How much does a social work teacher make?
The median social work teacher in the United States earns $77,570 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all social work teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1113.
Social work teacher salary range
Pay for social work teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,790. The average (mean) wage of $83,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,200 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,170 | |
| Median (50th) | $77,570 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $100,400 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,790 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for social work teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1113), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Social work teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Social work teachers earn the most in Hawaii at $133,340 a year, and the least in Montana at $43,010. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $133,340 | 50 |
| Kansas | $108,610 | 50 |
| Delaware | $100,550 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $100,400 | 80 |
| New York | $98,700 | 1,840 |
| Maryland | $97,110 | 230 |
| Texas | $83,440 | 90 |
| Minnesota | $82,470 | 360 |
| Utah | $81,850 | 100 |
| California | $81,500 | 230 |
| Maine | $80,250 | 90 |
| Connecticut | $79,960 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $79,710 | 650 |
| Washington | $77,920 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $77,570 | 450 |
| Virginia | $77,180 | 390 |
| Illinois | $77,010 | 510 |
| Michigan | $76,680 | 610 |
| Wisconsin | $76,420 | 400 |
| West Virginia | $76,320 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,920 | 1,050 |
| New Hampshire | $75,500 | 50 |
| Tennessee | $75,190 | 240 |
| Oregon | $74,320 | 220 |
| Indiana | $74,240 | 440 |
| Nevada | $74,180 | 70 |
| Arizona | $71,690 | 140 |
| New Mexico | $69,950 | 210 |
| North Carolina | $68,660 | 580 |
| Alabama | $66,520 | 240 |
| Missouri | $66,470 | 150 |
| Georgia | $65,350 | 90 |
| Kentucky | $65,260 | 280 |
| Iowa | $64,190 | 140 |
| Mississippi | $63,680 | 200 |
| Idaho | $62,230 | 80 |
| Nebraska | $61,430 | 50 |
| Ohio | $60,930 | 670 |
| Oklahoma | $60,910 | 80 |
| Florida | $60,580 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $60,470 | 70 |
| South Dakota | $60,100 | 100 |
| Montana | $43,010 | N/A |
State median wages for social work teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1113), 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 social work teachers
The BLS projects employment of social work teachers to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year for social work teachers. 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 social work teacher
The typical entry-level education for social work teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a social work teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $133,340) and the lowest (Montana, $43,010) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,610 people work as social work teachers in the United States. At $77,570 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Social work teacher salary FAQ
How much does a social work teacher make an hour?
Social work teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $77,570.
What is the highest social work teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of social work teachers earn more than $126,790 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a social work teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a social work teacher is $77,570. The average (mean) wage of $83,940 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 social work teacher a well paid job?
At $77,570 a year, a social work teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,610 people work as social work teachers in the United States.
Which state pays social work teachers the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for social work teachers at $133,340 a year. Kansas ($108,610) and Delaware ($100,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a social work teacher a good career?
Employment of social work teachers is projected to grow 2.6% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,100 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a social work teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for social work teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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