SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Missoula
Missoula, MT · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Missoula, MT is $46,360 per year, 23.1% below the national median of $60,280.
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 Missoula, MT is $46,360 per year, 23.1% below the national median of $60,280. Half of workers earn between $41,500 and $59,490. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $37,160 and the ninetieth at $82,140.
The area has 140 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Helena records the highest median at $59,850. Of the 289 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 202nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,160 | −38.4% |
| 25th | $41,500 | −31.2% |
| Median (50th) | $46,360 | −23.1% |
| 75th | $59,490 | −1.3% |
| 90th | $82,140 | +36.3% |
| Mean | $51,110 | −15.2% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $59,850 | 90 | |
| 2 | Great Falls | $45,160 | 50 | |
| 3 | Billings | $43,310 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missoula run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $46,360 goes as far as $49,006 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,360as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,006US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,360 a year, 23.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,160 to $82,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Helena, at $59,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Missoula, MT?
The median annual wage is $46,360, or $22.29 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 Missoula, MT is 23.1% 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 Missoula, MT earns more than $82,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,160 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 Helena, at $59,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Missoula, MT. 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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