Social Work Degree and Career Guide

Degrees in Social Work

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How Much Does a Social Worker Make?

Social work salaries don’t top the charts, but you’ll more than compensate for money with the rewards of the profession.

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Median Annual Social Worker Salary

Social workers may not earn the largest salaries, but the potential for growth and job satisfaction is there. Take a look at social worker median annual salaries, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics below.

Social Workers, All Other

National data

Median Salary: $63,770

Projected job growth: 6.6%

10th Percentile: $39,580

25th Percentile: $47,770

75th Percentile: $87,730

90th Percentile: $104,580

Projected job growth: 6.6%

State data

State Median Salary Bottom 10% Top 10%
Alabama $83,470 $46,650 $102,090
Alaska $57,630 $43,890 $110,100
Arizona $57,640 $42,440 $101,670
Arkansas $44,370 $39,690 $99,380
California $63,680 $41,060 $120,870
Colorado $52,150 $40,890 $90,310
Connecticut $66,750 $50,990 $103,250
Delaware $79,620 $49,840 $111,340
District of Columbia $99,110 $55,540 $123,740
Florida $48,980 $36,230 $96,620
Georgia $78,740 $39,200 $118,960
Hawaii $95,870 $50,740 $121,890
Idaho $52,790 $42,850 $96,620
Illinois $63,630 $38,200 $101,500
Indiana $76,710 $49,310 $96,620
Iowa $77,830 $39,350 $102,940
Kansas $86,130 $69,100 $100,820
Kentucky $46,510 $37,110 $99,380
Louisiana $58,570 $30,780 $96,620
Maine $55,220 $44,410 $82,830
Maryland $66,600 $47,050 $109,890
Massachusetts $82,910 $49,000 $108,700
Michigan $61,710 $38,230 $101,940
Minnesota $70,100 $47,580 $94,760
Mississippi $82,830 $39,180 $99,380
Missouri $49,910 $37,660 $93,890
Montana $46,090 $35,710 $85,570
Nebraska $62,740 $34,870 $96,240
Nevada $100,240 $44,350 $131,370
New Hampshire $93,270 $77,730 $111,800
New Jersey $61,160 $37,740 $103,250
New Mexico $62,590 $52,000 $99,380
New York $79,040 $59,030 $104,980
North Carolina $59,320 $43,740 $103,540
North Dakota $71,900 $45,230 $93,870
Ohio $60,050 $36,240 $94,890
Oklahoma $93,870 $69,100 $110,160
Oregon $61,140 $44,540 $84,010
Pennsylvania $65,770 $35,110 $104,980
Rhode Island $93,350 $77,730 $111,800
South Carolina $82,830 $38,550 $102,150
South Dakota $85,300 $59,380 $99,530
Tennessee $47,060 $29,860 $98,840
Texas $82,910 $38,890 $121,080
Utah $52,830 $39,420 $106,020
Vermont $74,840 $48,940 $104,920
Virginia $79,360 $44,620 $109,890
Washington $94,250 $64,230 $113,780
West Virginia $77,380 $41,150 $104,350
Wisconsin $57,360 $41,710 $84,240
Wyoming $61,680 $50,000 $114,170

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

How do social worker salaries compare?

Career Median Annual Salary
Social Workers, All Other $63,770
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $53,940
Healthcare Social Workers $62,940
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $55,960
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $49,690

Is there demand for this career?

Demand for social workers will increase across all areas of specialization, but in general, the demand for social workers in health care and social services will remain high.

Demand for child, family and school social workers should remain high because they will be needed in cases of abuse and foster care or adoption procedures. One limitation to demand in this area may be budget constraints in government, and funding cuts for schools and education facilities.

Health care social workers should find ample employment as baby boomers age and families seek care for their elderly relations.

Mental health and substance abuse social workers should also find ample opportunity as people seek treatment for mental health issues and addictions. Because offenders are now more frequently sent to treatment programs rather than face incarceration, social workers will play an important role in their rehabilitation.

What is the job growth for the field?

If you pursue a social work degree, will there be jobs available when you graduate? The outlook is great! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ current Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of social workers is expected to increase by 7.4% through 2032, which is faster than the national average for all other occupations. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

How much competition will I face for a job?

Competition for jobs will be high with a bachelor’s degree, but those who earn their Master’s in Social Work (MSW) should find employment opportunities directly out of school. Those who attain Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) stature can maintain a private practice or work in any number of career fields and organizations such as prisons, private companies and corporations, and school systems.

How can I increase my earning potential?

There are a several ways you could possibly increase your earnings as a social worker, from specializing to advancing your education.

A list of four ways you could increase your earning potential as a social worker

What kind of companies hire social workers?

Take a look below to see where social workers are working today.

The BLS says that the following industries employ the most social workers:

  • Individual and family services
  • State and local government agencies
  • Ambulatory healthcare services
  • Elementary and secondary schools
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Mental health and substance abuse clinics

How do I advance in my social work career?

Though a bachelor’s degree is the requirement for most direct-services social workers, earning a master’s degree will help considerably if you want to move up the ladder and become a clinical social worker.

Another way to improve your job outlook is to become licensed. Licensing varies by state, but all states require some type of certification, and all states require clinical social workers to be licensed.

Still, no discussion of social work salary and job outlook is complete without talking about the rewards that money can’t buy. Dollars and cents aside, social work is a career where making a difference is not an empty buzzword, but an exciting and very real opportunity.

If you are serious about changing the world for the better, consider starting your education for a career in social work now.