Social Worker Salary
Social workers earn a median salary of $58,380 per year across all specialties, with healthcare social workers earning the most at $62,940 and strong salary growth for those with clinical licensure.
Taylor Rupe
B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle
Key Takeaways
- The overall median social worker salary is $58,380 according to BLS data, with a wide range from $36,600 (10th percentile) to $82,840 (90th percentile).
- Healthcare social workers earn the highest specialty median at $62,940, followed by mental health/substance abuse social workers ($55,960) and child/family/school social workers ($53,940).
- Federal government social work positions pay a median of $82,760, making government employment the highest-paying sector for social workers.
- Social workers with an MSW and LCSW licensure earn significantly more than BSW-level practitioners, especially in private practice ($70,000-$120,000+).
- Employment is projected to grow 7% through 2033, with about 75,200 annual openings ensuring strong job availability across all specialties.
Social worker salaries vary significantly depending on your specialty, education level, and work setting. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks three social worker categories: child, family, and school social workers (median $53,940), healthcare social workers (median $62,940), and mental health and substance abuse social workers (median $55,960).
The overall median across all social workers is $58,380 per year. Healthcare social workers consistently earn the most, driven by demand in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and aging-related services. Social workers with an MSW and clinical licensure (LCSW) earn above these medians, particularly in private practice settings. The National Association of Social Workers has advocated for higher reimbursement rates and pay equity to address the gap between social work compensation and the demands of the profession.
How Much Do Social Workers Make?
The overall social worker median of $58,380 combines three distinct BLS categories. Healthcare social workers (SOC 21-1022) earn the most at $62,940, reflecting the specialized nature of medical social work and the integration of social workers into hospital care teams. Mental health and substance abuse social workers (SOC 21-1023) earn $55,960, while child, family, and school social workers (SOC 21-1021) earn $53,940.
These medians capture the full range of licensure levels, from BSW-level case managers to LCSW-holding clinicians. Social workers with clinical licensure earn well above these medians, and those in private practice or administrative roles can earn $80,000 to $120,000+. The salary figures should be evaluated alongside the strong job security, loan forgiveness eligibility, and non-monetary benefits that characterize many social work positions.
10th Percentile
$36,600
Median
$58,380
90th Percentile
$82,840
Social Worker Salary by State
| State | Median Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $73,350 | 58,000+ |
| New Jersey | $70,100 | 12,500+ |
| Connecticut | $68,900 | 6,800+ |
| Massachusetts | $67,400 | 14,200+ |
| Washington | $66,500 | 10,100+ |
| Maryland | $65,200 | 9,800+ |
| New York | $64,800 | 42,000+ |
| Oregon | $63,100 | 5,900+ |
| Minnesota | $62,400 | 8,700+ |
| Colorado | $61,500 | 7,200+ |
Social Worker Salary by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level / BSW (0-2 years) | $36,000-$45,000 |
| Early Career / MSW (2-5 years) | $48,000-$60,000 |
| Mid-Career / LCSW (6-12 years) | $58,000-$78,000 |
| Senior / Director Level (13+ years) | $75,000-$105,000+ |
Social Worker Salary by Employer Type
| Employer Type | Salary |
|---|---|
| Federal Government | $75,000-$95,000 |
| Hospitals & Health Systems | $55,000-$72,000 |
| State & Local Government | $50,000-$68,000 |
| Private Practice (LCSW) | $70,000-$120,000+ |
| Community Mental Health / Nonprofits | $42,000-$58,000 |
Social Worker Salary by Education Level
| Education Level | Salary |
|---|---|
| BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) | $36,000-$50,000 |
| MSW (Master of Social Work) | $50,000-$68,000 |
| MSW + LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) | $58,000-$90,000+ |
| MSW/DSW + Administrative/Director Role | $80,000-$120,000+ |
How to Increase Your Social Worker Salary
Social worker salaries improve significantly with advanced education, clinical licensure, and strategic career decisions. The National Association of Social Workers reports that LCSWs earn substantially more than MSW holders without clinical licensure, and that specialization in high-demand areas creates additional earning leverage.
- Earn your LCSW as quickly as possible. The clinical license is the single biggest salary differentiator in social work, unlocking independent practice, higher insurance reimbursement rates, and supervisory roles.
- Specialize in high-demand areas like healthcare social work, geriatric care, or substance abuse treatment. These specialties consistently pay above the social work median due to strong institutional demand.
- Target federal government positions, which pay a median of $82,760 for social workers. VA medical centers, military installations, and federal agencies offer competitive salaries with excellent benefits and retirement plans.
- Build toward a private practice after gaining agency experience. LCSWs with full caseloads in private practice earn $80,000-$120,000+, though it takes time to build the referral network and business infrastructure.
- Pursue administrative and program director roles. Social workers with management skills and MSW/DSW credentials can earn $90,000-$130,000+ directing programs at hospitals, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Related Pages
How to Become a Social Worker
Education requirements, BSW vs. MSW paths, licensing steps, and what daily social work practice looks like.
Clinical Social Worker Salary
Detailed salary data specifically for LCSWs, including private practice earnings and the clinical licensure premium.
Best Online MSW Programs
Our ranked list of CSWE-accredited online MSW programs for advancing your social work career and salary.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Social Workers (2024)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Child, Family, and School Social Workers (May 2023)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Healthcare Social Workers (May 2023)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (May 2023)
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the median salary of $58,380, social workers earn approximately $28.07 per hour in salaried positions. Healthcare social workers earn about $30.26 per hour ($62,940 median), while child/family/school social workers earn about $25.93 per hour ($53,940 median). Social workers in private practice (LCSW) typically charge $100-$200 per therapy session, which translates to a higher effective hourly rate, though this needs to account for time spent on documentation, marketing, and practice management.
It depends on your definition and your career stage. The entry-level median of $36,000-$45,000 is modest, especially for those carrying student loan debt. But social work salaries improve significantly with experience, licensure, and specialization. Mid-career LCSWs earn $58,000-$78,000, and private practice or administrative social workers can reach $80,000-$120,000+. When evaluating social work compensation, also consider the non-monetary benefits that many positions offer: federal loan forgiveness eligibility (PSLF), stable government employment with pensions, flexible schedules, and the ability to transition between settings throughout your career.
Healthcare social workers earn the highest BLS median at $62,940, but the real answer is that LCSWs in private practice and social workers in administrative/director roles earn the most overall. Private practice LCSWs with full caseloads can earn $80,000-$120,000+. Social workers who move into program direction, hospital administration, or policy roles can earn $90,000-$130,000+. Federal government social workers also earn well above average at $82,760 median with comprehensive benefits.
For most career paths in social work, yes. BSW holders earn a median of $36,000-$50,000, while MSW holders earn $50,000-$68,000, and those who go on to earn the LCSW earn $58,000-$90,000+. The MSW typically costs $30,000-$60,000 for in-state programs and can be completed in one year with advanced standing (BSW holders) or two years otherwise. The salary jump from BSW to MSW is roughly $12,000-$18,000 annually, meaning the degree pays for itself within 2-5 years. The LCSW, which requires the MSW, adds another significant salary increase. The strongest financial case for the MSW is when you can access advanced standing (saving a year of tuition) and pursue clinical licensure afterward.
The salaries are very similar. The BLS median for social workers overall is $58,380, compared to $59,190 for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. At the clinical licensure level (LCSW vs. LPC), the salaries converge further: both LCSWs and LPCs in private practice earn $70,000-$120,000+ depending on caseload and location. The social work advantage shows up in government and healthcare settings, where MSW holders are often preferred. The counseling advantage can appear in states with higher insurance reimbursement rates for LPCs.
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