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 according to years of experience, industry, locale of employment, occupational responsibility or management level 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 learn about salaries, we have compiled salary information, courtesy of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), for social workers handling different work settings, locations and client needs.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
What is the Average Salary of a Social Worker?
Even though the salary for social workers can differ due to many factors, the BLS data on social workers reports that the median salary of a social worker in 2020 was $51,760 a year, which breaks down to $24.88 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 additionally reports that there is an 13% estimated growth projected for the social work field between 2019 and 2029.
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 difference between them 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 April 2021 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 $52,370.
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 $60,470.
Average Mental Health Social Worker Salary
Mental health social workers support patients that have different mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression or bi-polar 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 $54,540.
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 $69,600.
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 within this specialty to have their 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 are able to use their knowledge and skills to better the human services system. These types of roles require extra 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-workers who are often in roles supervised by graduate level social workers.
Sponsored Online Social Work Programs
- Join the #16 ranked Howard University School of Social Work1
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Research-driven faculty dedicated to making an impact on social problems
- Prepares you to apply social work skills across practice settings
- Four areas of focus: Individuals and Families, Organizations and Community, Evaluation, and Policy Practice and Advocacy
- Three certificates: Trauma Practice, Mental Health Practice or Practice with Groups and Families.
- Four program tracks: Advanced Standing, Accelerated, Full Time and Extended
- Three academic departments: Adult Mental Health and Wellness; Children, Youth – and Families; and Social Change and Innovation
- Features field education in or near students’ own communities.
- Traditional and Advanced Standing tracks
- Concentrate your degree in integrated practice or clinical practice
- Ethically integrates faith and social work practice
- Specialize in clinical practice or community practice
- CWRU’s Mandel School is a top-10 ranked graduate school of social work (2019).1
- Three paths of study are available to prepare social work leaders to work in clinical or community practice.
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 who are interested in community-based social work, such as program and community managers, may not need their professional licensure. Because of the additional requirements needed to treat clients, the average salary of a LCSW may be higher than their MSW-only counterpart.
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 tend to focus in clinical social work or social work administration.
Depending on the DSW program, individuals may be able to work while attending a part-time program. If this is the case, they will be able to complete the degree in three to six years compared to 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.
| Social Work Industry | Social Worker Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals | $57,660 |
| Ambulatory Healthcare Services | $52,850 |
| State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals | $49,860 |
| Individual and Family Services | $43,820 |
Information on average salaries for social workers in the above table was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook – Social Workers in April 2021.
Social Worker Job Prospects
Top Paying Cities to Find Work for Social Workers
As the need for social workers continues to grow, so does the employment rate and salary, but these two things do not always coincide with each other. The cities with the highest social worker employment rates don’t always match the cities that pay the most and this can greatly influence a social worker’s decision on where in the United States to work due to cities’ cost of living.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 350 | $76,020 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 1,190 | $73,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 6,540 | $70,940 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 2,260 | $68,510 |
| Danbury, CT | 250 | $67,870 |
Information for the above table regarding top paying metropolitan cities was retrieved 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
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Madera, CA | 40 | $92,870 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 170 | $91,480 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 230 | $89,730 |
| Napa, CA | 100 | $88,230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 50 | $87,540 |
Information for the above table regarding top paying metropolitan cities was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers.
Healthcare Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Healthcare Social Workers | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 2,730 | $100,410 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 910 | $98,980 |
| Salinas, CA | 90 | $95,690 |
| Fresno, CA | 290 | $90,620 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 120 | $89,300 |
Information for the above table regarding top paying metropolitan cities was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – Healthcare Social Workers.
All Other Social Workers – Top Paying Metro Cities
| Metropolitan Area | Number of All Other Social Workers | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 870 | $99,810 |
| Springfield, MA-CT | 60 | $89,340 |
| Reno, NV | N/A | $86,860 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 170 | $85,250 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 280 | $83,760 |
Information for the above table regarding top paying metropolitan cities was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – All Other Social Workers.
Social and Community Service Managers – Top Paying Metro Cities
| Metropolitan Area | Number of Social and Community Service Managers | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Yuba City, CA | 100 | $96,530 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 11,970 | $95,650 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 2,450 | $94,900 |
| Trenton, NJ | 420 | $93,510 |
| Decatur, IL | 70 | $92,830 |
Information for the above table regarding top paying metropolitan cities was retrieved from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wages Report – Social and Community Service Managers.
Projected Demand for Social Workers
The BLS data on social workers estimates that there will be a 13% job growth expectancy for social workers between 2019 and 2029. This expected growth is for all social workers and can be broken down even further if looked into specialized fields within social work.
| Social Worker Title | Projected Growth – Percent | Projected Growth – Number |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, School Social Workers | 12% | 40,100 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | 14% | 26,700 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 17% | 20,700 |
| Social Workers, All Other | 5% | 3,200 |
How Salaries For Social Workers Vary By State
Each state has a different set of requirements that social workers need to go through to become licensed to practice in the 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
The average salary of a social worker in California can range anywhere from $58,450 to $83,000, according to the BLS as of April 2021. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills and the number of years of experience.
Learn more on how to become a social worker in California or discover MSW programs in California.
Social Worker Salary in Texas
The BLS reports that the average salary of a social worker in Texas can range from $45,180 to $63,570, as of April 2021. Compared to California, the average salaries for social workers living in this state are slightly lower, which may be due to the cost of living being less expensive in Texas.
Learn more on how to become a social worker in Texas or discover MSW programs in Texas
Social Worker Salary in New York
Data from the BLS as of April 2021 shows that the average salary of a social worker in New York state can range from $61,510 to $72,210. Compared to California and Texas, New York state’s cost of living is much greater, especially in New York City. However, compared to the two states above, the average salary is somewhere in the middle of the two.
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 referred to the BLS’s May 2020 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates to create the below table to help users easily locate the average salaries of social workers by state.
| State | Child, Family, and School Social Worker Salary | Healthcare Social Worker Salary | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary | Social Workers, All Other Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $44,150 | $48,310 | $37,850 | $62,390 |
| Alaska | $59,130 | $62,390 | $56,810 | $74,510 |
| Arizona | $43,720 | $60,860 | $42,650 | $62,630 |
| Arkansas | $42,440 | $53,370 | $41,170 | $50,590 |
| California | $58,450 | $83,000 | $73,150 | $73,620 |
| Colorado | $54,210 | $58,010 | $47,950 | $57,870 |
| Connecticut | $68,230 | $71,850 | $66,500 | $64,060 |
| Delaware | $40,390 | $52,950 | $51,710 | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $71,840 | $76,100 | $73,490 | N/A |
| Florida | $45,490 | $54,250 | $44,740 | $52,770 |
| Georgia | $44,620 | $51,730 | $44,640 | $75,410 |
| Guam | N/A | $49,540 | N/A | $53,800 |
| Hawaii | $57,070 | $73,410 | $55,920 | $85,740 |
| Idaho | $50,010 | $57,620 | $50,560 | $65,650 |
| Illinois | $58,080 | $56,640 | $59,520 | $73,580 |
| Indiana | $42,680 | $55,810 | $46,820 | $67,650 |
| Iowa | $50,580 | $53,850 | $49,610 | $61,140 |
| Kansas | $47,040 | $57,550 | $45,270 | $70,800 |
| Kentucky | $42,770 | $52,310 | $45,820 | $60,510 |
| Louisiana | $47,140 | $55,450 | $42,810 | $62,270 |
| Maine | $60,140 | $56,790 | $57,800 | $56,540 |
| Maryland | $61,470 | $60,150 | $55,260 | $67,360 |
| Massachusetts | $52,760 | $62,640 | $49,270 | $84,540 |
| Michigan | $51,880 | $57,950 | $50,160 | $57,790 |
| Minnesota | $57,570 | $57,960 | $63,510 | $63,910 |
| Mississippi | $36,800 | $48,260 | $41,850 | $56,080 |
| Missouri | $37,770 | $49,050 | $43,930 | $65,980 |
| Montana | $41,550 | $51,900 | $38,820 | $44,790 |
| Nebraska | $41,450 | $50,550 | $35,710 | $62,580 |
| Nevada | $54,860 | $66,120 | $60,620 | $82,410 |
| New Hampshire | $54,280 | $66,010 | $62,700 | $71,790 |
| New Jersey | $71,110 | $64,630 | $91,070 | $71,680 |
| New Mexico | $47,590 | $58,650 | $51,420 | N/A |
| New York | $63,740 | $61,510 | $64,750 | $72,210 |
| North Carolina | $48,670 | $57,670 | $56,530 | $60,620 |
| North Dakota | $58,300 | $56,100 | $51,700 | $68,220 |
| Ohio | $48,530 | $57,020 | $47,830 | $55,910 |
| Oklahoma | $39,980 | $51,870 | $42,920 | $64,770 |
| Oregon | $54,380 | $75,730 | $49,700 | $55,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,110 | $57,400 | $39,510 | $62,450 |
| Puerto Rico | $30,850 | $34,510 | $29,700 | $38,240 |
| Rhode Island | $65,430 | $69,600 | $65,430 | $79,720 |
| South Carolina | $43,610 | $57,790 | $38,970 | $50,470 |
| South Dakota | $41,940 | $45,430 | $41,260 | $75,390 |
| Tennessee | $44,090 | $49,990 | $43,070 | $55,210 |
| Texas | $50,390 | $59,790 | $45,180 | $63,570 |
| Utah | $48,450 | $66,040 | $50,700 | $52,680 |
| Vermont | $54,030 | $56,750 | $48,000 | $65,140 |
| Virginia | $56,590 | $56,350 | $52,450 | $77,060 |
| Washington | $58,340 | $65,760 | $55,880 | $76,440 |
| West Virginia | $39,080 | $52,540 | $42,400 | $65,050 |
| Wisconsin | $47,330 | $56,120 | $50,490 | $57,800 |
| Wyoming | $48,700 | $63,350 | $49,650 | $61,080 |
Page last updated in April 2021.