SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Cleveland
Cleveland, OH · 10 metro areas compared
In Cleveland, OH the median wage is $45,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Cleveland, OH the median wage is $45,390. That is 24.7% lower than the national median of $60,280. Pay ranges from under $22,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $65,380 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,020 to $50,450.
Employment stands at 1,230, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Sandusky records the highest median at $57,470. Of the 616 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 466th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,260 | −63.1% |
| 25th | $37,020 | −38.6% |
| Median (50th) | $45,390 | −24.7% |
| 75th | $50,450 | −16.3% |
| 90th | $65,380 | +8.5% |
| Mean | $45,920 | −23.8% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandusky | $57,470 | 50 | |
| 2 | Canton | $49,700 | 190 | |
| 3 | Lima | $47,910 | 50 | |
| 4 | Columbus | $47,820 | 1,050 | |
| 5 | Akron | $46,760 | 330 | |
| 6 | Toledo | $46,600 | 350 | |
| 7 | Cincinnati | $45,390 | 970 | |
| 8 | Springfield | $45,120 | 60 | |
| 9 | Dayton | $44,100 | 400 | |
| 10 | Mansfield | $43,980 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cleveland run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $45,390 goes as far as $48,912 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,912US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,390 a year, 24.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,260 to $65,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,230 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sandusky, at $57,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Cleveland, OH?
The median annual wage is $45,390, or $21.82 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,280, so pay in Cleveland, OH is 24.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Cleveland, OH earns more than $65,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,260 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sandusky, at $57,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,230 jobs in this occupation in Cleveland, OH. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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