Child and Family Social Worker Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $80,879 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $79,314 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $74,096 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $72,008 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $68,878 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $67,834 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $66,790 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $65,225 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $63,660 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $60,007 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $60,007 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $59,485 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $58,442 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $57,398 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $57,398 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $56,354 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $54,789 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $54,789 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $53,224 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $53,224 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $52,180 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $52,180 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $51,658 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $51,658 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $51,136 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $49,571 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $49,571 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $48,527 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $48,527 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $48,527 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $48,006 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $48,006 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $47,484 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $46,962 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $45,918 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $45,918 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $45,918 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $45,918 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $45,918 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $45,918 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $45,397 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $45,397 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $45,397 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $44,875 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $44,353 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $44,353 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $43,831 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $43,309 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $43,309 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $41,744 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $40,700 | -22.0% | High |
A Child and Family Social Worker's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Child and Family Social Workers typically earn $35,578–$44,290 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $63,892–$70,803 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Child and Family Social Worker role currently has high demand in the job market with a 2.8% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Social Services sector.
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What is the average salary for a Child and Family Social Worker?The average salary for a Child and Family Social Worker in the United States is $52,180 per year, with a median of $49,480.
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What is the starting salary for a Child and Family Social Worker?Entry-level Child and Family Social Workers typically earn between $35,578 and $44,290 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Child and Family Social Workers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Child and Family Social Workers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Child and Family Social Worker make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $52,180, a Child and Family Social Worker earns approximately $25.09 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Child and Family Social Worker a good career in 2026?Yes — the Child and Family Social Worker role has high demand with 2.8% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.