota | $62K | +3% | 230 |
| Maryland | $61K | +2% | 1,950 |
| Rhode Island | $60K | +1% | 620 |
| Michigan | $60K | -0% | 5,130 |
| Illinois | $58K | -3% | 1,730 |
| Alaska | $58K | -4% | 340 |
| Delaware | $58K | -4% | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $58K | -4% | 1,950 |
| North Carolina | $57K | -6% | 2,700 |
| Kansas | $56K | -7% | 1,360 |
| Indiana | $54K | -9% | 2,060 |
| Idaho | $51K | -15% | 390 |
| Florida | $51K | -15% | 6,260 |
| Georgia | $51K | -15% | 1,450 |
| Iowa | $50K | -16% | 1,260 |
| Nevada | $50K | -17% | 1,140 |
| Arkansas | $50K | -17% | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $50K | -17% | 4,150 |
| South Dakota | $50K | -17% | 240 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -19% | 890 |
| Tennessee | $49K | -19% | 2,130 |
| West Virginia | $48K | -20% | 390 |
| Arizona | $47K | -22% | 3,610 |
| Ohio | $46K | -23% | 6,870 |
| Missouri | $46K | -23% | 2,530 |
| Kentucky | $45K | -24% | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $45K | -25% | 800 |
| Texas | $45K | -25% | 5,810 |
| Louisiana | $44K | -27% | 980 |
| Montana | $44K | -27% | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $43K | -28% | 1,470 |
| Wyoming | $42K | -30% | 140 |
| Alabama | $42K | -30% | 670 |
| South Carolina | $42K | -30% | 650 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track mental health and substance abuse social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $59,500 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,750, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $87,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,908/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 45.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a mental health and substance abuse social workers salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary is worth about $57,438 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mental health and substance abuse social workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.