SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Detroit
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $59,520 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $59,520 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,280. Half of workers earn between $49,970 and $71,040. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $41,310 and the ninetieth at $82,100.
The area has 1,780 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Lansing leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $64,080. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 348th of 671 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,310 | −31.5% |
| 25th | $49,970 | −17.1% |
| Median (50th) | $59,520 | −1.3% |
| 75th | $71,040 | +17.9% |
| 90th | $82,100 | +36.2% |
| Mean | $61,560 | +2.1% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansing | $64,080 | 420 | |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $63,770 | 230 | |
| 3 | Saginaw | $61,980 | 150 | |
| 4 | Midland | $60,440 | 70 | |
| 5 | Kalamazoo | $60,340 | 230 | |
| 6 | Flint | $60,250 | 280 | |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | $58,970 | 410 | |
| 8 | Muskegon | $58,960 | 80 | |
| 9 | Traverse City | $55,260 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Detroit run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $59,520 goes as far as $61,871 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,871US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,520 a year, 1.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,310 to $82,100 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,780 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lansing, at $64,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Detroit, MI?
The median annual wage is $59,520, or $28.62 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 Detroit, MI is 1.3% 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 Detroit, MI earns more than $82,100 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,310 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 Lansing, at $64,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,780 jobs in this occupation in Detroit, MI. 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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