Salary distribution
Where Illinois mental health and substance abuse social workers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $47,590 and $70,770, with a median of $58,090.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 13 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $55,105. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $40,500 |
| Level II — qualified | 3 | $60,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $73,941 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $92,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connections Health LLC | Therapist and Clinical Supervisor | 3 | $92,000 |
| Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc | Mental Health Professional (MHP) | 3 | $45,000 |
| Roamers Therapy LLC | Psychotherapist | 2 | $40,500 |
| Depth Counseling Services PC | Staff Psychotherapist | 1 | $60,000 |
| Lotus Root Counseling PLLC | Mental Health Social Worker | 1 | $145,600 |
| The Thresholds | Homeless Outreach Worker | 1 | $55,105 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois | Counselor-Case Manager | 1 | $50,003 |
| The University of Chicago | Clinical Case Manager | 1 | $73,941 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Staff Psychotherapist at Depth Counseling Services PC$60,000Highland ParkWage Level IIDecided Aug 28, 2025I-200-25233-258661
- Mental Health Social Worker at Lotus Root Counseling PLLC$145,600ChicagoWage Level IVDecided Aug 27, 2025I-200-25232-255303
- Therapist and Practice Development Associate at Connections Health LLC$60,000EvanstonWage Level IIDecided Jul 21, 2025I-200-25195-173784
- Homeless Outreach Worker at The Thresholds$55,105ChicagoWage Level IDecided Jul 17, 2025I-200-25191-164886
- Mental Health Professional (MHP) at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc$45,000ChicagoDecided Jun 4, 2025I-200-25148-025599
- Mental Health Professional (QMHP) at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc$45,000ChicagoDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-013297
- Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc$50,000ChicagoDecided May 29, 2025I-200-25141-002273
- Counselor-Case Manager at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois$50,003ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Apr 15, 2025I-200-25098-842741
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 13 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $52,554.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Connections Health LLC | 12 | $52,554 |
| Education | The University of Chicago | 1 | $73,941 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- 02
Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- 03
Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- 04
Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- 05
Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- 06
Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- 07
Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- 08
Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for mental health and substance abuse social workers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$59,500
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois is $58,090.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
- The Illinois median is -4.8% versus the BLS national figure of $61,012.
- What is the salary range for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $41,600 and the 90th-percentile at $87,960, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.