Healthcare Social Workers
SOC 21-1022 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers is $62,940, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $67,430, and an estimated 185,020 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +9.2% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -7.2% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 7.7% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Healthcare Social Workers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $62,940 | $62,940 | 185,020 |
| 2022 | $60,280 | $62,761 | 182,420 |
| 2021 | $60,840 | $68,414 | 173,860 |
| 2020 | $57,630 | $67,849 | 176,110 |
Nominal change
+9.2%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-7.2%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+7.7%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
193,200
Projected 2034
208,100
Annual Openings
18,400
Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Healthcare Social Workers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $62,940. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $89,800 | +42.7% | 19,660 |
| District of Columbia | $83,460 | +32.6% | 460 |
| Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $81,440 | +29.4% | 70 |
| Oregon | $81,380 | +29.3% | 2,180 |
| Connecticut | $79,210 | +25.9% | 2,170 |
| West Central-Southwest New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $78,200 | +24.2% | 140 |
| New Jersey | $77,680 | +23.4% | 3,730 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $77,610 | +23.3% | 110 |
| Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $77,450 | +23.1% | 120 |
| Rhode Island | $76,750 | +21.9% | 530 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$41,840
25th Pct
$50,190
Median
$62,940
75th Pct
$78,710
90th Pct
$97,790
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset Park Health Council, Inc. | NY | 2 | $78,488 |
| ST. JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | TN | 2 | $81,204 |
| Well and Fit Adult Day Health Care, Inc. | CA | 1 | $56,326 |
| Mikkon Corp | CA | 1 | $56,326 |
| Lucky Star Adult Day Health Care Center Inc. | CA | 1 | $58,240 |
| University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center | OH | 1 | $59,280 |
| Swedish Health Services | WA | 1 | $63,357 |
| University Settlement Society of New York | NY | 1 | $74,277 |
| Oregon Health & Science University | OR | 1 | $75,379 |
| Community Care ADHC Inc. | CA | 1 | $62,400 |
| TRUCARE PHARMACY CORPORATION | CA | 1 | $56,160 |
| Kin On Health Care Center | WA | 1 | $62,400 |
| Maimonides Medical Center | NY | 1 | $80,226 |
| Stanford Health Care | CA | 1 | $132,870 |
| Oakwood Healthcare, Inc. | MI | 1 | $63,586 |
| A Plus Adult Health Care | CA | 1 | $75,920 |
| Angeles Del Sol ADHC LLC | CA | 1 | $70,720 |
| North Bend Medical Center, Inc | OR | 1 | $55,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Community & Social Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.