Careers · Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers · Illinois

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Illinois

Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals dealing with mental, emotional, or addiction problems involving alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. They work in hospitals, clinics, community centers, private practice, and correctional facilities, providing therapy, crisis intervention, case management, and prevention education to help clients stabilize and improve their lives. In Illinois the median pay is $49,960 a year, 17% below the national median of $60,280.

$49,960median pay in Illinois, per year

$46,290–$69,210middle half earn

3,460employed in Illinois

$60,280U.S. median, for comparison

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Who is hiring in Illinois

420open roles like this on employer career sites, 55 in Illinois or remote

9employers hiring

87posted in the last 7 days

CA · IL · Remotewhere most openings are

Openings in Illinois and remote

District of Columbia (DC) Remote Mental Health Licensed Therapist, 1099 Contractor · Headspace · USA · Remote
Staff Psychologist - Primary Care Mental Health Integration - PCMHI · Veterans Health Administration · Danville, Illinois · $98799–$183063
Clinical Psychologist (Mental Health Consultant) · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Great Lakes, Illinois · $118984–$154682
Registered Nurse - ABJ CBOC Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery RN · Veterans Health Administration · Chicago, Illinois · $80018–$149392
Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor (OPMH) · Veterans Health Administration · Carbondale, Illinois · $68281–$107405
Nurse (Mental Health Care Facilitator) · Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Great Lakes, Illinois · $101437–$128821
RN- Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery- Case Management · Veterans Health Administration · Hines, Illinois · $80018–$149392
Licensed Mental Health Professional (LPC/LMFT/LCSW/LMHC) - Savannah, GA · OptiMindHealth · United States · Remote

Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.

What it takes

Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most hold a master’s degree.

Skills that matter most

Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringCoordinationService Orientation

Knowledge areas

Therapy and CounselingPsychologyEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingSociology and Anthropology

Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers.

Licenses and training in Illinois

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in other states

New York · $79,380 California · $79,000 Connecticut · $78,640 Minnesota · $75,020 Maryland · $73,580 District of Columbia · $73,310 Vermont · $73,210 Washington · $70,460 Oregon · $68,210 New Jersey · $66,590

Related occupations

Child, Family, and School Social Workers Healthcare Social Workers Social Workers, All Other Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Marriage and Family Therapists Mental Health Counselors Rehabilitation Counselors

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against mental health and substance abuse social workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

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O*NET-SOC 21-1023.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Illinois, annual.