How much does a social worker make?
Answer: A typical social worker in the United States makes $71,900 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 63,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Social worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $43,620 | $71,900 | $115,610 | about 63,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $102,520 | about 790 |
| Massachusetts | $101,280 | about 540 |
| Missouri | $98,740 | about 590 |
| Virginia | $92,930 | about 860 |
| Kentucky | $85,160 | about 610 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can depend on experience and skills, education or a license, and the employer or specialty. Location and work hours can matter too; this “all other” group includes many kinds of social work.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a social worker do?
All social workers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
Social workers meet clients, listen to their concerns, and help figure out next steps. They may connect people with useful services and coordinate plans with doctors, community groups, or other helpers.
How to get this job
In the U.S., a common first step is a social work bachelor’s degree (BSW), including supervised fieldwork; some jobs require a master’s degree. State rules differ; clinical work needs a master’s, supervised experience, and a licensing exam.
Did you know?
After disasters, U.S. social workers may help survivors find food and shelter, offer emotional support, and help communities recover.
What about Japan?
Nearly the same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Sources and data
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/print/social-workers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1029.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2018/article/social-workers.htm
- www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Social-Workers-Play-a-Critical-Role-in-Disaster-R
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY