Master’s in Social Worker (MSW) Salaries

The higher and more specialized a social work degree is, the greater influence it plays on an individual’s salary. But educational level and speciality are not the only factors that affect pay level.

Salaries for social workers vary based on years of experience, industry, location, level of responsibility or management, and the economy. If you are interested in pursuing an online degree, learn more about online Master of Social Work (MSW) programs.

To help prospective students and current social workers understand salaries, we have compiled salary information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for social workers working in different settings, locations, and client needs. The data in this article is current as of the last BLS publication in May 2024.

What is the Average Salary of a Social Worker?

While social workers' salaries vary due to many factors, BLS data show that the median salary in 2024 was $61,330 per year, or $29.49 per hour. In this profession, most social workers are full-time employees and may have to work evenings, weekends and holidays, which may also affect income. BLS also reports an estimated 6% growth in the social work field between 2024 and 2034.

Salaries Differ Among Social Work Specialties

There are a number of different specialties that a social worker may specialize in, such as family and school, mental health or substance abuse. Each specialty may require different levels of education, certifications or licensures. Additionally, various specialties within social work can be found across different industries and work settings, such as in a hospital, home or private practice, which may also affect a social worker’s salary.

Below will provide an overview of social worker specialties, the differences between the,m and their median salaries. However, it is important to remember that where social workers work and the population that they work with will influence final salary.

Salary information for the careers below was retrieved as of January 2026 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Average School Social Worker Salary

School social workers serve as links between students, parents, school staff and the community, and they address concerns about students’ academic success, overall well-being and adjustment in school. Positions within schools usually require an MSW and many states require school social workers to be licensed or certified by the state education department. The mean annual salary of child, family, and school social workers is $58,570.

Average Medical Social Worker Salary

Medical social workers are often hired in hospitals or clinical settings to work closely with patients and family members who are experiencing mental, emotional, family and/or financial stressors due to the patient’s medical condition. Most medical social workers should have an MSW. The mean annual salary for healthcare social workers is $68,090.

Average Mental Health Social Worker Salary

Mental health social workers support patients who have different mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder. It is recommended that mental health social workers have a master’s degree. The BLS data on mental health and substance abuse social workers indicate that mental health social workers may earn a mean annual wage of $60,060.

Average Social Work Administrator Salary

Social work administrators focus on the delivery of social services and make sure these programs and services are effective. Most social work administrator roles only need a bachelor’s in social work, but an MSW is recommended. The median salary for social and community service managers is $78,240.

Average Military Social Worker Salary

Military social workers work in settings where current military personnel and veterans require or seek support and counseling. It is best for those interested in working in this specialty to hold an MSW from an accredited program. The salary of a military social worker may be expected to be around the average salary of a social worker.

How Education and Licensing Affect Social Work Salaries

Master of Social Work (MSW) Salaries

To gain more than entry-level positions in the social work field, it may be required to have a master’s in social work degree. An MSW degree may prepare students for practice in clinical settings and/or at a macro level, where they can apply their knowledge and skills to improve the human services system. These roles require additional education, licensure, and perhaps certifications.

Due to this commitment, those who have their MSW may take on more responsibility and may obtain a higher salary than their BSW co-worker,s who are often in roles supervised by graduate level social workers.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Salaries

A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) has the ability to diagnose and treat mental disorders. Due to the gravity of this, becoming an LCSW generally involves completing an MSW program, such as an online LCSW program, passing the state’s licensure exam, and completing the required courses or clinical hours needed.

Individuals interested in community-based social work, such as program and community managers, may not require professional licensure. Because of the additional requirements needed to treat clients, the aver

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Salaries

Individuals who have their doctorate in social work (DSW) from an on-campus or online DSW program may be ready for leadership roles, to excel in their area of practice and/or learn about policies that may directly impact their clients. Those with this degree typically pursue clinical social work or social work administration.

Depending on the DSW program, individuals may be able to work while attending part-time. If this is the case, they can complete the degree in three to six years, compared with full-time study, which may take two to three years. Depending on the area of work, clinical or social work administration, the salaries will differ but still may pay higher than those with their MSW.

Social Worker Salaries By Work Setting

Social workers have the opportunity to work with multiple types of populations in various work settings, such as schools, hospitals, private practices and clinics. This allows for social workers to explore different settings and determine which work environment is best for them.

Because the setting may influence salary, we have broken down the average salaries of social workers by industry.

Information on average salaries for social workers in the above table was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook – Social Workers in January 2026.

Social Worker Job Prospects

Top Paying Cities to Find Work for Social Workers

As the need for social workers continues to grow, so do the employment rate and salaries, but these two do not always align. The metro and nonmetro areas with the highest social worker employment rates don’t always match those that pay the most, and this can significantly influence a social worker’s decision about where in the United States to work, given the cost of living.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Information for the table above on top-paying areas was obtained from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – Child, Family, and School Social Workers.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Information for the table above on the top-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas was obtained from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – Healthcare Social Workers.

Healthcare Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Information for the table above on the top-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas was obtained from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – Healthcare Social Workers.

All Other Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Information for the above table regarding top paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – All Other Social Workers.

Social and Community Service Managers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Information for the above table on the top-paying metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas was obtained from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report for Social and Community Service Managers.

Projected Demand for Social Workers

BLS data (May 2024) on social workers indicate a 6% job growth rate between 2024 and 2034. This expected growth applies to all social workers and can be further disaggregated when examining specialized fields within social work.

How Salaries For Social Workers Vary By State

Each state has a distinct set of requirements that social workers must complete to obtain licensure to practice in that state. However, just because a state’s particular requirements are more difficult or involved, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the pay in that state will be greater.

This is something to consider when determining where to live and work, especially if the license is more difficult to receive and if it is a high cost of living state.

Social Worker Salary in California

California employed ~55,220 child, family, and school social workers, ~19,680 healthcare social workers; ~18,020 mental health & substance abuse social workers; and ~5,780 social workers, all other (among the highest totals nationally). Average salaries are below and were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2026.

• Child, family, and school social workers: $73,150
• Healthcare social workers: $97,090
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $83,110
• Social workers, all other: $81,480

Learn more on how to become a social worker in California or discover MSW programs in California.

Social Worker Salary in Texas

Texas employed ~26,490 child, family, and school social workers, ~11,470 healthcare social workers; ~5,810 mental health & substance abuse social workers; and ~1,700 social workers, all other. Average salaries are below and were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2026.

• Child, family, and school social workers: $51,490
• Healthcare social workers: $69,280
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $51,660
• Social workers, all other: $86,420

Learn more on how to become a social worker in Texas or discover MSW programs in Texas

Social Worker Salary in New York

New York employed ~27,220 child, family, and school social workers, ~22,800 healthcare social workers; ~14,180 mental health & substance abuse social workers; and ~3,190 social workers, all other. Average salaries are below and were retrieved from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in January 2026.

• Child, family, and school social workers: $75,270
• Healthcare social workers: $72,480
• Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $96,240
• Social workers, all other: $77,970

Learn more on how to become a social worker in New York or discover MSW programs in New York.

All Social Worker Salaries By State

We used the BLS’s May 2024 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates to create the table, which helps users easily locate the average salaries of social workers by state.