SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Minnesota
Minnesota · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Minnesota comes to $75,020 a year, ahead of the national median of $60,280 by 24.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Minnesota comes to $75,020 a year, ahead of the national median of $60,280 by 24.5%. Pay ranges from under $50,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $98,520 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $60,080 to $85,990.
Employment stands at 3,590, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Minnesota ranks number 4th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Mankato records the highest median at $83,530. Of the 721 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 305th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,950 | −15.5% |
| 25th | $60,080 | −0.3% |
| Median (50th) | $75,020 | +24.5% |
| 75th | $85,990 | +42.7% |
| 90th | $98,520 | +63.4% |
| Mean | $74,420 | +23.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Minnesota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mankato | $83,530 | 90 | |
| 2 | Rochester | $77,030 | 110 | |
| 3 | Minneapolis | $75,020 | 2,500 | |
| 4 | Duluth | $70,390 | 190 | |
| 5 | St. Cloud | $68,240 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Minnesota sit close to the national average, so $75,020 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$75,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
98.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,085US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $75,020 a year, 24.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,950 to $98,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,590 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 4th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Mankato, at $83,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Minnesota?
The median annual wage is $75,020, or $36.07 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 Minnesota is 24.5% 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 Minnesota earns more than $98,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,950 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 Mankato, at $83,530 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,590 jobs in this occupation in Minnesota. 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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