Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 17 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Evanston, Highland Park.
Also listed as: Master Social Worker
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $43,200 |
| 25th | $50,000 |
| 50th (median) | $60,000 |
| 75th | $64,000 |
| 90th | $92,000 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker salary of $60,000 is worth about $57,900 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $57,720 in May 2025 (2,450 employed). The H-1B median here is $60,000, 4% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Ada S. McKinley Community Services | too few | 3 |
| Chinese American Service League | too few | 3 |
| Connections Health | too few | 3 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois | too few | 2 |
| Roamers Therapy | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 4 |
| Senior · Level III | – | 0 |
| Expert · Level IV | too few | 2 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.