How much does a social worker make in San Francisco?
$78,480a year
Median yearly pay for social workers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $37.73 an hour or $6,540 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.73
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among cities
- 95 of 224
- Jobs in the area
- 720
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,970Median: $78,480Highest 10%: $152,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,970 | $25.47 | |
| 25th | $62,760 | $30.17 | |
| Median | $78,480 | $37.73 | |
| 75th | $134,900 | $64.87 | |
| 90th | $152,000 | $73.08 |
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 Diego, CA | $77,010 |
| Fresno, CA | $74,090 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $68,630 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,330 |
| Sacramento, CA | $36,160 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $135,900 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $99,640 |
| Health Education Specialist | $99,260 |
| Educational | $94,600 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $87,550 |
| Religious Worker | $86,330 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $77,210 |
| Director | $75,420 |
| Clergy | $74,580 |
| Community Health Worker | $72,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $37.73 ($78,480 a year).
Do social workers make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $78,480 against $71,900 nationally, 9% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $63,010, so San Francisco pays 25% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for social worker pay?
95 of 224 metro areas with data.
How much does a social worker make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,970 or less a year; the top 10% make $152,000 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.