Salaries › Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker › Iowa
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary in Iowa (2026)
$23.33 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,330/year ($3,277/month) for a single filer
Iowa ranks 38th of 51 states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay, with a median about 22% below the national average. Of the 1,200 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs BLS counts in Iowa, the typical worker earns $48,530 a year — though pay ranges from $37,980 for newcomers to $80,760 at the top.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay range in Iowa
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,980 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $44,630 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $48,530 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $66,180 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $80,760 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,200 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in Iowa (occupation code 21-1023, “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Iowa
A median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary of $48,530 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Iowa state income tax, a single filer keeps about $39,330 — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
| Gross (median) | $48,530 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,644 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,713 |
| Iowa state income tax | −$1,844 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,330 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,277 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Iowa paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker make in Iowa?
- The median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary in Iowa is $48,530 per year ($23.33 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $44,630 and $66,180.
- What is the take-home pay for a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker in Iowa?
- On the median salary of $48,530, a single filer in Iowa takes home about $39,330 per year ($3,277 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
- How many Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs are there in Iowa?
- BLS counts 1,200 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in Iowa in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
Other salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa 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 Iowa.