How Much Money Does a Social Worker Make a Year?

Social workers help people handle various types of life problems effectively. They work with students having trouble in school because of family issues such as child abuse, substance abuse and poverty. Other social workers work with people who are homeless, mentally ill or recovering addicts. They provide counseling services and assist clients in improving their lives. Salary information is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Payscale website.

Starting Salary

Starting median salary for social workers as of 2009 is about $30,000, with an increase to about $34,000 with five years of experience.

Top Salaries

Salaries generally top out around $70,000, and these social workers typically are working in some type of management rather than in a counseling situation.

Lower Pay Situatons

Community mental health and substance abuse service workers generally make the least money, with the median annual salary for mid-career employees at around $30,000.

General Range

As of 2006, 80 percent of social workers were making between $22,000 and $69,000 annually. Narrowing it further, the middle 50 percent were earning between $28,000 and $57,000.

Potential

Social workers who become a supervisor, program manager or executive director of a human services agency or department make the most money. Higher pay also is available in academia.

Resources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Social Workers
• Payscale: Social Worker Salary Charts