How much does a social worker make in San Diego?
$77,010a year
Median yearly pay for social workers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $37.02 an hour or $6,418 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.02
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 98 of 224
- Jobs in the area
- 720
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,190Median: $77,010Highest 10%: $136,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,190 | $17.40 | |
| 25th | $50,930 | $24.49 | |
| Median | $77,010 | $37.02 | |
| 75th | $121,100 | $58.23 | |
| 90th | $136,300 | $65.51 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for social workers.
| Stockton, CA | $121,200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $102,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $94,740 |
| San Jose, CA | $93,340 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,310 |
| Oxnard, CA | $79,260 |
| San Francisco, CA | $78,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $74,090 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $68,630 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,330 |
| Sacramento, CA | $36,160 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Educational | $83,520 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $82,630 |
| Clergy | $77,450 |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $77,230 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $75,570 |
| Director | $63,450 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,500 |
| Child | $59,770 |
| Substance Abuse | $57,660 |
| Community and Social Service Specialist | $57,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $37.02 ($77,010 a year).
Do social workers make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $77,010 against $71,900 nationally, 7% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $63,010, so San Diego pays 22% more.
Where does San Diego rank for social worker pay?
98 of 224 metro areas with data.
How much does a social worker make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,190 or less a year; the top 10% make $136,300 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.