390 metro areas

School Social Worker Salary by City (2026)

School social workers earn the most in San Jose, CA, an average of $89,810 a year, against $64,000 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in Springfield, IL ($83,190 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.

US average (mean): $64,000BLS OEWS, May 2025
Highest-paying city: $89,810San Jose, CA
Best after cost of living: $83,190Springfield, IL
Metro areas: 390With their own estimate

Top cities

Highest-paying cities for school social workers

Mean annual wage

Top 10 metro areas

San Jose, CA$89,810
Norwich, CT$81,000
Hartford, CT$80,350
San Francisco, CA$80,230
Waterbury, CT$80,020
Bridgeport, CT$80,000
New Haven, CT$79,600
Salisbury, MD$79,410
Boston, MA-NH$78,960
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV$78,120

Top 10 metro areas by mean wage for school social workers
Item	Value
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$89,810
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$81,000
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$80,350
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$80,230
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$80,020
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$80,000
New Haven, CT	$79,600
Salisbury, MD	$79,410
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$78,960
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$78,120

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025

At national-average prices

Mean wage ÷ BEA price level

Springfield, IL$77,150 nominal$83,190
Salisbury, MD$79,410 nominal$83,050
San Jose, CA$89,810 nominal$81,330
Pittsfield, MA$76,980 nominal$80,940
Norwich, CT$81,000 nominal$80,640
Springfield, MA$77,190 nominal$80,360
Waterbury, CT$80,020 nominal$80,200
Longview, WA$78,040 nominal$80,000
Hartford, CT$80,350 nominal$78,200
Binghamton, NY$72,280 nominal$77,840

Top 10 metro areas by price-adjusted mean wage for school social workers
Item	Value
Springfield, IL	$83,190
Salisbury, MD	$83,050
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$81,330
Pittsfield, MA	$80,940
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$80,640
Springfield, MA	$80,360
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$80,200
Longview-Kelso, WA	$80,000
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$78,200
Binghamton, NY	$77,840

Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024

Every city

School Social Worker salary in every metro area

Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.

School Social Worker pay in every metro area with a BLS estimate
#	Metro area	Mean	Entry (Level I)	Experienced (Level IV)	At US prices
1	San Jose, CA	$89,810	$59,680	$104,670	$81,330
2	Norwich, CT	$81,000	$56,530	$93,040	$80,640
3	Hartford, CT	$80,350	$54,890	$92,910	$78,200
4	San Francisco, CA	$80,230	$54,790	$92,750	$69,400
5	Waterbury, CT	$80,020	$54,500	$92,580	$80,200
6	Bridgeport, CT	$80,000	$55,000	$92,290	$74,860
7	New Haven, CT	$79,600	$53,440	$92,500	$76,130
8	Salisbury, MD	$79,410	$54,200	$91,830	$83,050
9	Boston, MA-NH	$78,960	$54,770	$90,850	$72,930
10	Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV	$78,120	$53,540	$90,210	$71,750
11	Longview, WA	$78,040	$57,350	$88,250	$80,000
12	Vallejo, CA	$77,630	$55,410	$88,570	$71,560
13	Springfield, MA	$77,190	$55,080	$88,070	$80,360
14	Springfield, IL	$77,150	$47,470	$91,750	$83,190
15	Pittsfield, MA	$76,980	$55,600	$87,530	$80,940
16	Olympia, WA	$76,940	$53,480	$88,500	$74,220
17	Barnstable Town, MA	$76,480	$56,370	$86,400	$77,760
18	New York, NY-NJ	$76,380	$52,640	$88,090	$67,860
19	Kiryas Joel, NY	$76,360	$51,670	$88,520	$69,780
20	Seattle, WA	$75,880	$56,010	$85,680	$68,280
21	Bremerton, WA	$75,570	$52,290	$87,030	$71,560
22	Denver, CO	$75,500	$51,330	$87,400	$71,370
23	Trenton, NJ	$75,400	$47,360	$89,210	$73,080
24	Mount Vernon, WA	$75,380	$51,670	$87,070	$73,580
25	Oxnard, CA	$74,920	$52,980	$85,720	$67,780
26	Los Angeles, CA	$73,990	$47,530	$87,030	$65,150
27	Greeley, CO	$73,740	$50,940	$84,950	$73,610
28	Hanford, CA	$73,530	$53,060	$83,620	$72,360
29	Baltimore, MD	$73,300	$45,860	$86,820	$70,150
30	Minneapolis, MN-WI	$73,050	$51,080	$83,870	$69,690
31	Wenatchee, WA	$72,860	$50,670	$83,800	$70,160
32	Worcester, MA	$72,740	$50,900	$83,490	$70,950
33	Binghamton, NY	$72,280	$46,260	$85,110	$77,840
34	Boulder, CO	$72,220	$52,560	$81,910	$68,650
35	Walla Walla, WA	$72,070	$49,320	$83,280	$73,150
36	Chicago, IL-IN	$72,030	$49,960	$82,910	$69,530
37	Providence, RI-MA	$71,700	$47,260	$83,740	$70,450
38	Medford, OR	$71,510	$51,020	$81,620	$70,500
39	Casper, WY	$71,410	$44,800	$84,510	$76,110
40	Kingston, NY	$71,410	$51,000	$81,470	$70,910
41	San Luis Obispo, CA	$71,070	$49,670	$81,620	$65,440
42	Fairbanks, AK	$70,950	$53,350	$79,640	$68,740
43	Kennewick, WA	$70,700	$49,570	$81,120	$70,640
44	Atlantic City, NJ	$70,680	$45,860	$82,910	$71,500
45	Vineland, NJ	$70,620	$50,630	$80,450	$73,590
46	Grants Pass, OR	$70,450	$50,590	$80,230	$72,060
47	Visalia, CA	$70,320	$50,670	$80,020	$70,440
48	Salinas, CA	$70,220	$51,380	$79,500	$64,400
49	Spokane, WA	$70,080	$48,510	$80,680	$69,840
50	Salem, OR	$70,050	$51,230	$79,310	$67,580
51	Modesto, CA	$69,640	$52,730	$77,960	$66,890
52	Lexington Park, MD	$69,530	$42,240	$82,990	$69,010
53	Urban Honolulu, HI	$69,450	$50,690	$78,710	$62,590
54	Albany, NY	$69,410	$52,120	$77,940	$69,710
55	Hagerstown, MD-WV	$69,370	$46,070	$80,850	$73,660
56	Kahului, HI	$69,330	$52,120	$77,790	$63,380
57	Stockton, CA	$68,930	$47,650	$79,440	$65,590
58	Jackson, MI	$68,890	$50,480	$77,960	$75,060
59	Portland, OR-WA	$68,830	$51,420	$77,400	$65,290
60	Yakima, WA	$68,740	$46,260	$79,830	$71,950
61	Eugene, OR	$68,580	$48,980	$78,230	$67,520
62	Yuba City, CA	$68,540	$49,340	$78,000	$65,760
63	Burlington, VT	$68,410	$57,470	$73,800	$67,770
64	Bellingham, WA	$68,310	$49,860	$77,400	$66,110
65	Fort Collins, CO	$68,270	$49,420	$77,540	$67,510
66	Farmington, NM	$68,200	$40,410	$81,910	$77,760
67	Bakersfield, CA	$68,180	$48,840	$77,730	$67,580
68	Anchorage, AK	$68,100	$49,210	$77,400	$64,600
69	Portland, ME	$67,410	$52,600	$74,710	$66,180
70	Napa, CA	$67,310	$50,230	$75,730	$59,800
71	Buffalo, NY	$67,270	$49,250	$76,150	$70,190
72	Santa Rosa, CA	$67,020	$42,890	$78,890	$62,180
73	Virginia Beach, VA-NC	$66,850	$47,670	$76,290	$68,260
74	Oshkosh, WI	$66,730	$50,560	$74,670	$71,810
75	Sacramento, CA	$66,640	$48,980	$75,340	$62,470
76	San Diego, CA	$66,600	$47,380	$76,070	$59,520
77	Las Vegas, NV	$66,560	$47,320	$76,040	$66,420
78	Grand Forks, ND-MN	$66,480	$52,480	$73,360	$76,710
79	Bismarck, ND	$66,350	$51,650	$73,610	$72,890
80	Elmira, NY	$66,210	$49,800	$74,300	$70,140
81	Bend, OR	$66,190	$51,040	$73,630	$63,890
82	Jacksonville, NC	$66,160	$47,740	$75,230	$71,850
83	Riverside, CA	$66,140	$46,610	$75,770	$62,140
84	Fresno, CA	$65,810	$48,460	$74,360	$64,420
85	Santa Cruz, CA	$65,810	$44,300	$76,400	$59,880
86	Provo, UT	$65,710	$40,750	$78,000	$66,890
87	Ann Arbor, MI	$65,500	$48,010	$74,110	$64,930
88	Chico, CA	$65,230	$46,630	$74,360	$64,460
89	Rockford, IL	$65,230	$41,580	$76,880	$70,780
90	Utica, NY	$65,230	$47,590	$73,900	$70,380
91	Lewiston, ME	$65,190	$53,730	$70,840	$68,810
92	Madison, WI	$64,880	$44,320	$74,980	$66,690
93	Richmond, VA	$64,830	$45,880	$74,150	$66,250
94	Syracuse, NY	$64,810	$50,540	$71,840	$67,690
95	Carson City, NV	$64,790	$47,590	$73,280	$66,020
96	Glens Falls, NY	$64,670	$52,480	$70,680	$68,170
97	Rochester, NY	$64,650	$47,720	$72,990	$66,630
98	Albany, OR	$64,440	$39,690	$76,650	$63,110
99	Champaign, IL	$64,420	$43,080	$74,940	$69,490
100	Santa Maria, CA	$64,360	$47,740	$72,530	$59,160
101	Rochester, MN	$64,270	$45,470	$73,530	$70,770
102	Las Cruces, NM	$64,190	$39,440	$76,400	$71,150
103	Lexington, KY	$64,080	$42,970	$74,480	$68,990
104	Colorado Springs, CO	$64,020	$45,160	$73,300	$63,570
105	Duluth, MN-WI	$64,020	$48,190	$71,800	$72,120
106	Manchester, NH	$64,020	$43,180	$74,280	$60,590
107	Cape Coral, FL	$64,000	$47,590	$72,070	$62,530
108	Lawrence, KS	$64,000	$48,070	$71,840	$70,920
109	Durham, NC	$63,960	$45,410	$73,090	$65,550
110	Watertown, NY	$63,790	$46,320	$72,400	$72,740
111	Albuquerque, NM	$63,770	$40,100	$75,420	$66,740
112	Salt Lake City, UT	$63,750	$41,350	$74,800	$63,200
113	Wilmington, NC	$63,500	$45,950	$72,160	$65,860
114	St. Cloud, MN	$63,380	$48,110	$70,910	$72,330
115	Raleigh, NC	$63,340	$46,470	$71,660	$64,530
116	St. George, UT	$63,250	$39,480	$74,960	$64,990
117	Milwaukee, WI	$63,190	$44,760	$72,280	$65,190
118	Reno, NV	$63,130	$47,880	$70,620	$62,500
119	Bowling Green, KY	$62,920	$42,990	$72,720	$69,770
120	Lewiston, ID-WA	$62,920	$40,020	$74,190	$69,020
121	Bangor, ME	$62,900	$48,360	$70,030	$65,180
122	Decatur, IL	$62,900	$44,800	$71,820	$71,140
123	Charlotte, NC-SC	$62,860	$45,720	$71,300	$64,570
124	Lansing, MI	$62,800	$44,240	$71,950	$66,110
125	Pueblo, CO	$62,710	$45,590	$71,120	$68,340
126	Peoria, IL	$62,690	$48,210	$69,830	$68,720
127	Sebastian, FL	$62,570	$40,080	$73,650	$63,650
128	Idaho Falls, ID	$62,480	$44,760	$71,220	$66,180
129	Fargo, ND-MN	$62,460	$48,210	$69,490	$68,730
130	La Crosse, WI-MN	$62,360	$42,560	$72,090	$67,950
131	Santa Fe, NM	$62,280	$41,140	$72,680	$63,060
132	Kankakee, IL	$62,230	$40,460	$72,970	$64,560
133	Minot, ND	$62,230	$44,350	$71,050	$71,510
134	Charlottesville, VA	$62,190	$46,160	$70,120	$62,730
135	Monroe, MI	$62,190	$44,870	$70,720	$66,520
136	Winchester, VA-WV	$62,130	$45,360	$70,390	$64,420
137	Ithaca, NY	$62,090	$44,990	$70,510	$60,100
138	Flint, MI	$61,920	$44,490	$70,510	$66,560
139	Niles, MI	$61,920	$44,450	$70,530	$67,030
140	Harrisonburg, VA	$61,820	$46,050	$69,580	$65,150
141	Mankato, MN	$61,590	$43,890	$70,300	$67,710
142	Twin Falls, ID	$61,420	$40,080	$71,930	$66,680
143	Detroit, MI	$61,400	$43,580	$70,160	$61,220
144	Wausau, WI	$61,260	$45,680	$68,930	$66,120
145	Amherst Town, MA	$61,070	$40,730	$71,090	$60,920
146	Davenport, IA-IL	$60,960	$42,430	$70,120	$68,430
147	Redding, CA	$60,960	$47,030	$67,830	$60,550
148	Tampa, FL	$60,920	$44,530	$69,010	$60,380
149	Punta Gorda, FL	$60,880	$44,550	$68,910	$60,560
150	Traverse City, MI	$60,880	$43,280	$69,560	$65,200
151	Killeen, TX	$60,820	$45,640	$68,310	$66,740
152	Muskegon, MI	$60,820	$43,890	$69,140	$65,740
153	Elizabethtown, KY	$60,780	$42,450	$69,780	$67,110
154	Boise City, ID	$60,760	$44,890	$68,560	$61,750
155	Harrisburg, PA	$60,690	$44,930	$68,450	$61,520
156	New Orleans, LA	$60,510	$43,280	$68,970	$65,350
157	Homosassa Springs, FL	$60,440	$41,850	$69,620	$64,660
158	Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$60,400	$43,470	$68,740	$58,900
159	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$60,380	$42,310	$69,280	$64,870
160	Appleton, WI	$60,170	$43,240	$68,490	$65,110
161	Eau Claire, WI	$60,170	$44,950	$67,660	$64,840
162	Fayetteville, NC	$60,170	$45,140	$67,600	$65,420
163	North Port, FL	$59,900	$42,580	$68,430	$58,490
164	Merced, CA	$59,860	$46,800	$66,290	$60,910
165	Asheville, NC	$59,800	$45,820	$66,710	$61,970
166	Grand Junction, CO	$59,800	$43,010	$68,060	$62,630
167	Houma, LA	$59,800	$49,360	$64,960	$70,270
168	Austin, TX	$59,780	$45,280	$66,910	$60,960
169	Saginaw, MI	$59,740	$41,100	$68,910	$65,730
170	Allentown, PA-NJ	$59,510	$42,100	$68,080	$59,530
171	Battle Creek, MI	$59,490	$43,660	$67,290	$65,710
172	Janesville, WI	$59,490	$45,340	$66,460	$63,490
173	Racine, WI	$59,490	$44,950	$66,640	$61,990
174	Corvallis, OR	$59,470	$41,790	$68,180	$57,170
175	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$59,400	$43,700	$67,120	$64,440
176	Slidell, LA	$59,320	$42,020	$67,850	$63,970
177	Bloomington, IL	$59,200	$45,410	$66,000	$63,290
178	Paducah, KY-IL	$59,110	$42,100	$67,500	$68,670
179	Des Moines, IA	$59,050	$43,740	$66,600	$64,390
180	San Angelo, TX	$59,050	$48,480	$64,270	$63,870
181	Grand Rapids, MI	$58,970	$43,510	$66,560	$61,720
182	Columbus, OH	$58,930	$46,090	$65,230	$61,730
183	Miami, FL	$58,820	$43,640	$66,310	$51,530
184	Pocatello, ID	$58,550	$41,830	$66,810	$65,860
185	Charleston, SC	$58,470	$41,580	$66,790	$57,910
186	McAllen, TX	$58,390	$38,880	$68,000	$67,980
187	Cleveland, OH	$58,340	$44,370	$65,230	$62,110
188	Greensboro, NC	$58,320	$44,910	$64,920	$62,800
189	Cleveland, TN	$58,200	$44,240	$65,080	$66,080
190	Bozeman, MT	$58,180	$46,320	$64,000	$56,760
191	Grand Island, NE	$58,160	$41,290	$66,480	$67,120
192	Staunton, VA	$58,120	$46,900	$63,630	$63,780
193	Sheboygan, WI	$58,090	$43,390	$65,330	$61,790
194	Jacksonville, FL	$58,050	$42,560	$65,670	$58,350
195	Crestview, FL	$57,890	$39,640	$66,850	$59,660
196	Dallas, TX	$57,870	$42,870	$65,230	$56,140
197	El Centro, CA	$57,870	$44,640	$64,400	$60,800
198	Clarksville, TN-KY	$57,840	$43,450	$64,940	$63,600
199	Sherman, TX	$57,840	$42,120	$65,600	$61,680
200	Green Bay, WI	$57,820	$43,180	$65,020	$62,110
201	Kenosha, WI	$57,820	$44,660	$64,290	$57,180
202	Coeur d'Alene, ID	$57,740	$40,830	$66,080	$58,740
203	Waterloo, IA	$57,740	$43,010	$65,000	$66,320
204	Hickory, NC	$57,720	$45,240	$63,860	$65,230
205	Morristown, TN	$57,700	$45,880	$63,500	$66,810
206	Baton Rouge, LA	$57,680	$41,520	$65,620	$63,540
207	Wichita, KS	$57,660	$43,870	$64,440	$64,830
208	Houston, TX	$57,600	$43,680	$64,440	$58,400
209	Lancaster, PA	$57,450	$44,100	$64,020	$58,470
210	Greenville, NC	$57,430	$46,240	$62,940	$64,960
211	Owensboro, KY	$57,430	$40,370	$65,830	$64,810
212	Winston, NC	$57,410	$45,550	$63,250	$62,370
213	Corpus Christi, TX	$57,390	$43,450	$64,250	$61,930
214	St. Louis, MO-IL	$57,370	$43,200	$64,360	$60,330
215	Burlington, NC	$57,260	$45,510	$63,070	$61,440
216	Johnson City, TN	$56,990	$44,640	$63,070	$64,810
217	Naples, FL	$56,950	$41,500	$64,540	$55,180
218	Nashville, TN	$56,950	$43,970	$63,340	$59,110
219	Lebanon, PA	$56,910	$40,790	$64,850	$61,050
220	Roanoke, VA	$56,830	$42,160	$64,040	$60,700
221	San Antonio, TX	$56,830	$43,260	$63,500	$60,000
222	Victoria, TX	$56,830	$40,830	$64,690	$63,260
223	Waco, TX	$56,780	$43,830	$63,170	$61,350
224	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$56,760	$42,970	$63,540	$59,520
225	Odessa, TX	$56,660	$43,330	$63,230	$60,340
226	Brunswick, GA	$56,430	$38,270	$65,370	$64,340
227	Pensacola, FL	$56,370	$41,180	$63,840	$57,690
228	Atlanta, GA	$56,330	$38,250	$65,250	$56,300
229	Goldsboro, NC	$56,260	$43,740	$62,440	$63,600
230	Orlando, FL	$56,180	$43,410	$62,480	$55,390
231	Toledo, OH	$56,160	$42,240	$63,000	$61,410
232	Fond du Lac, WI	$55,950	$42,830	$62,420	$61,050
233	Knoxville, TN	$55,930	$40,060	$63,770	$60,420
234	Gadsden, AL	$55,910	$38,830	$64,310	$65,280
235	Midland, MI	$55,870	$38,500	$64,420	$60,780
236	Helena, MT	$55,810	$44,180	$61,530	$58,330
237	Dayton, OH	$55,790	$43,910	$61,650	$60,190
238	Pinehurst, NC	$55,740	$41,480	$62,770	$63,100
239	Bay City, MI	$55,720	$39,350	$63,790	$60,620
240	Deltona, FL	$55,700	$40,000	$63,440	$56,050
241	Gainesville, GA	$55,680	$42,790	$62,030	$57,540
242	Topeka, KS	$55,660	$47,820	$59,530	$62,670
243	Montgomery, AL	$55,600	$39,850	$63,340	$62,000
244	Jackson, TN	$55,470	$40,160	$63,020	$64,860
245	Lynchburg, VA	$55,410	$43,450	$61,320	$62,010
246	Hilton Head Island, SC	$55,350	$41,810	$62,030	$56,470
247	Kingsport, TN-VA	$55,240	$39,580	$62,940	$63,900
248	Wichita Falls, TX	$55,240	$39,120	$63,190	$61,710
249	Reading, PA	$55,220	$41,020	$62,230	$56,890
250	Iowa City, IA	$55,140	$44,160	$60,530	$60,260
251	York, PA	$55,140	$39,850	$62,670	$57,440
252	Logan, UT-ID	$55,040	$38,770	$63,040	$57,380
253	Spartanburg, SC	$55,040	$42,020	$61,440	$60,450
254	Cheyenne, WY	$54,910	$36,920	$63,790	$56,910
255	Pittsburgh, PA	$54,910	$40,540	$61,980	$58,000
256	Charleston, WV	$54,830	$44,320	$60,010	$61,800
257	Akron, OH	$54,810	$43,760	$60,260	$58,700
258	Dubuque, IA	$54,680	$42,740	$60,570	$62,610
259	Great Falls, MT	$54,620	$41,830	$60,920	$56,400
260	Ogden, UT	$54,620	$38,670	$62,480	$54,430
261	Indianapolis, IN	$54,580	$42,520	$60,530	$57,030
262	Elkhart, IN	$54,520	$41,450	$60,960	$60,360
263	Jefferson City, MO	$54,520	$40,870	$61,240	$61,970
264	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$54,500	$40,770	$61,260	$63,040
265	Warner Robins, GA	$54,450	$31,720	$65,640	$58,060
266	Blacksburg, VA	$54,370	$43,450	$59,760	$58,650
267	Sumter, SC	$54,350	$39,810	$61,510	$61,750
268	Wildwood, FL	$54,350	$47,690	$57,640	$63,620
269	Chattanooga, TN-GA	$54,310	$40,750	$60,990	$59,380
270	Hinesville, GA	$54,310	$37,790	$62,420	$57,820
271	Midland, TX	$54,310	$41,890	$60,420	$56,700
272	Lakeland, FL	$54,160	$40,560	$60,860	$55,750
273	Chambersburg, PA	$54,140	$41,770	$60,220	$57,210
274	Kalamazoo, MI	$54,140	$39,580	$61,300	$57,090
275	Savannah, GA	$54,120	$40,890	$60,630	$56,850
276	El Paso, TX	$53,850	$38,850	$61,260	$59,890
277	College Station, TX	$53,810	$39,440	$60,900	$59,160
278	Springfield, OH	$53,790	$40,640	$60,260	$59,450
279	Palm Bay, FL	$53,750	$40,850	$60,110	$53,750
280	Manhattan, KS	$53,730	$42,620	$59,200	$59,590
281	Panama City, FL	$53,710	$41,120	$59,900	$55,200
282	Decatur, AL	$53,640	$40,850	$59,950	$61,510
283	Omaha, NE-IA	$53,640	$43,080	$58,840	$58,360
284	Kansas City, MO-KS	$53,560	$42,930	$58,800	$57,880
285	Phoenix, AZ	$53,520	$44,030	$58,200	$51,800
286	South Bend, IN-MI	$53,500	$41,500	$59,400	$57,610
287	Port St. Lucie, FL	$53,460	$39,710	$60,240	$53,340
288	Dover, DE	$53,440	$44,220	$57,970	$54,810
289	Williamsport, PA	$53,370	$37,110	$61,380	$57,790
290	Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$53,310	$41,140	$59,300	$58,820
291	Fort Wayne, IN	$53,270	$41,750	$58,970	$57,540
292	Laredo, TX	$53,140	$38,850	$60,170	$61,110
293	Tyler, TX	$53,060	$37,250	$60,840	$57,580
294	Huntington, WV-KY-OH	$53,000	$39,350	$59,720	$59,940
295	Columbus, IN	$52,920	$41,330	$58,610	$56,900
296	Parkersburg, WV	$52,870	$42,810	$57,820	$60,720
297	Cedar Rapids, IA	$52,850	$41,410	$58,490	$59,410
298	Greenville, SC	$52,830	$40,560	$58,860	$56,650
299	Missoula, MT	$52,790	$41,830	$58,180	$54,740
300	Florence, SC	$52,770	$38,850	$59,630	$60,810
301	Columbia, SC	$52,750	$40,120	$58,990	$56,320
302	Lima, OH	$52,750	$45,120	$56,510	$58,830
303	Canton, OH	$52,600	$41,200	$58,220	$58,830
304	Amarillo, TX	$52,560	$36,360	$60,530	$57,240
305	Augusta, GA-SC	$52,480	$37,920	$59,650	$57,100
306	Gettysburg, PA	$52,400	$39,310	$58,820	$54,940
307	Michigan City, IN	$52,370	$42,450	$57,260	$57,120
308	Tallahassee, FL	$52,350	$37,630	$59,590	$55,740
309	Muncie, IN	$52,330	$42,700	$57,100	$59,370
310	Ames, IA	$52,250	$40,100	$58,240	$58,820
311	Florence, AL	$52,190	$40,560	$57,930	$61,530
312	Prescott Valley, AZ	$52,190	$42,140	$57,140	$53,120
313	Columbus, GA-AL	$52,170	$36,570	$59,860	$58,420
314	Gainesville, FL	$52,120	$40,140	$58,030	$53,880
315	Beaumont, TX	$52,080	$35,940	$60,010	$57,840
316	Rapid City, SD	$52,060	$40,980	$57,510	$58,390
317	Billings, MT	$51,900	$40,370	$57,570	$55,490
318	Bloomington, IN	$51,850	$39,980	$57,700	$54,530
319	Sierra Vista, AZ	$51,830	$40,680	$57,320	$58,080
320	Ocala, FL	$51,810	$39,100	$58,070	$54,400
321	Albany, GA	$51,790	$39,080	$58,050	$59,070
322	Flagstaff, AZ	$51,730	$43,700	$55,700	$51,560
323	Anniston, AL	$51,630	$38,360	$58,180	$60,070
324	Beckley, WV	$51,560	$42,270	$56,140	$58,350
325	Mobile, AL	$51,520	$39,920	$57,240	$58,480
326	Sandusky, OH	$51,440	$43,970	$55,120	$57,620
327	Myrtle Beach, SC	$51,420	$34,900	$59,530	$54,910
328	Rocky Mount, NC	$51,420	$39,710	$57,180	$58,420
329	Longview, TX	$51,330	$39,870	$56,970	$57,360
330	Wheeling, WV-OH	$51,330	$40,930	$56,450	$58,120
331	Lake Charles, LA	$51,310	$35,710	$59,010	$59,770
332	Lake Havasu City, AZ	$51,270	$42,200	$55,740	$54,490
333	Abilene, TX	$51,210	$37,750	$57,820	$56,670
334	Evansville, IN	$51,130	$42,370	$55,430	$55,860
335	Kokomo, IN	$51,130	$40,680	$56,260	$57,030
336	Springfield, MO	$51,110	$39,940	$56,600	$57,700
337	Fayetteville, AR	$51,080	$37,170	$57,950	$55,910
338	Lincoln, NE	$51,060	$42,080	$55,490	$55,750
339	Birmingham, AL	$50,980	$39,560	$56,620	$55,630
340	Arecibo, PR	$50,960	$32,780	$59,920	N/A
341	Morgantown, WV	$50,940	$38,560	$57,030	$54,580
342	Huntsville, AL	$50,900	$39,270	$56,620	$54,690
343	St. Joseph, MO-KS	$50,840	$42,270	$55,080	$58,850
344	Texarkana, TX-AR	$50,770	$35,940	$58,090	$60,430
345	Lafayette, IN	$50,710	$41,230	$55,370	$54,280
346	Athens, GA	$50,400	$35,900	$57,530	$53,990
347	Terre Haute, IN	$50,230	$40,000	$55,270	$57,210
348	Joplin, MO-KS	$50,110	$39,540	$55,310	$58,460
349	Aguadilla, PR	$50,090	$27,930	$60,990	N/A
350	Yuma, AZ	$50,020	$38,130	$55,870	$53,960
351	Dalton, GA	$49,900	$33,380	$58,050	$55,540
352	Scranton, PA	$49,840	$39,080	$55,120	$53,270
353	Gulfport, MS	$49,670	$36,750	$56,040	$55,190
354	Weirton, WV-OH	$49,670	$40,710	$54,080	$55,790
355	Youngstown, OH	$49,670	$37,920	$55,450	$56,830
356	Ponce, PR	$49,650	$29,100	$59,780	N/A
357	Tucson, AZ	$49,480	$40,100	$54,100	$51,070
358	Lubbock, TX	$49,400	$35,940	$56,010	$54,100
359	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	$49,250	$39,370	$54,140	$57,220
360	Dothan, AL	$49,050	$38,040	$54,450	$58,510
361	Macon, GA	$48,960	$34,760	$55,950	$55,300
362	Mansfield, OH	$48,900	$39,850	$53,350	$55,020
363	State College, PA	$48,840	$37,250	$54,540	$50,470
364	Rome, GA	$48,800	$35,610	$55,290	$54,130
365	Jackson, MS	$48,420	$36,940	$54,080	$54,380
366	Tuscaloosa, AL	$48,320	$36,690	$54,060	$55,080
367	Daphne, AL	$48,010	$38,230	$52,830	$50,700
368	Hattiesburg, MS	$47,990	$38,060	$52,870	$54,760
369	Mayaguez, PR	$47,840	$30,160	$56,530	N/A
370	Erie, PA	$47,650	$35,760	$53,520	$52,390
371	Little Rock, AR	$47,440	$36,630	$52,770	$53,090
372	Guayama, PR	$47,090	$32,610	$54,200	N/A
373	Tulsa, OK	$47,070	$38,540	$51,270	$52,760
374	Oklahoma City, OK	$47,030	$37,880	$51,540	$52,020
375	Auburn, AL	$46,900	$35,360	$52,580	$53,340
376	Jonesboro, AR	$46,900	$36,360	$52,100	$54,610
377	Columbia, MO	$46,200	$34,840	$51,770	$51,660
378	Shreveport, LA	$45,990	$35,240	$51,290	$54,260
379	Johnstown, PA	$45,360	$34,800	$50,560	$52,790
380	Brownsville, TX	$45,120	$33,340	$50,940	$52,480
381	Monroe, LA	$45,050	$33,610	$50,690	$53,890
382	Valdosta, GA	$45,030	$32,280	$51,290	$51,010
383	Lawton, OK	$44,990	$38,670	$48,130	$52,350
384	Altoona, PA	$44,930	$36,730	$48,960	$50,200
385	Fort Smith, AR-OK	$44,760	$36,190	$48,980	$52,110
386	San Juan, PR	$44,100	$32,470	$49,820	N/A
387	Enid, OK	$44,010	$33,650	$49,130	$52,230
388	Hot Springs, AR	$43,600	$33,700	$48,460	$50,860
389	Lafayette, LA	$40,120	$29,660	$45,280	$46,000
390	Alexandria, LA	$38,480	$29,950	$42,680	$44,910

More on school social workers

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Method

About these numbers

Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.

Questions

School Social Worker salary by city: FAQ

Which city pays school social workers the most?

San Jose, CA, where the average (mean) wage is $89,810 a year, followed by Norwich, CT ($81,000), Hartford, CT ($80,350), San Francisco, CA ($80,230). The national mean is $64,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Where do school social workers earn the most after cost of living?

Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in Springfield, IL ($83,190 at national prices, $77,150 nominal), Salisbury, MD ($83,050 at national prices, $79,410 nominal), San Jose, CA ($81,330 at national prices, $89,810 nominal).

How much do school social workers make in the biggest cities?

New York, NY-NJ: $76,380; Los Angeles, CA: $73,990; Chicago, IL-IN: $72,030; Dallas, TX: $57,870; Houston, TX: $57,600 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).

Where do school social workers earn the least?

Of the 390 metro areas with their own estimate, Alexandria, LA has the lowest mean wage, $38,480. At local prices that is worth $44,910.