SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Kansas City
Kansas City, MO-KS · 5 metro areas compared
At $58,320, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kansas City, MO tracks the national median of $60,280 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $58,320, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kansas City, MO tracks the national median of $60,280 closely. Pay ranges from under $43,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $81,530 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,740 to $66,290.
Employment stands at 960, or 0.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Columbia records the highest median at $54,140. Of the 613 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 318th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,180 | −28.4% |
| 25th | $51,740 | −14.2% |
| Median (50th) | $58,320 | −3.3% |
| 75th | $66,290 | +10.0% |
| 90th | $81,530 | +35.3% |
| Mean | $60,740 | +0.8% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $54,140 | 60 | |
| 2 | Jefferson City | $50,170 | 50 | |
| 3 | St. Louis | $49,520 | 820 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $47,370 | 100 | |
| 5 | Joplin | $44,420 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kansas City run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $58,320 goes as far as $64,229 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,229US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,320 a year, 3.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,180 to $81,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $54,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Kansas City, MO?
The median annual wage is $58,320, or $28.04 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 Kansas City, MO is 3.3% 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 Kansas City, MO earns more than $81,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,180 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 Columbia, at $54,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 jobs in this occupation in Kansas City, MO. 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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