SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Missouri
Missouri · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Missouri is $49,560 per year, 17.8% 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 Missouri is $49,560 per year, 17.8% below the national median of $60,280. Half of workers earn between $43,350 and $59,200. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,610 and the ninetieth at $72,800.
Employment stands at 1,640, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Missouri ranks number 35th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Kansas City records the highest median at $58,320. Of the 733 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 456th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,610 | −35.9% |
| 25th | $43,350 | −28.1% |
| Median (50th) | $49,560 | −17.8% |
| 75th | $59,200 | −1.8% |
| 90th | $72,800 | +20.8% |
| Mean | $53,470 | −11.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $58,320 | 960 | |
| 2 | Columbia | $54,140 | 60 | |
| 3 | Jefferson City | $50,170 | 50 | |
| 4 | St. Louis | $49,520 | 820 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $47,370 | 100 | |
| 6 | Joplin | $44,420 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $49,560 goes as far as $54,581 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,560as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,581US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,560 a year, 17.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,610 to $72,800 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,640 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 35th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kansas City, at $58,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Missouri?
The median annual wage is $49,560, or $23.83 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 Missouri is 17.8% 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 Missouri earns more than $72,800 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,610 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 Kansas City, at $58,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,640 jobs in this occupation in Missouri. 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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