Salaries › Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker › Illinois
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary in Illinois (2026)
$24.02 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,850/year ($3,321/month) for a single filer
Illinois ranks 34th of 51 states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay, with a median about 20% below the national average. Of the 3,460 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs BLS counts in Illinois, the typical worker earns $49,960 a year — though pay ranges from $39,910 for newcomers to $79,050 at the top.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay range in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $39,910 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $46,290 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $49,960 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $69,210 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $79,050 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,460 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in Illinois (occupation code 21-1023, “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Illinois
A median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary of $49,960 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Illinois state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,850 — an effective tax rate of 20.2%.
| Gross (median) | $49,960 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,815 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,822 |
| Illinois state income tax | −$2,473 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,850 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,321 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Illinois paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker make in Illinois?
- The median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary in Illinois is $49,960 per year ($24.02 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $46,290 and $69,210.
- What is the take-home pay for a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker in Illinois?
- On the median salary of $49,960, a single filer in Illinois takes home about $39,850 per year ($3,321 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.2%.
- How many Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs are there in Illinois?
- BLS counts 3,460 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in Illinois in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
Other salaries in Illinois
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Illinois state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Illinois.