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

Social Worker Salary in Washington

Median Annual in Washington
$74,480/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$35.81/hr
▲ 25% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Washington

groups Employed in WA
10,720
public U.S. Median
$59,550
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$69,599 #6 of 51

Social Worker pay in Washington, explained

Social workers in Washington earn a median of $74,480 per year ($35.81 per hour), which is 25% above the national median of $59,550. Entry-level workers earn around $48,750, while the most experienced social workers reach about $98,100. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Washington.

Is $74,480 good pay in Washington?

Adjusted for Washington's cost of living (which runs 107% of the U.S. average), that $74,480 is worth about $69,599 in national buying power — ranking Washington #6 for real pay (vs #5 on the sticker number).

See the full Social Worker Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Social Worker pay by experience in Washington

Entry level (10th pct)
$48,750
$23.44/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$74,480
$35.81/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$98,100
$47.16/hr

Social Worker pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs WA
Washington (here) $74,480 $69,599
Oregon $64,130 $62,045 +$10,350
Idaho $59,840 $62,664 +$14,640

Social Worker in Washington: FAQ

How much do social workers make in Washington?

Social workers in Washington earn a median of $74,480 per year ($35.81 per hour), compared with $59,550 nationally.

Does Washington pay social workers well?

At $74,480, Washington pays 25% above the national median for social workers. An estimated 10,720 work in the state.

Social Worker salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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