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Social Worker - Bachelor's Salary in the United States

How much does a Social Worker - Bachelor's make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Social Worker - Bachelor's in the United States is $63,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Social Worker - Bachelor's's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,991
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,690 to $70,890
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,863
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Social Worker - Bachelor's Salaries

A Social Worker - Bachelor's's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Social Worker - Bachelor's Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Social Worker - Bachelor's's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $60,989
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,180
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,672
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $66,932
  • Expert (over 8 years): $67,165
Levels Salary
Entry Level Social Worker - Bachelor's$60,989
Intermediate Level Social Worker - Bachelor's$61,180
Senior Level Social Worker - Bachelor's$63,672
Specialist Level Social Worker - Bachelor's$66,932
Expert Level Social Worker - Bachelor's$67,165
View as Graph

How Do Social Worker - Bachelor's Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Social Worker - Bachelor's. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,790.
  • California: $69,590.
  • Massachusetts: $68,590.

Top Paying Cities for Social Worker - Bachelor's

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,490
  • San Francisco: $78,690
  • Oakland: $76,990

What Skills Can Increase a Social Worker - Bachelor's's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 7.82% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Discharge Planning (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): Developing a personalized plan to ensure the smooth transition of a patient from a health organization to the patient's home or residential care.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 2.13% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 7.82%
Discharge Planning 3.73%
Patient Care 2.13%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Social Worker - Bachelor's's salary.

  • Care Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Community Health: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Care Management $67,506
7%
Patient Care $66,875
6%
Community Health $65,614
4%
Get Latest Data

Social Worker - Bachelor's Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Social Worker - Bachelor's salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,008. While startup companies pay approximate $57,700.

Social Worker - Bachelor's Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $57,700
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,989
Established 501~5000 $65,702
Enterprise 5000+ $68,008

Social Worker - Bachelor's Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Social Worker - Bachelor's roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Social Worker - Bachelor's positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Social Worker - Bachelor's as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Social Worker - Bachelor's

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$75,708$36.020%

How Education impacts a Social Worker - Bachelor's's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Social Worker - Bachelor's enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Social Worker - Bachelor's with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,409 and $67,324).

Social Worker - Bachelor's Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Social Worker - Bachelor's
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 2.3%
Associates 3.7%
Bachelors 82.5%
Masters 10.9%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Social Worker - Bachelor's Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Social Worker - Bachelor's's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$56,690
Average $63,090/year
$70,890
$4,724
Average $5,258/month
$5,908
$1,090
Average $1,213/week
$1,363
$27
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,890 $5,908 $1,363 $34
Average $63,090 $5,258 $1,213 $30
25th Percentile $56,690 $4,724 $1,090 $27

Most common benefits for Social Worker - Bachelor's

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Social Worker - Bachelor's

Here are companies hiring for Social Worker - Bachelor's and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Social Worker - Bachelor's

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Social Worker - Bachelor's?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Social Worker - Bachelor's roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Will social workers ever get paid more?

The salary data for social workers indicates a positive trend in earnings. Currently, the minimum salary is $60,090, the mid-range salary is $66,990, and the maximum salary reaches $74,790. This reflects a steady increase in compensation, suggesting that social workers may continue to see higher pay in the future as demand for their services grows.

3. What are the top 3 industries that employ social workers?

The top three industries that employ social workers are healthcare, education, and social services. In these sectors, social workers play a crucial role in supporting individuals and communities. The salary for social workers with a bachelor's degree typically ranges from a minimum of $60,090 to a maximum of $74,790, with a median salary around $66,990.

4. Can I make a good living as a social worker?

Yes, you can make a good living as a social worker. With a Bachelor's degree, salaries typically range from $60,090 to $74,790 annually, with a median salary of $66,990. This is significantly higher than the national average of $55,356, indicating that social work can be a rewarding career both personally and financially.

5. What is the lowest paid social worker?

The lowest-paid social workers earn a minimum salary of $60,090 per year. In contrast, the median salary for social workers is $66,990, while the highest earners can make up to $74,790 annually. This reflects a significant increase compared to previous data, highlighting the evolving compensation in the field.

6. Can you make 6 figures with a social work degree?

Yes, while the average salary for social workers with a bachelor's degree ranges from $60,090 to $74,790, reaching a six-figure income is possible with experience, specialization, or in high-demand areas. Factors such as location and additional qualifications can also influence earning potential.

7. What field in social work is the best?

The best field in social work often depends on personal interests and strengths. However, clinical social work is highly regarded, offering opportunities to work directly with clients in mental health settings. With a Bachelor's degree, social workers can expect salaries ranging from $60,090 to $74,790, with a median salary of $66,990, reflecting the demand and importance of this profession.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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