How much does a social worker make in Boston?
$98,320a year
Median yearly pay for social workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area. That is $47.27 an hour or $8,193 a month.
- Hourly
- $47.27
- Vs. national median
- +37%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 224
- Jobs in the area
- 410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $70,720Median: $98,320Highest 10%: $125,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,720 | $34.00 | |
| 25th | $89,380 | $42.97 | |
| Median | $98,320 | $47.27 | |
| 75th | $116,200 | $55.86 | |
| 90th | $125,000 | $60.10 |
Other cities in Massachusetts
Median yearly pay for social workers.
| Amherst Town, MA | $111,000 |
| Providence, RI | $108,700 |
Related jobs in Boston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $98,100 |
| Educational | $80,760 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $78,410 |
| Child | $77,420 |
| Clergy | $73,160 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $69,830 |
| Director | $68,040 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $63,830 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,260 |
| Substance Abuse | $62,130 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in Boston?
The median hourly pay in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $47.27 ($98,320 a year).
Do social workers make more in Boston than the national average?
Yes: $98,320 against $71,900 nationally, 37% more.
How does Boston compare with the rest of Massachusetts?
The median in Massachusetts is $101,300, so Boston pays 3% less.
Where does Boston rank for social worker pay?
27 of 224 metro areas with data.
How much does a social worker make starting out in Boston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $70,720 or less a year; the top 10% make $125,000 or more.
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.