[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most social workers don’t enter the field for the money, but specialization, experience, and education level all influence social workers’ earning potentials.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Individuals wondering “how much do social workers make?” may be surprised by the complexity of the answer. This guide draws on May 2020 data for the mean bachelor of social work (BSW) and master of social work (MSW) salaries and analyzes the factors affecting social worker salary potential.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For example, [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/clinical-social-worker/”]licensed clinical social workers[/hen-ui-link] generally earn more than BSW social workers. However, factors such as location, industry, and caseload influence their earnings.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Social Worker Salary Overview[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How much do social workers make in comparison with other professions? In May 2020, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm/”]national average salary[/hen-ui-link] for all occupations exceeded $56,000 per year. Social workers earned a slightly lower-than-average salary.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]However, social work salaries cover a wide range, with the lowest-paid social workers making around $33,000 per year and the highest-paid earning nearly $86,000.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-right text-sm”]Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social workers take on different responsibilities depending on their industry. Social workers in ambulatory healthcare specialize in healthcare and medical social work, connecting patients with home healthcare options. Social workers in individual and family services act as caseworkers and advocates for vulnerable children. Social workers in private practice use clinical modalities to empower their clients to achieve their goals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]How much does a social worker make? Industry makes a significant difference, with the highest-paying industry offering nearly $14,000 more than the lowest-paid sector. The following table shows social work salary data by industry as of May 2020.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Social Worker Salaries in 2020 by Industry[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Industry[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Annual Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]$57,660[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]Ambulatory Healthcare Services[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]$52,850[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]$49,860[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Industry”]Individual and Family Services[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Annual Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]$43,820[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Different Types of Social Workers Make?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social workers can specialize in different fields, including healthcare social work, school social work, mental health social work, and child and family social work. These concentrations affect work settings, job duties, and earning potential.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When considering social work careers, prospective and current social work students should think carefully about their desired concentrations. In addition to specialization, location influences social worker salaries. For example, social workers in states with a higher cost of living, like Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California, typically earn more.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]— Healthcare Social Workers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare social workers help clients navigate the medical system. When a client receives a medical diagnosis, healthcare social workers recommend lifestyle adjustments. They also connect patients with social services, including home healthcare and support groups.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In medical settings, healthcare social workers help professionals integrate patients’ mental and emotional health into their treatments. Healthcare social workers can specialize in hospice care, medical social work, or geriatric social work.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]— Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Mental health and substance abuse social workers assist clients in managing mental health disorders or addictions. They connect clients with social services like support groups or addiction recovery programs. Mental health social workers, also known as psychiatric social workers, also treat people with mental or emotional problems in an agency or private practice setting.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The job duties for mental health and substance abuse social workers include individual therapy, group therapy, and crisis intervention. They also offer education and advocacy services.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]— Child, Family, and School Social Workers[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Child, family, and school social workers advocate for vulnerable children. These professionals help families access services like housing or food benefits. They also intervene if they suspect child abuse or neglect. Some child and family social workers specialize in adoptions.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]School social workers help students improve their social skills and academic performance. They work with parents, teachers, and school staff to manage problematic behaviors. School social workers also assist children dealing with bullying or school absences.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Much Do Similar Career Paths Make?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counseling and social work careers offer a range of earning potentials. Social workers, [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/therapy/”]marriage and family therapists[/hen-ui-link], and counselors typically earn median salaries of around $50,000 per year, while psychologists report higher average salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The information below presents salary data from several careers. When considering [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/social-services-careers/”]social services careers[/hen-ui-link] or [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/social-work/”]social work degrees[/hen-ui-link], prospective students may want to research careers in related fields.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Counseling and Social Work Salaries in 2020[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Median Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Industrial-Organizational Psychologists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm/”]$96,270[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm/”]$79,820[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Social Workers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]$51,760[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Marriage and Family Therapists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm/”]$51,340[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Median Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm/”]$47,660[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Boost Your Salary as a Social Worker[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The average social worker’s salary remains below the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html/”]national average wage index[/hen-ui-link] of $54,000. However, social workers can boost their earnings in several ways. Earning a graduate degree, specializing in an in-demand field, or changing employers may increase salaries. Thinking strategically about earning potential early in a social work career can pay off for decades.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Education Level and MSW Salaries[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salaries often correlate with education level. As a result, earning a social work degree often means more job opportunities and a higher earning potential. Social service assistants can increase their earning potential with [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/bachelors/best-bachelors-social-work/”]BSW degrees[/hen-ui-link], while case managers move into clinical roles that pay more by completing [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/masters/best-masters-social-work/”]MSW programs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Years of Experience[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Early-career social workers typically earn lower salaries than professionals with several years of experience. Each year of experience adds about $419 to a social worker’s salary, according to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Career-Center/Kickstart-Your-Job-Hunt/Social-Work-Salaries/”]socialworkers.org[/hen-ui-link]. Experience prepares social workers for leadership and supervisory positions. Similarly, pursuing new roles allows social workers to negotiate for increased salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Location[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Locations with a higher cost of living often pay social workers higher salaries. For example, healthcare social workers in California make a mean annual wage of [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211022.htm/”]$83,000 per year[/hen-ui-link], compared to the national mean of $60,000. Other location factors, including rural versus urban settings, also influence salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Industry and Specialization[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Industry and specialization significantly affect earning potential. Social workers employed by [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]local governments[/hen-ui-link] tend to earn more than professionals in individual and family services. Specialization also influences salary. Medical social workers, psychiatric social workers, and forensic social workers report above-average social work salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Type of Practice[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many professionals in the field work for employers, while others find employment in private practice. The type of practice influences earning potential. Social workers in private practice report the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Career-Center/Kickstart-Your-Job-Hunt/Social-Work-Salaries/”]highest salaries[/hen-ui-link]. In contrast, individuals who work in the nonprofit sector report the lowest salaries.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Licensure[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Several social work careers require licensure. [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/career-guide/clinical-social-worker/”]Clinical social workers[/hen-ui-link] must apply for state licenses. Some states require candidates with BSWs, while others require MSWs. A license often translates into more job opportunities and a higher salary. The average MSW salary exceeds BSW salaries by a minimum of [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/NASW-Career-Center/Tips-and-Tools-for-Job-Seekers/Social-Work-Salaries”]$13,000 per year[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Hours Worked[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most social workers work full-time hours, and part-time social workers tend to earn less than full-time social workers. Increasing their hours is one of the easiest ways for social workers to earn higher salaries. However, working more hours may not suit every social worker’s circumstances.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″ class=”text-4xl”]Number of Clients[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The size of a social worker’s primary caseload [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/NASW-Career-Center/Tips-and-Tools-for-Job-Seekers/Social-Work-Salaries/”]correlates with salary[/hen-ui-link]. Social workers for public and nonprofit agencies with 26-50 clients earn the lowest salaries, while those without a caseload earn the highest salaries. The data may reflect the fact that social workers with no clients work in supervisory or management roles. Social workers in private practice have an average caseload of 20-25 clients.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Common Questions About Social Worker Salaries[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Much Money Can You Make With an MSW?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social workers earn a [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm/”]median salary[/hen-ui-link] of nearly $52,000 per year. Professionals with MSWs typically earn salaries higher than the median.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Can Social Workers Make Six Figures?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social work does not typically offer six-figure salaries. However, social workers in certain locations and those who pursue leadership roles can increase their earning potential.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What Field of Social Work Pays the Most?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare social workers and social workers [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211029.htm/”]employed by the federal government[/hen-ui-link] tend to earn higher salaries. Social work salaries vary by field, degree level, experience, and employer.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Genevieve Carlton” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618859758/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/genevieve-carlton.jpg” img-alt=”Genevieve Carlton” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Genevieve Carlton[/hen-ui-link] holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University. After earning her doctorate in early modern European history, Carlton worked as an assistant professor of history at the University of Louisville, where she developed new courses on the history of science, Renaissance Italy, and the witch trials. Carlton has published five peer-reviewed articles in top presses and a monograph with the University of Chicago Press. She also earned tenure with a unanimous vote before relocating to Seattle. Learn more about Carlton’s work at [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.genevievecarlton.com/”]genevievecarlton.com[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Reviewed by: Melissa Russiano, LCSW, LISW” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/v1603822144/experts/Melissa_Russiano.png” img-alt=”Reviewed by: Melissa Russiano, LCSW, LISW” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight” class=”text-base”]Melissa Russiano is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice who has organically developed a specialty working with helping professionals. Russiano has a proven track record helping professionals avoid burnout by holding clinicians accountable through laughter, tears, blunt (yet very supportive) feedback, and quirky analogies that are grounded in solid theoretical research. Russiano practices solely in a virtual setting in the states of California, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. In addition, Russiano is a professor, teaching in a graduate program through Simmons University online.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”352,7906,173″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]