Social workers in the US earn $64,000 on average — with clinical social workers and healthcare settings paying significantly more.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for child, family, and school social workers, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $42,280 | $20.33 |
| 25th | $48,270 | $23.21 |
| 50th (median) | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| 75th | $76,070 | $36.57 |
| 90th | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Average (mean) | $64,000 | $30.77 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Child, Family, and School Social Workers (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Social Worker Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $64,000 |
| Median salary | $59,550 |
| Entry level (BSW) | $38,000-$48,000 |
| MSW level | $50,000-$65,000 |
| LCSW (clinical) | $60,000-$85,000 |
| Hourly rate | $26.61 |
Social Worker Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Degree Required |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,500 | MSW |
| Mental Health/Substance Abuse | $51,240 | MSW |
| Child/Family Social Worker | $50,820 | BSW or MSW |
| School Social Worker | $61,080 | MSW (usually) |
| Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) | $65,000-$85,000 | MSW + licensure |
| Private Practice LCSW | $80,000-$120,000 | MSW + licensure |
Social Worker Salary by Setting
| Work Setting | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Private practice | $80,000-$120,000 | Self-employed |
| Hospitals | $60,000-$75,000 | Benefits |
| Federal government | $75,000-$90,000 | Strong benefits |
| Home health services | $56,000-$68,000 | Travel |
| Schools | $55,000-$70,000 | School schedule |
| State government | $50,000-$65,000 | Stability |
| Nursing facilities | $50,000-$60,000 | Steady work |
| Nonprofits | $42,000-$55,000 | Mission-driven |
| Community mental health | $45,000-$55,000 | High need |
Social Worker Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $80,180 | $48,660 | $78,970 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $79,540 | $53,020 | $73,550 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $78,560 | $47,830 | $76,280 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $77,060 | $48,140 | $75,570 |
| 5 | Maryland | $75,400 | $41,240 | $76,390 |
| 6 | Washington | $74,100 | $48,750 | $74,480 |
| 7 | New York | $72,150 | $48,400 | $65,100 |
| 8 | California | $71,940 | $45,360 | $65,200 |
| 9 | Minnesota | $70,890 | $47,890 | $67,450 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $70,810 | $42,560 | $69,870 |
| 11 | Colorado | $70,760 | $45,980 | $63,720 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $70,740 | $41,150 | $71,010 |
| 13 | Illinois | $70,670 | $47,120 | $63,220 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $69,450 | $46,840 | $68,270 |
| 15 | Oregon | $68,400 | $47,760 | $64,130 |
| 16 | Vermont | $66,970 | $47,270 | $67,340 |
| 17 | Virginia | $66,500 | $45,060 | $61,330 |
| 18 | Maine | $66,180 | $50,110 | $63,290 |
| 19 | Alaska | $66,110 | $45,330 | $62,630 |
| 20 | Nevada | $65,930 | $45,960 | $61,080 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $65,640 | $47,130 | $64,560 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $63,790 | $36,920 | $56,160 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $61,310 | $44,400 | $59,280 |
| 24 | Michigan | $61,060 | $41,260 | $59,270 |
| 25 | Idaho | $59,900 | $37,990 | $59,840 |
| 26 | Utah | $59,670 | $36,040 | $52,000 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $59,660 | $42,870 | $59,610 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $59,270 | $39,210 | $59,100 |
| 29 | Florida | $57,970 | $39,760 | $56,550 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $57,350 | $39,650 | $56,310 |
| 31 | Iowa | $57,120 | $39,240 | $52,250 |
| 32 | Kansas | $56,360 | $43,690 | $54,300 |
| 33 | Ohio | $55,750 | $39,810 | $51,520 |
| 34 | Texas | $55,700 | $37,230 | $55,680 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $55,330 | $38,430 | $50,820 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $55,090 | $34,280 | $56,420 |
| 37 | Delaware | $54,650 | $44,440 | $48,520 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $54,450 | $35,260 | $56,800 |
| 39 | Georgia | $54,390 | $35,690 | $47,510 |
| 40 | Montana | $54,100 | $39,250 | $56,780 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $53,860 | $38,530 | $51,800 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $53,320 | $39,150 | $51,100 |
| 43 | Indiana | $53,290 | $38,270 | $50,470 |
| 44 | West Virginia | $52,610 | $38,410 | $52,220 |
| 45 | Arizona | $52,420 | $40,420 | $50,150 |
| 46 | Alabama | $51,720 | $37,780 | $46,660 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $51,650 | $41,620 | $47,770 |
| 48 | Missouri | $51,360 | $37,200 | $48,520 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $47,750 | $33,590 | $46,530 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $46,730 | $37,560 | $43,950 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $46,390 | $36,070 | $43,330 |
| — | National | $64,000 | $42,280 | $59,550 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Child, Family, and School Social Workers (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Social Worker Licensure Levels
| License | Requirements | Salary Impact |
|---|---|---|
| BSW (entry) | Bachelor’s degree | $40,000-$50,000 |
| LSW/LMSW | MSW degree | $50,000-$60,000 |
| LCSW | MSW + 2-3 years supervised + exam | $60,000-$85,000 |
| LCSW-C/LICSW | Advanced clinical | $70,000-$100,000 |
The LCSW credential significantly increases earning potential and allows private practice.
Path to LCSW
| Step | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 4 years | $40,000-$160,000 |
| MSW program | 2 years | $30,000-$100,000 |
| Supervised clinical hours | 2-3 years | Paid (earning salary) |
| LCSW exam | 1 month | $230-$340 |
| Total time to LCSW | 8-9 years | — |
Some accelerated MSW programs take 1 year for those with BSW.
LCSW Private Practice Income
Self-employed clinical social workers can earn significantly more:
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Session rate | $100-$180/session |
| Insurance reimbursement | $80-$130/session |
| Sessions per week | 20-30 typical |
| Gross revenue | $100,000-$250,000 |
| Overhead (25-40%) | $25,000-$75,000 |
| Net income | $75,000-$175,000 |
Most private practice LCSWs maintain a mix of insurance and private-pay clients.
Social Worker Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | BSW | MSW/LSW | LCSW |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry (0-2 years) | $38,000 | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Early (2-5 years) | $42,000 | $54,000 | $65,000 |
| Mid (5-10 years) | $46,000 | $60,000 | $75,000 |
| Senior (10+ years) | $50,000 | $68,000 | $85,000 |
Social Worker Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45,000 | $3,220 | $3,442 | $38,338 | $3,195 |
| $64,000 | $5,500 | $4,896 | $53,604 | $4,467 |
| $70,000 | $6,570 | $5,355 | $58,075 | $4,840 |
| $95,000 | $12,070 | $7,268 | $75,662 | $6,305 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
VA and Federal Social Worker Pay
Federal social workers earn above average with excellent benefits:
| GS Level | Salary Range | Typical Role |
|---|---|---|
| GS-9 | $55,000-$72,000 | Entry MSW |
| GS-11 | $67,000-$87,000 | Experienced MSW |
| GS-12 | $80,000-$104,000 | LCSW |
| GS-13 | $95,000-$124,000 | Senior/Supervisor |
Plus pension, health insurance, and PSLF eligibility.
School Social Worker Salary
| Experience | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry | $50,000-$55,000 |
| Mid-career | $58,000-$68,000 |
| Senior | $65,000-$80,000 |
Plus teacher-like benefits: summers off, pension, and job security.
Job Outlook
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 4.4% |
| Annual openings | ~67,500 |
| Competition | Moderate |
| Demand drivers | Mental health, aging population |
Social work is experiencing strong demand across all specialties.
Is Social Work a Good Career?
Pros:
- Meaningful, helping work
- Strong job growth
- Multiple career paths
- PSLF loan forgiveness eligible
- Private practice option (LCSW)
Cons:
- Lower pay than many professions
- High burnout rates
- Emotionally demanding
- Heavy caseloads
- Vicarious trauma risk
How to Maximize Social Worker Salary
- Get LCSW licensure — Opens private practice and higher positions
- Work in healthcare — Hospitals generally pay above average
- Federal/VA employment — $70,000-$100,000+ with benefits
- Private practice — $100,000+ potential
- Move to high-paying states — California, New Jersey, DC
- Pursue PSLF — 10-year loan forgiveness for public sector
Bottom Line
Social workers earn $55,350 average, but LCSW credentials unlock $70,000-$100,000+ salaries. Healthcare settings and private practice offer the best pay. The career provides meaningful work with strong job growth, but lower compensation compared to other master’s-level professions. PSLF loan forgiveness improves the financial equation for those in public sector roles.
Related Salary Guides
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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