Healthcare Social Worker Salary
Healthcare Social Workers earn a median $67,880 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
What healthcare social workers do
Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +8.5% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 16,900
Employment of healthcare social workers is projected to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 16,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Healthcare Social Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,104
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,209
- Medicare (1.45%)$984
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$56,584
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,220 | $22.22 | $39,318 |
| 25th percentile | $56,710 | $27.26 | $47,746 |
| Median (50th) | $67,880 | $32.63 | $56,584 |
| 75th percentile | $82,240 | $39.54 | $66,686 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,360 | $48.25 | $79,433 |
Best cities for healthcare social workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $99,640 | $72,594 | $62,791 | 2,740 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $83,550 | $67,607 | $60,835 | 3,060 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $75,930 | $62,247 | $60,381 | 2,630 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $71,900 | $59,412 | $60,238 | 2,660 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $75,720 | $58,866 | $56,338 | 2,950 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $78,410 | $60,291 | $55,688 | 4,950 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $71,430 | $55,690 | $53,757 | 3,770 |
| 8 | New York, NY | $78,610 | $60,484 | $53,734 | 17,250 |
| 9 | Los Angeles, CA | $79,830 | $60,758 | $53,500 | 6,340 |
| 10 | Philadelphia, PA | $65,990 | $53,177 | $51,853 | 4,190 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $65,280 | $51,867 | $51,837 | 4,130 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $60,430 | $48,880 | $51,632 | 2,810 |
| 13 | Miami, FL | $64,510 | $54,014 | $47,316 | 3,440 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Francisco, CA — $99,640
- Seattle, WA — $83,550
- Los Angeles, CA — $79,830
- New York, NY — $78,610
- Boston, MA — $78,410
- Dallas, TX — $75,930
- Baltimore, MD — $75,720
- Houston, TX — $71,900
- Chicago, IL — $71,430
- Philadelphia, PA — $65,990
- Atlanta, GA — $65,280
- Miami, FL — $64,510
- Pittsburgh, PA — $60,430
Healthcare Social Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 | +1.6% | $69,999 | $60,970 – $124,230 | 420 |
| California | $89,660 | −3.6% | $66,631 | $54,220 – $134,880 | 17,690 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 | +0.9% | $63,961 | $51,570 – $102,670 | 660 |
| Oregon | $84,350 | −0.9% | $61,619 | $60,480 – $111,720 | 2,320 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 | +1.2% | $63,925 | $54,950 – $118,300 | 4,310 |
| Vermont | $81,140 | +3.5% | $63,017 | $61,760 – $102,820 | 250 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 | −2.4% | $62,220 | $59,100 – $104,900 | 1,650 |
| Washington | $78,570 | +3.8% | $64,104 | $48,390 – $124,360 | 5,180 |
| Nevada | $78,470 | +2.9% | $64,034 | $51,890 – $101,380 | 1,160 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 | +0.3% | $63,886 | $60,200 – $98,930 | 590 |
| Utah | $78,150 | +8.0% | $61,258 | $44,410 – $109,270 | 1,750 |
| Maryland | $76,440 | +12.5% | $59,338 | $40,210 – $96,340 | 4,750 |
| Massachusetts | $76,440 | +5.8% | $59,004 | $51,270 – $102,070 | 7,220 |
| Rhode Island | $75,390 | −5.1% | $59,657 | $48,070 – $96,840 | 630 |
| Idaho | $74,500 | +4.6% | $58,401 | $50,950 – $97,670 | 750 |
| Minnesota | $73,970 | +2.3% | $57,361 | $51,720 – $95,200 | 2,430 |
| New York | $73,070 | +8.7% | $56,886 | $47,750 – $103,730 | 20,440 |
| Maine | $71,610 | −1.3% | $55,556 | $55,770 – $85,640 | 790 |
| Texas | $69,990 | +0.0% | $58,068 | $40,210 – $98,150 | 10,880 |
| Michigan | $67,600 | +1.7% | $53,764 | $47,640 – $91,190 | 4,860 |
| Wisconsin | $66,910 | +2.6% | $53,735 | $50,280 – $91,040 | 3,770 |
| Virginia | $66,550 | +3.7% | $52,635 | $47,530 – $91,060 | 3,070 |
| New Mexico | $65,930 | −0.2% | $53,222 | $45,780 – $90,020 | 1,200 |
| Florida | $64,820 | −3.4% | $54,263 | $45,760 – $88,470 | 10,520 |
| Delaware | $64,620 | +3.0% | $51,178 | $47,550 – $88,760 | 780 |
| Indiana | $64,580 | −3.9% | $52,194 | $48,050 – $93,510 | 3,890 |
| Kansas | $64,440 | +0.2% | $51,161 | $46,300 – $79,680 | 1,360 |
| Illinois | $64,270 | −6.5% | $50,784 | $47,290 – $96,970 | 4,910 |
| Kentucky | $64,080 | −1.2% | $51,543 | $43,010 – $86,240 | 1,980 |
| Arizona | $64,030 | −3.8% | $52,236 | $44,620 – $96,470 | 3,100 |
| Ohio | $63,610 | −1.8% | $52,324 | $45,150 – $84,050 | 8,930 |
| Colorado | $63,480 | +1.2% | $51,101 | $45,810 – $95,230 | 3,670 |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | −2.9% | $51,009 | $40,650 – $85,070 | 5,120 |
| Iowa | $63,050 | −0.3% | $51,097 | $46,140 – $80,360 | 1,550 |
| North Dakota | $62,860 | −1.3% | $52,688 | $51,260 – $78,040 | 330 |
| Georgia | $62,420 | +0.5% | $49,718 | $43,260 – $86,990 | 6,970 |
| Nebraska | $62,420 | +3.5% | $50,374 | $46,040 – $82,780 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $62,260 | −3.9% | $52,206 | $42,380 – $93,150 | 180 |
| Mississippi | $62,250 | +9.8% | $50,440 | $39,770 – $78,520 | 1,890 |
| Alaska | $62,000 | −20.5% | $51,997 | $47,000 – $97,810 | 480 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,900 | −1.8% | $50,016 | $46,770 – $83,220 | 9,630 |
| Tennessee | $61,240 | −1.1% | $51,386 | $41,120 – $83,280 | 5,970 |
| Louisiana | $61,080 | −5.1% | $49,812 | $43,830 – $79,170 | 1,970 |
| South Carolina | $60,840 | −7.5% | $48,572 | $40,450 – $83,990 | 3,100 |
| West Virginia | $60,140 | −0.9% | $48,532 | $46,120 – $79,800 | 1,100 |
| Alabama | $60,000 | +3.4% | $47,655 | $40,020 – $74,440 | 2,850 |
| Missouri | $59,870 | +12.8% | $48,409 | $39,180 – $79,560 | 4,430 |
| South Dakota | $57,510 | +10.7% | $48,389 | $43,750 – $78,420 | 790 |
| Montana | $57,090 | −2.8% | $46,125 | $46,330 – $77,730 | 840 |
| Oklahoma | $56,120 | +8.3% | $45,293 | $36,920 – $81,650 | 2,310 |
| Arkansas | $55,640 | −10.3% | $44,930 | $38,110 – $76,850 | 1,250 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Workers, All Other | $71,900 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 | Master's degree | +10.3% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree | +13.5% |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | +3.0% |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,350 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Community Health Worker | $51,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a healthcare social worker make?
The national median salary for healthcare social workers is $67,880 a year ($32.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,220 and the top 10% earn over $100,360. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays healthcare social workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $94,100. After taxes and local prices, San Francisco, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many healthcare social workers are there in the U.S.?
About 187,630 people work as healthcare social workers nationwide.