Salaries › Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker › Tennessee
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary in Tennessee (2026)
$22.36 per hour · take-home ≈ $39,543/year ($3,295/month) for a single filer
Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay, with a median about 25% below the national average. Of the 2,220 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs BLS counts in Tennessee, the typical worker earns $46,500 a year — though pay ranges from $38,320 for newcomers to $68,430 at the top.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker pay range in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $38,320 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $42,780 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $46,500 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $55,310 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $68,430 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,220 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in Tennessee (occupation code 21-1023, “Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers”).
Gross vs. take-home in Tennessee
A median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary of $46,500 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Tennessee), a single filer keeps about $39,543 — an effective tax rate of 15.0%.
| Gross (median) | $46,500 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,400 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,557 |
| Tennessee state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $39,543 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,295 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Tennessee paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker make in Tennessee?
- The median Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker salary in Tennessee is $46,500 per year ($22.36 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $42,780 and $55,310.
- What is the take-home pay for a Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker in Tennessee?
- On the median salary of $46,500, a single filer in Tennessee takes home about $39,543 per year ($3,295 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.0%.
- How many Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs are there in Tennessee?
- BLS counts 2,220 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Worker jobs in Tennessee in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
Other salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee.