How much does a social worker make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for social workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $44.82 an hour or $7,768 a month.
- Hourly
- $44.82
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among cities
- 43 of 224
- Jobs in the area
- 910
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,920 | $25.92 | |
| 25th | $65,210 | $31.35 | |
| Median | $93,220 | $44.82 | |
| 75th | $112,200 | $53.94 | |
| 90th | $125,100 | $60.12 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for social workers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Health Education Specialist | $124,600 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $95,460 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $80,710 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $78,210 |
| Educational | $77,420 |
| Child | $75,550 |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $73,610 |
| Counselor | $70,610 |
| Substance Abuse | $65,270 |
| Clergy | $61,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social worker make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $44.82 ($93,220 a year).
Do social workers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $93,220 against $71,900 nationally, 30% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $96,380, so Washington pays 3% less.
Where does Washington rank for social worker pay?
43 of 224 metro areas with data.
How much does a social worker make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $53,920 or less a year; the top 10% make $125,100 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.