Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$48,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#39 of 51
2,490 employed here

How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Indiana?

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in Indiana earn a median salary of $48,300 per year, or about $23.22 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $36,290 while the top 10% make $77,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,580 and $64,610 a year.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,290$17.45
25th percentile (early career)$42,580$20.47
50th percentile (median)$48,300$23.22
75th percentile (experienced)$64,610$31.06
90th percentile (top earners)$77,780$37.39

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$79,380
2California$79,000
3Connecticut$78,640
4Minnesota$75,020
5Maryland$73,580

Working as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Indiana

Nationally, about 133,000 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Indiana pay ($48,300) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Indiana?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Indiana is $48,300 per year, or about $23.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,290 at the entry level to $77,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 20% less than the national median of $60,280. Indiana ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,300 a year. About 2,490 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in Indiana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.