How much does a social worker make?
a year · about $35 an hour
A typical social worker in the United States makes $71,900 a year, about $35 an hour, about 1.4× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? After disasters, U.S. social workers may help survivors find food and shelter, offer emotional support, and help communities recover.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $43,620 and $115,610How do you become one?
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.
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($102,520), lowest in Arkansas ($47,790).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a social worker averages $29,444. Social worker salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: All social workers not listed separately.
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