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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Montana Median
$45,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#46 of 51
740 employed here

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

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in Montana earn a median salary of $45,160 per year, or about $21.71 per hour. That is 25% below the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.

Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $37,960 while the top 10% make $82,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,760 and $59,850 a year.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in Montana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,960$18.25
25th percentile (early career)$39,760$19.12
50th percentile (median)$45,160$21.71
75th percentile (experienced)$59,850$28.77
90th percentile (top earners)$82,390$39.61

How Montana compares

Montana ranks 46th 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 Montana

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 Montana pay ($45,160) 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 Montana?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Montana is $45,160 per year, or about $21.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,960 at the entry level to $82,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 25% less than the national median of $60,280. Montana ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,160 a year. About 740 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in Montana. 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 Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), 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.