Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$33,880
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,230
- 50th Percentile — Median$42,570
- 75th Percentile — Senior$48,780
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,960
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kentucky earn more than $42,570. The top 10% make $63,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $33,880.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 49th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $45,280 per year (33.4% below the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 1,360 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kentucky — 1.0% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.80: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,880; the top 10% earn over $63,960.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.77 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in Kentucky, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($68,360).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $45,280 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $45,280 is roughly equivalent to $54,554 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($50,630), Tennessee ($50,000), Nebraska ($45,760) are the closest alternatives for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Social Services Jobs in Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $68,360/yr Kentucky +51.0% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $65,740/yr Kentucky +45.2% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $64,960/yr Kentucky +43.5% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $59,270/yr Kentucky +30.9% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $57,560/yr Kentucky +27.1% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $56,560/yr Kentucky +24.9% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $56,550/yr Kentucky +24.9% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $51,300/yr Kentucky +13.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Kentucky?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Kentucky is $45,280 per year (median $42,570), which is 33.4% below the national average of $68,030.
How does Kentucky rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
Kentucky ranks 49th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($91,050/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kentucky earn about $33,880 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,230.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Kentucky?
About $21.77 per hour, based on the $45,280 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 1,360 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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