On average, social workers in California earn higher salaries than their colleagues in other parts of the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national average salary for all community and social service professionals is $55,760. In California, it’s $65,450 — the second highest in the nation behind Washington, DC.
But that number encompasses all social service employees. With a Master’s in Social Work (MSW), your salary potential could be much higher.
In some organizations, the highest Masters in Social Work salaries exceed mid-range salaries by tens of thousands of dollars. However, this can vary based on your years of experience, specialty, and what type of agency you work for. To help you decide if pursuing a degree is worth it, here are a few jobs you can get with an MSW in California and the salary ranges that often accompany them.
Masters in Social Work Salaries for Frontline Professionals in California
Unlike in many states, you can become a social worker in California without any certain type of degree. But when it comes to handling complex cases and helping particularly vulnerable populations, most agencies prefer or require employees to have an MSW. Fortunately, these advanced frontline MSW careers often come with higher salaries than entry-level roles.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers MSW Salaries
At $66,340, the average salary for California’s child, family, and school social workers is the highest in the nation. But what’s perhaps more impressive is that the highest earners in this specialty often take home upwards of $100,000 every year. That’s almost double the national average for all child, family, and school social workers.
|
Area |
10% (Lowest Earning) |
25% |
50% (Median) |
75% |
90% (Highest Earning) |
|
United States |
$36,380 |
$42,060 |
$50,820 |
$65,250 |
$81,920 |
|
California |
$39,700 |
$47,950 |
$62,610 |
$79,530 |
$103,180 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for child, family, and school social workers.
One of the main reasons for these high income expectations is that California has some of the biggest child welfare systems and school districts in the country. The sheer size of the communities these organizations serve means they need experienced Masters-level social workers who can help people dealing with abuse and neglect, supervise other professionals, and serve people from diverse backgrounds.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Salaries
The annual average wage for mental health and substance abuse social workers in California is an impressive $81,720 — over $20,000 higher than the national average. Masters in Social Work salaries and salaries for professionals in advanced roles can range from $104,000 to over $126,000.
|
Area |
10% (Lowest Earning) |
25% |
50% (Median) |
75% |
90% (Highest Earning) |
|
United States |
$34,630 |
$39,730 |
$51,240 |
$73,050 |
$97,660 |
|
California |
$44,680 |
$54,760 |
$79,530 |
$104,000 |
$126,120 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for mental health and substance abuse social workers.
This is largely because to diagnose and provide advanced treatments for mental health conditions as a social worker in California, you must become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Earning this government-protected title means getting an MSW, undergoing rigorous training, and passing a national exam. But as intimidating as this process may sound, LCSWs are some of the most sought-after and trusted professionals in the field.
Healthcare Social Worker Salaries
Healthcare social workers have the highest average salary of all social workers in California ($88,380). But on top of that, Masters in Social Work salaries in the healthcare industry can exceed $133,000. And even though there are already over 14,000 healthcare social workers employed in the state as of 2022, government projections say there could be about 1,440 new job openings in this specialty every year through 2030.
|
Area |
10% (Lowest Earning) |
25% |
50% (Median) |
75% |
90% (Highest Earning) |
|
United States |
$38,520 |
$47,510 |
$60,280 |
$75,390 |
$87,830 |
|
California |
$50,870 |
$63,760 |
$80,790 |
$105,050 |
$133,100 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for healthcare social workers.
As California’s population ages at an alarming rate and as healthcare costs continue to rise, more people will need emotional and material support as they deal with injuries and chronic illnesses. Healthcare social workers with MSWs can both provide these services themselves and help their organizations put accessible resources and inclusive policies in place.
All Other Types of Social Worker Salaries
Social workers in more non-traditional specialties in California earn an average salary of $69,530 while the top earners bring home anywhere from $86,010 to upwards of $107,000 each year.
|
Area |
10% (Lowest Earning) |
25% |
50% (Median) |
75% |
90% (Highest Earning) |
|
United States |
$37,500 |
$46,340 |
$61,420 |
$81,660 |
$95,560 |
|
California |
$42,750 |
$49,120 |
$62,200 |
$86,010 |
$106,760 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for social workers (all other).
Social workers in the BLS’s all other category often work in environmental justice, social and racial justice, forensic social work, disaster relief, and immigration social work. Compared to other specialties, it may not seem as if these professionals make as much as some of their colleagues, but as society’s needs change, the social service workforce must expand. With an MSW, you could play an important part in helping your organization solve new, more dangerous crises.
Explore Social Work Careers and Salaries in Your City
Masters in Social Work Salaries for Administrators and Other Support Personnel
Not all social workers take on frontline roles. Some transition into leadership and support roles that keep California’s many social service organizations running smoothly. These positions often require a knowledge of things like personnel management, data analysis, and organizational development. If you’re already a social worker in California but don’t have an MSW, earning one can equip you with these skills.
Social and Community Service Managers
Social service program administrators and related personnel make an average wage of $84,220 in California, putting their salaries on par or above many types of frontline workers. Some of these professionals transition into administration after gaining experience in the field while others focus their MSW studies on areas like program management and policy administration.
Area | 10% (Lowest Earning) | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% (Highest Earning) |
United States | $46,770 | $58,590 | $74,240 | $95,420 | $123,320 |
California | $49,210 | $60,060 | $74,920 | $99,950 | $129,330 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for social and community service managers.
While social service agencies of all kinds need talented administrators, the BLS reports that individual and family service agencies, state and local government organizations, and residential treatment facilities employ the most. However, insurance and insurance-related companies, research and development services, the federal government, and hospitals pay social service managers the most on average.
Social Scientists and Researchers
With an average salary of $90,830, social scientists in California make close to the national average for similar workers and often earn more than social workers in frontline or administrative positions. High earning potential and the ability to work in diverse types of organizations make research an even more attractive path for experienced social workers.
Area | 10% (Lowest Earning) | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% (Highest Earning) |
United States | $56,120 | $70,990 | $88,900 | $113,780 | $137,020 |
California | $49,880 | $72,530 | $89,840 | $107,220 | $130,210 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for social scientists and related workers.
For example, a talented social scientist can work for government agencies, colleges, advocacy-focused nonprofits, or healthcare organizations. According to the BLS, researchers who work for individual and family service agencies make a national average salary of $101,030, an almost unheard-of average in the social service field.
Health Education Specialists
Health education specialists aren’t always social workers, but many healthcare social workers enter patient education roles. Health education professionals in California enjoy a comfortable average salary of $74,700, but Masters in Social Work salaries for these roles often reach well into six figures.
Area | 10% (Lowest Earning) | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% (Highest Earning) |
United States | $37,140 | $45,490 | $59,990 | $81,610 | $106,210 |
California | $42,370 | $46,830 | $65,160 | $100,040 | $120,180 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for health education specialists.
In addition to connecting patients to healthcare resources, senior health educators develop community outreach programs, perform research and data analysis, and even supervise and train other healthcare professionals. They’re often instrumental to ensuring an organization keeps inclusivity and holistic care at the center of all operations.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET (a website sponsored by the US Department of Labor) job market trends and salary figures for community and social service professionals, child, family, and school social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, healthcare social workers, social workers (all other), social and community service managers, social scientists and related workers, and health education specialists are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2023.