SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Ohio
Ohio · 10 metro areas compared
In Ohio the median wage is $46,080.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Ohio the median wage is $46,080. That is 23.6% lower than the national median of $60,280. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $38,170 and $57,960. The lowest tenth earn under $34,700, while the highest tenth earn more than $75,610.
Employment stands at 6,050, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Ohio ranks 45th by median wage. Sandusky leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $57,470. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 583rd of 774 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,700 | −42.4% |
| 25th | $38,170 | −36.7% |
| Median (50th) | $46,080 | −23.6% |
| 75th | $57,960 | −3.8% |
| 90th | $75,610 | +25.4% |
| Mean | $51,110 | −15.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandusky | $57,470 | 50 | |
| 2 | Canton | $49,700 | 190 | |
| 3 | Lima | $47,910 | 50 | |
| 4 | Columbus | $47,820 | 1,050 | |
| 5 | Akron | $46,760 | 330 | |
| 6 | Toledo | $46,600 | 350 | |
| 7 | Cincinnati | $45,390 | 970 | |
| 8 | Cleveland | $45,390 | 1,230 | |
| 9 | Springfield | $45,120 | 60 | |
| 10 | Dayton | $44,100 | 400 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ohio run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $46,080 goes as far as $49,655 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,080as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,655US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,080 a year, 23.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,700 to $75,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,050 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 45th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sandusky, at $57,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Ohio?
The median annual wage is $46,080, or $22.16 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 Ohio is 23.6% 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 Ohio earns more than $75,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,700 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 Sandusky, at $57,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,050 jobs in this occupation in Ohio. 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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