Social Worker
Social Workers
SOC 21-1020
How Much Does a Social Worker Make?
The national median salary for a Social Worker is $58,380 per year ($28.07/hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data).
That's 11% below the national median salary of $65,470 for all occupations.
How to Become a Social Worker
BSW for some roles; MSW required for clinical positions
ASWB exam + state license REQUIRED for clinical practice
Social Worker Job Outlook
Faster than avg — the BLS projects 5% growth from 2024 to 2034.
That's faster than the average across all occupations (4%).
About 64,000 positions are expected to open annually, from both new roles and replacement needs.
Mental health demand; child welfare; healthcare social work
What It's Like to Work as a Social Worker
This is primarily desk-based or low-physical-effort work.
Some employers offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Career data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024-34 projections (released August 2025). Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2024.
View on BLS.gov