Salary guide
Social Worker Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What social workers earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median social worker salary in the U.S. is $59,550 per year, or $28.63 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $42,280, while the top 10% earned more than $95,530.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Social Worker pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,280 | $20.33 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $48,270 | $23.21 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $59,550 | $28.63 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $76,070 | $36.57 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $95,530 | $45.93 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $48,270 | $59,550 | $76,070 |
| Per month | $4,023 | $4,963 | $6,339 |
| Every two weeks | $1,857 | $2,290 | $2,926 |
| Per week | $928 | $1,145 | $1,463 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects social worker pay
- Degree level and state licensure (such as LCSW, LPC or LMFT)
- Employer type (hospitals and government often pay more than small nonprofits)
- Clinical specialization and supervision credentials
- Government pay grades, steps and benefits
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a social worker
- Get credentialed: Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
- Build specialty experience: Manage cases.
- Move up: roles such as clinical social worker and supervisor or director typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Social Worker pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of social workers to change by +4.4% from 2025–35, about as fast as average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 33,900 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 21-1021 (“Child, family, and school social workers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Social Worker salary FAQ
How much does a social worker make per hour?
The median hourly wage for social workers was $28.63 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $20.33 and the top 10% earned about $45.93 or more.
How much does a social worker make a month?
At the median annual wage of $59,550, that works out to about $4,963 per month before taxes, or about $2,290 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a social worker?
New social workers often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $42,280 and the 25th percentile was $48,270 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can social workers earn more?
Common ways include earning Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) and Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as clinical social worker.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 21-1021 (Child, family, and school social workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Child, family, and school social workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.