2004 U. S. Department of Labor Statistics-Social Work Salaries
How Much Do Social Workers Earn?
The following is taken verbatim from the U.S. Government’s report (see source below) on social worker salaries:
Median annual earnings of child, family, and school social workers were $34,820 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,840 and $45,140. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,130, and the top 10 percent earned more than $57,860. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of child, family, and school social workers in May 2004 were:
| Elementary and secondary schools | $44,300 |
| Local government | 40,620 |
| State government | 35,070 |
| Individual and family services | 30,680 |
| Other residential care facilities | 30,550 |
Median annual earnings of medical and public health social workers were $40,080 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,620 and $50,080. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,390, and the top 10 percent earned more than $58,740. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and public health social workers in May 2004 were:
| General medical and surgical hospitals | $44,920 |
| Home health care services | 42,710 |
| Local government | 39,390 |
| Nursing care facilities | 35,680 |
| Individual and family services | 32,100 |
Median annual earnings of mental health and substance abuse social workers were $33,920 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,730 and $43,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,590, and the top 10 percent earned more than $54,180. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of mental health and substance abuse social workers in May 2004 were:
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals | $36,170 |
| Local government | 35,720 |
| Outpatient care centers | 33,220 |
| Individual and family services | 32,810 |
| Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities | 29,110 |
Median annual earnings of social workers, all other were $39,440 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,350 and $51,530. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,080, and the top 10 percent earned more than $62,720. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of social workers, all other in May 2004 were:
| Local government | $42,570 |
| State government | 40,940 |
| Individual and family services | 32,280 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Social Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm (visited April 19, 2006)
