SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Milwaukee, WI is $62,770 per year, close to the national median of $60,280 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Milwaukee, WI is $62,770 per year, close to the national median of $60,280 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $51,710 and $81,580. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,540 and the ninetieth at $96,860.
Employment stands at 600, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, La Crosse records the highest median at $66,770. Of the 593 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 292nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,540 | −22.8% |
| 25th | $51,710 | −14.2% |
| Median (50th) | $62,770 | +4.1% |
| 75th | $81,580 | +35.3% |
| 90th | $96,860 | +60.7% |
| Mean | $67,850 | +12.6% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Crosse | $66,770 | 30 | |
| 2 | Madison | $63,690 | 220 | |
| 3 | Appleton | $62,100 | 50 | |
| 4 | Wausau | $61,780 | 150 | |
| 5 | Janesville | $60,800 | 30 | |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $60,210 | 50 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $54,200 | 110 | |
| 8 | Sheboygan | $54,160 | 30 | |
| 9 | Racine | $49,920 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $62,770 goes as far as $66,706 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,770as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,706US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,770 a year, 4.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,540 to $96,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 600 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is La Crosse, at $66,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $62,770, or $30.18 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 Milwaukee, WI is 4.1% higher. 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 Milwaukee, WI earns more than $96,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,540 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 La Crosse, at $66,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 600 jobs in this occupation in Milwaukee, WI. 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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