Social Worker Salary: How Much Do Social Workers Make?
How much does a social worker make? Explore social worker salaries, highest-paying specialties, education requirements, job outlook and how to earn more.
Social workers earn about $67,540 a year on average in the United States, but pay varies considerably depending on specialty, education, licensing, employer, and location. According to the latest 2025 wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare social workers average about $71,790, while some specialized social workers average more than $75,000 a year.
For people drawn to work that combines human connection, problem-solving, advocacy, and helping people through difficult periods, social work can offer a meaningful career with several different paths.
Here is the latest national salary data for major social work specialties:
| Social Work Career | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Social workers overall | $67,540 |
| Child, family & school social workers | $64,000 |
| Mental health & substance abuse social workers | $68,030 |
| Healthcare social workers | $71,790 |
| Other specialized social workers | $75,910 |
These figures are national mean annual wages from May 2025, so individual salaries can be higher or lower depending on experience, credentials and where you work.
Social work is not one single job, which is why there can be a substantial difference between starting salaries and what an experienced or licensed social worker can earn. As a general career guide:
Entry level: roughly $40,000–$55,000+
New social workers often begin in community organizations, government agencies, schools, residential programs or nonprofit organizations.
Mid-career: roughly $55,000–$75,000+
Experience, an MSW, specialized skills and additional responsibilities can increase earning potential.
Experienced or specialized: $75,000–$100,000+
Experienced licensed clinical social workers, supervisors, healthcare specialists, government employees and social workers in certain high-paying markets can potentially reach this range.
BLS data also shows how wide the income range can be. Using its May 2024 median-pay data, the lowest-paid 10% of social workers earned less than $41,580, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $99,500.
Your specialty can make a noticeable difference in your paycheck.
Healthcare Social Worker
Healthcare social workers help patients and families cope with illnesses, hospitalization, disability and major life changes. They may work in:
The 2025 national average salary for healthcare social workers is about $71,790 per year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
These social workers assist people dealing with mental health conditions, addiction and behavioral challenges.
They may work for mental health clinics, hospitals, treatment centers, government agencies or community organizations.
Average pay is approximately $68,030 per year nationally.
Child, Family and School Social Worker
These professionals work with children and families facing challenges that may involve housing, education, abuse, neglect, poverty, family instability or behavioral issues.
They may work in schools, child-welfare agencies, government departments or family-service organizations.
Average annual pay is about $64,000.
Other Specialized Social Workers
The BLS category covering other types of social workers reports an average salary of about $75,910 a year, making it one of the higher-paying social work categories nationally.
Yes, but it is not the typical salary. Social workers are more likely to reach six figures if they:
BLS data shows that the top 10% of social workers already earn around $100,000 or more, so six-figure earnings are possible, although they are well above the median.
Social workers help people deal with challenges that can affect nearly every part of life. Depending on the job, that might mean helping someone:
Some social workers primarily provide case management and resources. Others provide psychotherapy and clinical treatment. That distinction is important when considering both education requirements and earning potential.
Usually, yes. Many entry-level social work positions require a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or another relevant bachelor’s degree.
Clinical social work generally requires a Master of Social Work (MSW) plus supervised clinical experience and state licensure.
Licensing requirements vary by state, particularly for social workers who diagnose and treat mental-health conditions.
An MSW can also open the door to more specialized positions in healthcare, mental health, administration and clinical practice.
Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of social workers to grow about 6% from 2024 through 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
The BLS expects approximately 44,700 openings for social workers each year, on average, over the decade.
Some specialties are expected to grow even faster. Mental health and substance abuse social work, for example, is projected to grow by about 9.7% during that period.
Financially, social work is not typically considered one of the highest-paying professions requiring a college or graduate degree. But salary is only part of the career equation. Social work may appeal to someone who wants a career centered around:
The tradeoff can be emotionally demanding work, heavy caseloads and salaries that do not always reflect the level of responsibility involved.
That makes it especially important to understand what the job feels like in real life before committing to the education required.
Listen to social worker Cassie Pustilnik explain what the profession is actually like — from helping people through crises to the emotional demands, challenges and rewards of doing this work.
Social Worker — Helping People Through Crisis →
In our How Much Can I Make? conversation, Cassie gives a firsthand look at the career beyond the job description.
How much does a social worker make a year?
The latest BLS wage data puts the national average at approximately $67,540 per year, although earnings vary by specialty.
What type of social worker gets paid the most?
Among the primary BLS categories, specialized social workers classified as “all other” average about $75,910, followed by healthcare social workers at approximately $71,790.
How much does a healthcare social worker make?
Healthcare social workers average approximately $71,790 per year nationally.
How much does a school social worker make?
Child, family and school social workers average approximately $64,000 per year nationally.
Can an LCSW make six figures?
Yes. Experienced licensed clinical social workers may earn six figures, particularly through private practice, management, specialization or employment in higher-paying markets.
Do you need a master’s degree to become a social worker?
Not for every position. Some jobs are available with a bachelor’s degree, while clinical social work typically requires an MSW, supervised experience and state licensure.
A career in social work can lead in several directions — from schools and child welfare to hospitals, mental health, addiction treatment and clinical practice.
Typical earnings are around $60,000–$70,000 a year, with experienced and specialized social workers potentially earning $75,000 to $100,000+.
For someone deciding whether social work is the right career, the bigger question may be not only “How much can I make?” but also “Is this the kind of work I want to do every day?”