How much does a hospital social worker make?
a year · about $33 an hour
A typical hospital social worker in the United States makes $67,880 a year, about $33 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They meet patients and families, hear their worries, and work with the care team to plan support. They may counsel people, connect them to services, and arrange care at home or another facility after discharge.
Did you know? By coordinating support and discharge, hospital social workers can help shorten hospital stays and reduce how often patients return.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $46,220 and $100,360How do you become one?
Start with an accredited bachelor's degree in social work; clinical hospital roles require a master's degree in social work. Then complete supervised experience, pass your state's required licensing exam, and get a state license; rules differ by state.
School needed: Graduate degree or long training
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, an advanced state license, and a healthcare specialty can open higher-responsibility roles; pay also varies by employer and location. Full- or part-time hours and evening or weekend schedules can affect total earnings, while fame usually matters little in this team-based job.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($89,660), lowest in Arkansas ($55,640).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,220 | $67,880 | $100,360 | about 188,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $89,660 | about 18,000 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 | about 660 |
| Oregon | $84,350 | about 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 | about 4,000 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 | about 2,000 |
Official definition: Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1022.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2021/may/oes211022.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.socialworkers.org/Practice/NASW-Practice-Standards-Guidelines/NASW-Standards
- www.uabmedicine.org/news/7-facts-about-how-medical-social-workers-support-patien
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY