verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Social Worker Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$65,200/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$31.35/hr
▲ 9% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
60,310
public U.S. Median
$59,550
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$58,887 #33 of 51

Social Worker pay in California, explained

Social workers in California earn a median of $65,200 per year ($31.35 per hour), which is 9% above the national median of $59,550. Entry-level workers earn around $45,360, while the most experienced social workers reach about $103,050. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $65,200 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $65,200 is worth about $58,887 in national buying power — ranking California #33 for real pay (vs #12 on the sticker number).

See the full Social Worker Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Social Worker pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$45,360
$21.81/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$65,200
$31.35/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$103,050
$49.54/hr

Social Worker pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $65,200 $58,887
Oregon $64,130 $62,045 +$1,070
Nevada $61,080 $61,093 +$4,120
Arizona $50,150 $49,813 +$15,050

Social Worker in California: FAQ

How much do social workers make in California?

Social workers in California earn a median of $65,200 per year ($31.35 per hour), compared with $59,550 nationally.

Does California pay social workers well?

At $65,200, California pays 9% above the national median for social workers. An estimated 60,310 work in the state.

Social Worker salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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