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Human Services Social Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Human Services Social Worker make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Human Services Social Worker in the United States is $63,258 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $77,237
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,253 to $70,575
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,876
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Human Services Social Worker Salaries

A Human Services Social Worker'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 Human Services Social Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Human Services Social Worker'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): $62,577
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $62,771
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,315
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $68,662
  • Expert (over 8 years): $68,902
Levels Salary
Entry Level Human Services Social Worker$62,577
Intermediate Level Human Services Social Worker$62,771
Senior Level Human Services Social Worker$65,315
Specialist Level Human Services Social Worker$68,662
Expert Level Human Services Social Worker$68,902
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How Do Human Services Social Worker 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 Human Services Social Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,039.
  • California: $69,773.
  • Massachusetts: $68,844.

Top Paying Cities for Human Services Social Workers

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: $79,787
  • San Francisco: $78,914
  • Oakland: $77,251

What Skills Can Increase a Human Services Social Worker'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 Human Services Social Worker'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 $67,686
7%
Patient Care $67,053
6%
Community Health $65,788
4%
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Human Services Social Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Human Services Social Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$75,909$36.020%

How Education impacts a Human Services Social Worker's Salary?

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

Human Services Social Worker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Human Services Social Worker
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%
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Human Services Social Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Human Services Social Worker'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
$56,253
Average $63,258/year
$70,575
$4,688
Average $5,271/month
$5,881
$1,082
Average $1,216/week
$1,357
$27
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,575 $5,881 $1,357 $34
Average $63,258 $5,271 $1,216 $30
25th Percentile $56,253 $4,688 $1,082 $27

Most common benefits for Human Services Social Worker

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

Common company salaries for Human Services Social Worker

Here are companies hiring for Human Services Social Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Human Services Social Worker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Human Services Social Worker?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Human Services Social Worker 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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