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Social Worker (BSW) Salary in the United States

How much does a Social Worker (BSW) make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Social Worker (BSW) in the United States is $63,028 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,945
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,686 to $70,836
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,912
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Social Worker (BSW) Salaries

A Social Worker (BSW)'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 (BSW) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Social Worker (BSW)'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): $60,946
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $61,135
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $63,611
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $66,874
  • Expert (over 8 years): $67,107
Levels Salary
Entry Level Social Worker (BSW)$60,946
Intermediate Level Social Worker (BSW)$61,135
Senior Level Social Worker (BSW)$63,611
Specialist Level Social Worker (BSW)$66,874
Expert Level Social Worker (BSW)$67,107
View as Graph

How Do Social Worker (BSW)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 (BSW)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,785.
  • California: $69,520.
  • Massachusetts: $68,593.

Top Paying Cities for Social Worker (BSW)

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: $79,497
  • San Francisco: $78,627
  • Oakland: $76,970

What Skills Can Increase a Social Worker (BSW)'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 (BSW)'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 $67,440
7%
Patient Care $66,810
6%
Community Health $65,549
4%
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Social Worker (BSW) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Social Worker (BSW) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,898. While startup companies pay approximate $57,642.

Social Worker (BSW) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $57,642
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,915
Established 501~5000 $65,611
Enterprise 5000+ $67,898

Social Worker (BSW) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Social Worker (BSW) 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 (BSW) positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Social Worker (BSW) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Social Worker (BSW)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$75,634$36.020%

How Education impacts an Social Worker (BSW)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Social Worker (BSW) 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 Worker (BSW) with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,714 and $67,641.

Social Worker (BSW) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Social Worker (BSW)
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 (BSW) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Social Worker (BSW)'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
$56,686
Average $63,028/year
$70,836
$4,724
Average $5,252/month
$5,903
$1,090
Average $1,212/week
$1,362
$27
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,836 $5,903 $1,362 $34
Average $63,028 $5,252 $1,212 $30
25th Percentile $56,686 $4,724 $1,090 $27

Most common benefits for Social Worker (BSW)

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

Common company salaries for Social Worker (BSW)

Here are companies hiring for Social Worker (BSW) and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Social Worker (BSW)

1. Where can a Social Worker (BSW) earn the most?

A Social Worker (BSW)'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 Worker (BSW) earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Social Worker (BSW) is $79,497.

2. What is the highest pay for Social Worker (BSW)?

The highest pay for Social Worker (BSW) is $77,945.

3. What is the lowest pay for Social Worker (BSW)?

The lowest pay for Social Worker (BSW) is $50,912.

4. What are the responsibilities of Social Worker (BSW)?

Interviews clients and their families and coordinates and plans programs and activities to meet their social and emotional needs. Provides crisis intervention and assists families in understanding the implications and complexities of a life situation and its impact on lifestyle. Identifies, assesses, and coordinates client cases; and anticipates their needs related to illness, hospitalization, finances, education, and home/community service. Serves as a liaison between health care facilities and government agencies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Social Worker (BSW)?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Social Worker (BSW) 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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