How much does a healthcare social worker make?
The median healthcare social worker in the United States earns $67,880 per year, about $32.63 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all healthcare social workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-1022.
Healthcare social worker salary range
Pay for healthcare social workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,220 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $100,360. The average (mean) wage of $71,790 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,220 | $22.22 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $56,710 | $27.27 | |
| Median (50th) | $67,880 | $32.63 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,240 | $39.54 | |
| 90th percentile | $100,360 | $48.25 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for healthcare social workers (SOC 21-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Healthcare social worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Healthcare social workers earn the most in District of Columbia at $94,100 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $55,640. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 | 420 |
| California | $89,660 | 17,690 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 | 660 |
| Oregon | $84,350 | 2,320 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 | 4,310 |
| Vermont | $81,140 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 | 1,650 |
| Washington | $78,570 | 5,180 |
| Nevada | $78,470 | 1,160 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 | 590 |
| Utah | $78,150 | 1,750 |
| Maryland | $76,440 | 4,750 |
| Massachusetts | $76,440 | 7,220 |
| Rhode Island | $75,390 | 630 |
| Idaho | $74,500 | 750 |
| Minnesota | $73,970 | 2,430 |
| New York | $73,070 | 20,440 |
| Maine | $71,610 | 790 |
| Texas | $69,990 | 10,880 |
| Michigan | $67,600 | 4,860 |
| Wisconsin | $66,910 | 3,770 |
| Virginia | $66,550 | 3,070 |
| New Mexico | $65,930 | 1,200 |
| Florida | $64,820 | 10,520 |
| Delaware | $64,620 | 780 |
| Indiana | $64,580 | 3,890 |
| Kansas | $64,440 | 1,360 |
| Illinois | $64,270 | 4,910 |
| Kentucky | $64,080 | 1,980 |
| Arizona | $64,030 | 3,100 |
| Ohio | $63,610 | 8,930 |
| Colorado | $63,480 | 3,670 |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | 5,120 |
| Iowa | $63,050 | 1,550 |
| North Dakota | $62,860 | 330 |
| Georgia | $62,420 | 6,970 |
| Nebraska | $62,420 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $62,260 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $62,250 | 1,890 |
| Alaska | $62,000 | 480 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,900 | 9,630 |
| Tennessee | $61,240 | 5,970 |
| Louisiana | $61,080 | 1,970 |
| South Carolina | $60,840 | 3,100 |
| West Virginia | $60,140 | 1,100 |
| Alabama | $60,000 | 2,850 |
| Missouri | $59,870 | 4,430 |
| South Dakota | $57,510 | 790 |
| Montana | $57,090 | 840 |
| Oklahoma | $56,120 | 2,310 |
| Arkansas | $55,640 | 1,250 |
State median wages for healthcare social workers (SOC 21-1022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for healthcare social workers
The BLS projects employment of healthcare social workers to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 194,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 211,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 16,900 openings a year for healthcare social workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a healthcare social worker
The typical entry-level education for healthcare social workers is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a healthcare social worker earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $94,100) and the lowest (Arkansas, $55,640) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 187,630 people work as healthcare social workers in the United States. At $67,880 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Healthcare social worker salary FAQ
How much does a healthcare social worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a healthcare social worker is $32.63. The middle half of healthcare social workers earn between $27.27 and $39.54 per hour.
What is the highest healthcare social worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of healthcare social workers earn more than $100,360 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a healthcare social worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a healthcare social worker is $67,880. The average (mean) wage of $71,790 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a healthcare social worker a well paid job?
At $67,880 a year, a healthcare social worker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 187,630 people work as healthcare social workers in the United States.
Which state pays healthcare social workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for healthcare social workers at $94,100 a year. California ($89,660) and Hawaii ($85,420) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a healthcare social worker a good career?
Employment of healthcare social workers is projected to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 16,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a healthcare social worker?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for healthcare social workers as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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