Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota is $75,020/year ($36.07/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $81,015 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 28.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Minnesota?
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Minnesota sits well above the national pay line for mental health and substance abuse social workers, local pay runs about 24% higher than the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary by metro in Minnesota
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato | $84K | +11% | 90 |
| Rochester | $77K | +3% | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $75K | +0% | 2,500 |
| Duluth | $70K | -6% | 190 |
| St. Cloud | $68K | -9% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track mental health and substance abuse social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mental health and substance abuse social worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 28.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mental health and substance abuse social workers typically earn — is $51K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,057/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mental health and substance abuse social worker a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Local pay is 24% above the national median — $75K here vs. $60K nationally.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
Minnesota pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s +24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Minnesota?
The median is $75,020 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,950, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $98,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,791/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 28.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mental health and substance abuse social workers salary go in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary is worth about $81,015 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.