Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Salaries

What is the Average Salary of a Social Worker?

While social workers' salaries vary due to many factors, BLS data show that the median annual wage for social workers was $61,780 in May 2025, or $29.70 per hour. BLS estimates 775,930 social worker jobs nationwide.

Median vs. Mean: How to Read These Salary Figures

This page reports the median wage unless a column says otherwise. The median is the midpoint: half of the workers in an occupation earn more and half earn less. The mean (average) can run higher, because a small number of very high salaries pull it up. Nationally, for example, the mean annual wage for all social workers is $67,540, compared with a median of $61,780.

The figures cover wage and salary workers, so self-employed workers, such as many private-practice clinicians, are not included. Where a table shows N/A, BLS did not publish an estimate, which is not the same as zero. Estimates for areas with few social workers rest on small numbers, so check the employment figure before drawing conclusions.

National Pay Range by Social Work Specialty

The table shows how much pay varies within each specialty. Half of the workers in each group earn between the 25th and 75th percentile wages, and one in ten earns more than the 90th percentile wage.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Salaries

A licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) holds a clinical license, which is separate from the degree. Licensing requirements are set by individual jurisdictions, according to ASWB, which lists three general steps: get your degree, apply and pass the appropriate exam. A clinical master’s program, such as an online LCSW program, is educational preparation and does not confer a license by itself. Check your state’s licensing board for the full requirements, and learn the steps in our guide to becoming an LCSW.

BLS does not report wages by license type, so the median annual wages for healthcare social workers ($67,880) and mental health and substance abuse social workers ($60,280) are a reference point rather than an LCSW-specific salary.

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Salaries

NASW describes doctoral study in social work, either the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or a PhD, as advanced training in research, supervision and policy analysis, with graduates qualified to teach at the university level and to work in high-level program or systems management. If you are comparing options, see our overview of DSW programs.

BLS reports pay by occupation, not by degree, so the figures on this page cannot show how DSW pay compares with MSW pay. Management roles in social service programs fall under the social and community service managers occupation, with a median annual wage of $80,390, but BLS does not say how many of those workers hold a doctorate.

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 median salaries of social workers by industry.

^{Industry figures are BLS OEWS national estimates for social workers in May 2025.}

Social Worker Job Prospects

Top Paying Cities to Find Work for Social Workers

The metro and nonmetro areas with the highest social worker employment 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. Each table below lists the five areas with the highest median annual wage for one specialty, with employment shown so you can see how many positions the estimate reflects. Areas with very few social workers can post high medians based on a handful of positions.

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

^{Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, child, family, and school social workers.}

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

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, mental health and substance abuse social workers.

Healthcare Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities

^{Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, healthcare social workers.}

All Other Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, social workers, all other.

Social and Community Service Managers – Top Paying Metro Cities

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, social and community service managers. N/A means BLS did not publish an employment estimate for that area.

How Salaries For Social Workers Vary By State

According to ASWB, licensing requirements are set by individual jurisdictions, and jurisdictions vary in the categories of practice they license. 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 about 60,310 child, family, and school social workers, 17,690 healthcare social workers, 19,860 mental health and substance abuse social workers, and 6,430 social workers, all other, according to BLS OEWS for May 2025. Median annual wages are below.

Child, family, and school social workers: $65,200

Healthcare social workers: $89,660

Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $79,000

Social workers, all other: $63,010

Thinking about working there? Discover MSW programs in California.

Social Worker Salary in Texas

Texas employed about 21,670 child, family, and school social workers, 10,880 healthcare social workers, 8,220 mental health and substance abuse social workers, and 2,880 social workers, all other, according to BLS OEWS for May 2025. Median annual wages are below.

Child, family, and school social workers: $55,680

Healthcare social workers: $69,990

Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $46,630

Social workers, all other: $84,240

Thinking about working there? Discover MSW programs in Texas.

Social Worker Salary in New York

New York employed about 30,170 child, family, and school social workers, 20,440 healthcare social workers, 14,820 mental health and substance abuse social workers, and 2,470 social workers, all other, according to BLS OEWS for May 2025. Median annual wages are below.

Child, family, and school social workers: $65,100

Healthcare social workers: $73,070

Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $79,380

Social workers, all other: $84,010

Thinking about working there? Discover MSW programs in New York.

All Social Worker Salaries By State

The table uses BLS state occupational wage estimates for May 2025. Each cell shows the median annual wage for that occupation in that state or territory. N/A means BLS did not publish an estimate. Select a state to read its licensure guide.