How much does a social worker make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $34.57 an hour or $5,992 a month.
- Hourly
- $34.57
- Average (mean)
- $75,910
- Jobs
- 62,930
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,620 | $20.97 | |
| 25th | $51,900 | $24.95 | |
| Median | $71,900 | $34.57 | |
| 75th | $97,040 | $46.65 | |
| 90th | $115,600 | $55.58 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Nevada | $121,800 |
| Hawaii | $116,100 |
| Rhode Island | $111,600 |
| New Hampshire | $103,700 |
| Washington | $102,500 |
| Oklahoma | $101,900 |
| Massachusetts | $101,300 |
| Missouri | $98,740 |
| District of Columbia | $96,380 |
| South Carolina | $96,350 |
| Alabama | $94,270 |
| South Dakota | $93,760 |
| Delaware | $93,250 |
| Virginia | $92,930 |
| Mississippi | $91,560 |
| Iowa | $91,170 |
| New Mexico | $90,820 |
| Idaho | $88,610 |
| Kentucky | $85,160 |
| Indiana | $84,570 |
| Texas | $84,240 |
| New York | $84,010 |
| North Dakota | $81,330 |
| Minnesota | $79,790 |
| Georgia | $78,260 |
| New Jersey | $76,640 |
| Nebraska | $76,520 |
| Maryland | $75,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $74,430 |
| Vermont | $73,070 |
| Louisiana | $69,230 |
| Connecticut | $69,080 |
| Wyoming | $69,020 |
| Oregon | $67,820 |
| Utah | $66,440 |
| Illinois | $64,030 |
| North Carolina | $63,490 |
| California | $63,010 |
| Wisconsin | $62,830 |
| West Virginia | $62,590 |
| Arizona | $62,150 |
| Michigan | $62,140 |
| Colorado | $61,610 |
| Alaska | $61,220 |
| Maine | $60,280 |
| Ohio | $59,780 |
| Florida | $58,550 |
| Montana | $51,650 |
| Tennessee | $51,460 |
| Arkansas | $47,790 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Reno, NV | $154,000 |
| Stockton, CA | $121,200 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $118,300 |
| Honolulu, HI | $117,200 |
| Worcester, MA | $113,000 |
| Amherst Town, MA | $111,000 |
| Shreveport, LA | $109,400 |
| Providence, RI | $108,700 |
| Manchester, NH | $107,100 |
| Waco, TX | $105,800 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,600 |
| Louisville, KY | $105,400 |
| Kansas City, MO | $104,400 |
| Killeen, TX | $104,300 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $102,600 |
In other countries
Social Worker belongs to the international group "Social work and counselling professionals".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Educational$64,330
- Marriage and Family Therapist$66,940
- Rehabilitation Counselor$46,850
- Substance Abuse$59,350
- Counselor$50,860
- Child$59,550
- Healthcare Social Worker$67,880
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$60,280
- Health Education Specialist$64,070
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$66,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $34.57 ($71,900 a year).
How much does a social worker make a month?
About $5,992 a month before tax, based on a median of $71,900 a year.
How much does a social worker make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,620 or less a year ($20.97 an hour); the top 10% make $115,600 or more.
Which state pays social workers the most?
Nevada, with a median of $121,800 a year, followed by Hawaii ($116,100) and Rhode Island ($111,600).
Which city pays social workers the most?
Reno, NV, with a median of $154,000 a year.
How many social workers are there in the United States?
About 62,930 people work as social workers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.