Social Worker Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$69,000
national median salary
$52,000 to $95,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $71,900 for Social Workers, All Other (SOC 21-1029) across the United States, based on 62,930 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$43,620
25th percentile
$51,900
Median
$71,900
75th percentile
$97,040
90th percentile
$115,610
Workers surveyed
62,930
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$69,480
May 2025 release
$71,900
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Social Workers, All Other (SOC 21-1029) rather than Social Workerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 21-1029Highest Paying
$95,000
San Jose, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$72,000
Anchorage, AK
Lowest Paying
$54,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 21-1029. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Social Worker salary in the United States at $69,000 in 2026, within a range of $52,000 to $95,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Jose is the highest of the 81 cities at $95,000, while Anchorage offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Licensure level creates the starkest pay divisions, with LCSW holders earning 25 to 40% more than BSW-level workers.
Social Worker salary by city.
Skills that increase Social Worker pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Social Workers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $9,660 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$9,660 per year
≈ +$8,970 per year
≈ +$8,280 per year
≈ +$7,590 per year
≈ +$7,590 per year
≈ +$6,900 per year
≈ +$6,900 per year
≈ +$6,210 per year
What you should know.
Licensure level creates the starkest pay divisions, with LCSW holders earning 25 to 40% more than BSW-level workers. Clinical social workers in private practice or healthcare settings significantly outearn child welfare and school social workers. Urban areas with higher costs of living generally offer better salaries but not always proportionally.
BSW-level social workers start at $40,000 to $45,000. Licensed MSWs earn $50,000 to $63,000 after three to five years. Clinical directors and program administrators reach $68,000 to $85,000, with private practice LCSWs earning $80,000 to $110,000 or more.
Government and hospital social workers receive comprehensive benefits packages, pension contributions, and loan forgiveness eligibility through PSLF. Private practice LCSWs can earn substantially more through insurance billing but must cover their own benefits and overhead.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Social Workers typically earn $62,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Social Worker pay.
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