Social Worker salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A Social Worker earns a median of $59,550 a year ($28.63 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $64,000. About 392,550 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $59,550
- Gross pay
- $2,290.38
- Federal income tax
- −$191.00
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$142.00
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$33.21
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,924.17
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $59,550
- Federal
- $4,966
- FICA
- $4,556
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $50,028
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Social Worker salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $78,970 | $80,180 | 5,230 |
| Maryland | $76,390 | $75,400 | 4,710 |
| New Jersey | $76,280 | $78,560 | 7,360 |
| Massachusetts | $75,570 | $77,060 | 10,900 |
| Washington | $74,480 | $74,100 | 10,720 |
| District of Columbia | $73,550 | $79,540 | 2,430 |
| New Hampshire | $71,010 | $70,740 | 1,700 |
| Rhode Island | $69,870 | $70,810 | 2,450 |
| Hawaii | $68,270 | $69,450 | 1,170 |
| Minnesota | $67,450 | $70,890 | 6,540 |
| Vermont | $67,340 | $66,970 | 640 |
| California | $65,200 | $71,940 | 60,310 |
| New York | $65,100 | $72,150 | 30,170 |
| North Dakota | $64,560 | $65,640 | 870 |
| Oregon | $64,130 | $68,400 | 6,630 |
| Colorado | $63,720 | $70,760 | 8,200 |
| Maine | $63,290 | $66,180 | 2,000 |
| Illinois | $63,220 | $70,670 | 19,860 |
| Alaska | $62,630 | $66,110 | 1,260 |
| Virginia | $61,330 | $66,500 | 9,410 |
| Nevada | $61,080 | $65,930 | 4,030 |
| Idaho | $59,840 | $59,900 | 810 |
| North Carolina | $59,610 | $59,660 | 13,010 |
| Wisconsin | $59,280 | $61,310 | 5,710 |
| Michigan | $59,270 | $61,060 | 15,760 |
| Kentucky | $59,100 | $59,270 | 8,470 |
| Louisiana | $56,800 | $54,450 | 1,110 |
| Montana | $56,780 | $54,100 | 1,250 |
| Florida | $56,550 | $57,970 | 14,000 |
| Wyoming | $56,420 | $55,090 | 710 |
| Tennessee | $56,310 | $57,350 | 7,870 |
| New Mexico | $56,160 | $63,790 | 2,990 |
| Texas | $55,680 | $55,700 | 21,670 |
| Kansas | $54,300 | $56,360 | 3,190 |
| Iowa | $52,250 | $57,120 | 3,410 |
| West Virginia | $52,220 | $52,610 | 2,380 |
| Utah | $52,000 | $59,670 | 1,930 |
| South Carolina | $51,800 | $53,860 | 5,520 |
| Ohio | $51,520 | $55,750 | 16,050 |
| South Dakota | $51,100 | $53,320 | 2,050 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,820 | $55,330 | 16,200 |
| Indiana | $50,470 | $53,290 | 6,690 |
| Arizona | $50,150 | $52,420 | 7,560 |
| Delaware | $48,520 | $54,650 | 910 |
| Missouri | $48,520 | $51,360 | 9,620 |
| Nebraska | $47,770 | $51,650 | 4,830 |
| Georgia | $47,510 | $54,390 | 7,110 |
| Alabama | $46,660 | $51,720 | 4,220 |
| Mississippi | $46,530 | $47,750 | 3,310 |
| Oklahoma | $43,950 | $46,730 | 6,500 |
| Arkansas | $43,330 | $46,390 | 1,150 |
Similar jobs
- Substance Abuse: $59,350
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker: $60,280
- Clergy: $60,810
- Community and Social Service Specialist: $56,730
- Health Education Specialist: $64,070
- Educational: $64,330
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist: $66,270
- Marriage and Family Therapist: $66,940
BLS occupation: Child, Family, and School Social Workers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 21-1021). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Social Worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.63; the average is $30.77.
Which state pays child the most?
Connecticut ($78,970 median), followed by Maryland and New Jersey.
What is the salary range for a Social Worker?
The bottom 10% earn under $42,280 and the top 10% earn over $95,530 a year.
How much is $59,550 after taxes?
About $50,028 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $47,642 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.