How much does a Social Worker make?

The average salary for a Social Worker is $68,439 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 18961 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Social Worker employees in United States.

The highest salary for a Social Worker in United States is $85,685 per year.

The lowest salary for a Social Worker in United States is $54,845 per year.

If you are thinking of becoming a Social Worker or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Social Worker.

Social workers are paid similarly to health education specialists, marriage and family therapists, school counselors and substance use counselors. Healthcare-focused social workers are generally paid more than family-focused social workers and substance-abuse focused social workers. Social workers looking to increase their take home pay can earn a master’s or a doctoral degree, and progress into administrative roles including that of program manager or program director.

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Data from Glassdoor reveals that when asked anonymously, 66% of social workers say they're satisfied with how much they earn. You can also earn $3,892.13 in additional pay for some jobs, including profit sharing and bonuses for social workers who practice within health care systems.

The average salary for social workers is $64,534.65, and earnings increase as you gain years of experience in your career. You can also increase your compensation from the minimum of $44,945.89 to the maximum of $104,683.45 over the course of your career as a social worker by continuing your education to earn your master's degree.

Certifications can expand your scope of practice and increase your social worker salary accordingly. You can advance in your career by earning credentials from the National Association of Social Work, including the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) and Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW) designations. Additional specialty areas that can raise your salary as a social worker include clinical social work, addiction, gerontology, education, case management, hospice, health care, military, youth, and family. The social work setting where you're employed also makes a difference in your salary. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that social workers earn the highest average salaries in local government.

Whether you're applying for a job at a new organization or asking for more money in your current role, start your negotiations by sticking to the facts about average pay for social workers in your area. Having this information at hand demonstrates that you've done your research. You should also emphasize concrete ways you've exceeded performance expectations with your current employer, such as taking on leadership responsibilities or mentoring new social workers on your team. If you've pursued continuing education opportunities or conducted research, these assets add to your value as an employee and should come into play when you ask for your target salary.