Healthcare Social Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Healthcare Social Workers Make?
Healthcare Social Workers earn a median annual salary of $68,090 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $45,030 at the 10th percentile to $100,870 at the 90th percentile — a range of $55,840. The highest-paying state is California at $92,970.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,030 |
| 25th percentile | $55,360 |
| Median (50th) | $68,090 |
| 75th percentile | $83,410 |
| 90th percentile | $100,870 |
Healthcare Social Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $92,970 |
| District of Columbia | $92,600 |
| Oregon | $85,150 |
| Hawaii | $84,640 |
| Connecticut | $81,900 |
| New Jersey | $81,710 |
| Rhode Island | $79,460 |
| Vermont | $78,390 |
| New Hampshire | $78,000 |
| Alaska | $77,990 |
| Nevada | $76,280 |
| Washington | $75,670 |
| Maine | $72,520 |
| Utah | $72,370 |
| Minnesota | $72,330 |
| Massachusetts | $72,280 |
| Idaho | $71,240 |
| Texas | $69,960 |
| Illinois | $68,710 |
| Maryland | $67,970 |
| New York | $67,250 |
| Indiana | $67,220 |
| Florida | $67,090 |
| Arizona | $66,540 |
| Michigan | $66,440 |
| New Mexico | $66,090 |
| South Carolina | $65,760 |
| Wisconsin | $65,240 |
| North Carolina | $65,140 |
| Kentucky | $64,840 |
| Wyoming | $64,800 |
| Ohio | $64,750 |
| Louisiana | $64,380 |
| Kansas | $64,280 |
| Virginia | $64,200 |
| North Dakota | $63,660 |
| Iowa | $63,230 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,010 |
| Colorado | $62,740 |
| Delaware | $62,730 |
| Georgia | $62,090 |
| Arkansas | $62,040 |
| Tennessee | $61,910 |
| West Virginia | $60,670 |
| Nebraska | $60,300 |
| Montana | $58,760 |
| Alabama | $58,000 |
| Mississippi | $56,690 |
| Missouri | $53,060 |
| South Dakota | $51,960 |
| Oklahoma | $51,830 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Healthcare Social Workers
Healthcare Social Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$45,030 – $55,360 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$68,090 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$83,410 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $100,870+ |
How to Earn More as a Healthcare Social Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Healthcare Social Workers in Napa, CA earn $141,490 — $73,400 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($83,410) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Healthcare Social Worker Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Social Workerthis career | $68,090 |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $78,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $95,830 |
| Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor | N/A |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $63,780 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Healthcare Social Worker requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
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SOC: 21-1022.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.