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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Nebraska Median
$43,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#47 of 51
900 employed here

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

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in Nebraska earn a median salary of $43,240 per year, or about $20.79 per hour. That is 28% below the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.

Within Nebraska, entry-level pay starts around $35,760 while the top 10% make $59,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,230 and $51,890 a year.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in Nebraska

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,760$17.19
25th percentile (early career)$37,230$17.90
50th percentile (median)$43,240$20.79
75th percentile (experienced)$51,890$24.95
90th percentile (top earners)$59,160$28.44

How Nebraska compares

Nebraska ranks 47th 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 Nebraska

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 Nebraska pay ($43,240) 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 Nebraska?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Nebraska is $43,240 per year, or about $20.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,760 at the entry level to $59,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Nebraska pay compare to the national average?
Nebraska pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 28% less than the national median of $60,280. Nebraska ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Nebraska a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,240 a year. About 900 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in Nebraska. 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 Nebraska?
The highest-paying occupations in Nebraska include Cardiologist ($646,300), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($507,770), Emergency Medicine Physician ($371,880), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

Related salaries

Healthcare Social Worker

$67,880
median pay · 188,000 employed

Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

$56,730
median pay · 108,000 employed

Social and Human Service Assistants

$45,930
median pay · 438,000 employed

Rehabilitation Counselor

$46,850
median pay · 95,000 employed
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.