How much does a social worker make in California?
$63,010a year
Median yearly pay for social workers in California. That is $30.29 an hour or $5,251 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.29
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among states
- 38 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 6,430
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,160Median: $63,010Highest 10%: $132,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,160 | $17.38 | |
| 25th | $42,350 | $20.36 | |
| Median | $63,010 | $30.29 | |
| 75th | $102,200 | $49.12 | |
| 90th | $132,500 | $63.69 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Stockton, CA | $121,200 |
| Modesto, CA | $102,200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $102,200 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $102,000 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,740 |
| San Jose, CA | $93,340 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,310 |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,260 |
| San Francisco, CA | $78,480 |
| San Diego, CA | $77,010 |
| Fresno, CA | $74,090 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $68,630 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $67,140 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,330 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $53,740 |
| Sacramento, CA | $36,160 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for social workers.
| 35. Utah | $66,440 |
| 36. Illinois | $64,030 |
| 37. North Carolina | $63,490 |
| 38. California | $63,010 |
| 39. Wisconsin | $62,830 |
| 40. West Virginia | $62,590 |
| 41. Arizona | $62,150 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $30.29 ($63,010 a year).
Do social workers make more in California than the national average?
No: $63,010 against $71,900 nationally, 12% less.
Where does California rank for social worker pay?
California ranks 38 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays social workers the most?
Stockton-Lodi, CA, with a median of $121,200 a year.
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.