BLS OEWS May 2025
Social Work Salaries
Published
Edited by Zoe MacDougall, BS in Psychology
Wage data for every major social work occupation, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 release. Each page covers national medians, percentile breakdowns, salary by work setting and state, and experience-based pay ranges.
Compare all professions side by side →Which social work job pays the most?
The social work job that pays the most is social and community service manager, at a $80,390 national median, roughly 35% above the lowest of the five. That is a management premium rather than a clinical one. The four direct-practice occupations sit closer together, $59,550 to $71,900, so the concentration you pick moves your pay less than the decision to move into management later does.
- Social & community service managers $80,390
- Social workers, all other $71,900
- Healthcare social workers $67,880
- Mental health & substance abuse $60,280
- Child, family & school social workers $59,550
Social and Community Service Manager
$80,390SOC 11-9151 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national median
Highest median in the social work career ladder
Healthcare Social Worker
$67,880SOC 21-1022 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national median
Highest-paying direct practice occupation
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
$60,280SOC 21-1023 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national median
Wide range from community mental health to private practice
Child and Family Social Worker
$59,550SOC 21-1021 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national median
Largest occupation by employment; state variation is highest
School Social Worker
$59,550SOC 21-1021 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national median
District salary schedules; step-based pay; PSLF-eligible
About this data
Salary guides for every major social work role are below. Every figure comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) program, May 2025 release, accessed via O*NET OnLine. Percentile figures are approximate. State-level wage data reflects BLS OES state estimates; for exact state figures see bls.gov/oes.