Healthcare Social Workers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$54,220
- 25th Percentile — Junior$67,630
- 50th Percentile — Median$89,660
- 75th Percentile — Senior$118,740
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$134,880
Half of Healthcare Social Workers in California earn more than $89,660. The top 10% make $134,880 or more, while entry-level workers start around $54,220.
Healthcare Social Workers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 51 states for Healthcare Social Workers pay, at $93,840 per year (30.7% above the U.S. average of $71,790).
- 17,690 people work as Healthcare Social Workers in California — 9.4% of all U.S. Healthcare Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.80: Healthcare Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,220; the top 10% earn over $134,880.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among social services jobs in California, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($93,610).
Healthcare Social Workers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Healthcare Social Workers here earn $93,840 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $93,840 is roughly equivalent to $66,085 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($93,120), Oregon ($85,830), New Jersey ($85,340) are the closest alternatives for Healthcare Social Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Social Services Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $93,610/yr California 0.2% vs this role
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $91,050/yr California 3.0% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $79,440/yr California 15.3% vs this role
- Health Education Specialists $74,720/yr California 20.4% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $71,940/yr California 23.3% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $69,080/yr California 26.4% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $63,740/yr California 32.1% vs this role
- Social and Human Service Assistants $55,100/yr California 41.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Healthcare Social Workers salary in California?
The average Healthcare Social Workers salary in California is $93,840 per year (median $89,660), which is 30.7% above the national average of $71,790.
How does California rank for Healthcare Social Workers pay?
California ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($93,840/yr).
How much do entry-level Healthcare Social Workers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Healthcare Social Workers in California earn about $54,220 per year and the 25th percentile is $67,630.
How much do Healthcare Social Workers make per hour in California?
About $45.12 per hour, based on the $93,840 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Healthcare Social Workers work in California?
BLS counts 17,690 Healthcare Social Workers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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