Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Social workers, all other, represent a broad group of social work professionals who support individuals and communities in a variety of settings. Nationally, this occupation employs about 81,000 people, indicating a sizeable professional community. The national median annual salary of $69,480 reflects a solid earning level, with higher pay available in select states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 3.9% and about 7,000 annual openings suggest a continuing flow of opportunities for new and experienced workers. A bachelor’s degree is the typical education level, making the field accessible to those completing four-year programs. Success in this career draws on strong interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, combined with adaptability and comfort with information technology. For people interested in community impact and client-focused work, this occupation offers a blend of stable demand, structured entry requirements, and advancement potential through experience and skill development. Related options include other types of social workers and community and social service specialists.
The national median annual salary for social workers, all other, is $69,480. Earnings vary by location, with some states and metro areas offering substantially higher median pay. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington shows a median salary of $102,520 and Massachusetts $101,280, while New York reports $84,010. California and Colorado have median salaries of $63,010 and $61,610, respectively. At the metro level, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has a median salary of $98,320, with San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $93,340 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $93,220. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ reports $85,080 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,480. These figures show that pay can differ notably across regions, so location decisions can play a significant role in long-term earning potential within this field.
Social workers, all other, have national employment of about 81,000, indicating a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 3.9% points to a modest increase in positions over time. In addition, there are approximately 7,000 annual openings, which include new jobs plus opportunities created when workers change roles or leave the labor force. This combination of existing employment, projected growth, and recurring openings suggests a consistent pipeline of positions for qualified candidates. The same 3.9% growth rate also appears in leading states and metro areas by opportunity score, highlighting relatively uniform projected expansion across many parts of the country. For students and career changers, this means the field presents ongoing chances to enter and progress, provided they meet education requirements and build the core skills associated with the profession.
Location can meaningfully shape opportunities for social workers, all other, both in terms of salary and concentration of jobs. Among top states by opportunity score, California stands out for scale, with 6,430 employed and a median salary of $63,010. New York and Colorado also show notable employment levels of 2,470 and 2,190, with median pay of $84,010 and $61,610. Washington and Massachusetts have smaller employment counts, 790 and 540 respectively, but much higher median salaries of $102,520 and $101,280. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earns the highest opportunity score at 77.42, with a median salary of $93,340. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and median pay of $85,080. Other strong metros include San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV; and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, each combining solid employment numbers with relatively high median salaries and the same 3.9% projected growth.
The typical education requirement for social workers, all other, is a bachelor’s degree. This makes the field accessible to individuals completing a four-year college program. While specific majors are not specified, success in this occupation relies on a broad set of transferable skills. Key skills include interpersonal abilities, customer service, and strong speaking and listening, which support direct work with people. Problem solving and decision making, critical and analytical thinking, and adaptability are important for handling complex situations. Writing and reading skills are also central, as is comfort with computers and information technology. Creativity and innovation, along with leadership capabilities, contribute to effectiveness in diverse settings and roles. Individuals who build this mix of communication, analytical, and technology skills during or after their bachelor’s degree are better positioned to pursue opportunities in this occupation, as well as related roles such as other categories of social workers, counselors, and community and social service specialists.
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