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Social Work Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Social Work Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Social Work Manager in the United States is $98,387 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

However, a Social Work Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,826
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,814 to $108,562
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,098
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Social Work Manager Salaries

A Social Work Manager'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 Work Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Social Work Manager'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:

  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (0-2 years): $81,887
  • Social Work Manager (2-5 years): $98,387
  • Social Services Director (5+ years): $136,638
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor0-2 years$81,887
Social Work Manager2-5 years$98,387
Social Services Director5+ years$136,638
View as Graph

How Do Social Work Managers 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 Work Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $108,934.
  • California: $108,521.
  • Massachusetts: $107,075.

Top Paying Cities for Social Work Manager

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: $124,096
  • San Francisco: $122,737
  • Oakland: $120,150

What Skills Can Increase a Social Work Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.21% 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.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
  • Psychiatric (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): Periodically and systematically assessing the client's dietary intake and nutritional status to ensure the effectiveness of nutrition intervention.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.21%
CPR 2.26%
Psychiatric 1.43%
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 Work Manager's salary.

  • Clinical Services: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Clinical Supervision: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Services $104,290
6%
Alignment $104,290
6%
Clinical Supervision $102,322
4%
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Social Work Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Social Work Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,361. While startup companies pay approximate $88,931.

Social Work Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,931
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,878
Established 501~5000 $100,949
Enterprise 5000+ $104,361

Social Work Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Social Work Manager 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, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Social Work Manager positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Social Work Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Social Work Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$118,064$57.020%

How Education impacts an Social Work Manager's Salary?

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

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Social Work Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Social Work Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Social Work Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.6%
High School 1.6%
Associates 3.3%
Bachelors 27.7%
Masters 63.0%
Doctorate 4.3%
View as Graph

Social Work Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Social Work Manager'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 August 01, 2026
$88,814
Average $98,387/year
$108,562
$7,401
Average $8,199/month
$9,047
$1,708
Average $1,892/week
$2,088
$43
Average $47/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,562 $9,047 $2,088 $52
Average $98,387 $8,199 $1,892 $47
25th Percentile $88,814 $7,401 $1,708 $43

Social Work Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Social Work Manager

Next Role

For a Social Work Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Social Services Director role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $136,638 - a projected growth of 39% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Social Work Manager

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

Common company salaries for Social Work Manager

Here are companies hiring for Social Work Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Social Work Manager

1. Where can a Social Work Manager earn the most?

A Social Work Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Social Work Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Social Work Manager is $124,096.

2. What is the highest pay for Social Work Manager?

The highest pay for Social Work Manager is $117,826.

3. What is the lowest pay for Social Work Manager?

The lowest pay for Social Work Manager is $80,098.

4. What are the responsibilities of Social Work Manager?

Plans and implements programs to meet the social and emotional needs of patients and patients' families in a health care setting. Develops plans for patient care after release from treatment. Provides social services to patients/clients and their families. Collaborates with physicians, nurses, patients and their families to assess patient social needs and monitor progress of medical treatment. Coordinates planning for post-discharge care. Supervises professional staff. Prepares departmental budgets and reports. Requires a master's degree of Social Work. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Extensive knowledge of department processes. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 to 3 years supervisory experience may be required.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Social Work Manager?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Social Work Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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