As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Social Work Manager in the United States is $98,366 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:
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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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | 0-2 years | $81,828 |
| Social Work Manager | 2-5 years | $98,366 |
| Social Services Director | 5+ years | $136,515 |
What Am I Worth?
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:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 4.21% |
| CPR | 2.26% |
| Psychiatric | 1.43% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Clinical Services
|
$104,268 |
6%
|
|
Alignment
|
$104,268 |
6%
|
|
Clinical Supervision
|
$102,301 |
4%
|
|
Initiative
|
$101,317 |
3%
|
|
Psychiatric
|
$101,317 |
3%
|
|
Patient Care
|
$100,333 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Social Work Managers enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Work Manager with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $99,146 and $105,778).
Social Work Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| 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% |
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 April 01, 2026For 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 $136,515 - a projected growth of 39% over your current level.
Salaries for a Social Work Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $81,969 in 2023 to around $82,033 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Social Work Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $81,969 |
| 2024 | $82,844 |
| 2025 | $82,033 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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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 $124,069.
The highest pay for Social Work Manager is $117,854.
The lowest pay for Social Work Manager is $79,966.
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.
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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