You can change lives throughout your community through a social work career, from schools and hospitals to health clinics, the military and corporations. Social work offers many career pathways that match a wide range of interests, empowering you to make a difference while also earning a sustainable living.

Now is an ideal time to expand your career opportunities through advanced social work education. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects social worker employment to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, about twice as fast as average.

Keep reading to discover some of the highest-paying social work jobs and learn how factors like earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can help boost your salary prospects.

What Factors Influence Social Work Salary?

A career in social work offers strong earning potential. In 2024, the median annual salary for social workers was $61,330, and the top 10% of social workers earned over $99,500.

The highest-paying social work jobs often depend on factors such as:

• Geographic Location: Social workers practicing in large cities, medium cities and their suburbs generally earn more than those in small towns or rural areas.

• Education: Earning an MSW can significantly boost pay by preparing social workers for advanced generalist and clinical roles. A 2019 survey by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) found that the median income for social work jobs requiring an MSW was $5,000 higher than those requiring a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW).

• Experience: More years of experience can translate into a higher salary. As social workers gain expertise, they can advance into senior roles that offer higher compensation.

• Specializations and Licensure: Obtaining education and licensure in certain social worker specialties, such as clinical social work, can also substantially increase salary.

• Type of Employer: Salaries vary by employer, with higher median salaries for social workers in educational services ($67,620) and local government ($65,920) compared to those in state government, family services and community relief organizations.

Social workers can expand their earnings and impact over time by considering these factors.

Eight of the Highest-Paying Social Work Jobs

The following social work jobs combine meaningful work with strong earning potential, highlighting the versatility and rewards of a social work career.

1. Social Work Administrators

Median Salary: $79,628 (Salary Expert)

Social work administrators lead and direct social service programs and community outreach organizations to address community needs. This involves budgeting, managing others and interdisciplinary collaboration. Most social work administrators practice in healthcare, social assistance and government settings.

Job titles in social work administration include social services manager, community services director and child welfare services director. Many social work administration jobs require an MSW and social work licensure, especially when supervising licensed social work staff or direct service programs.

2. Clinical Social Worker

Average Salary: $73,741 (NASW)

Clinical social workers help individuals, families and groups improve their well-being and quality of life, working in settings such as hospitals, clinics, schools and private practice. They assess, diagnose, treat and prevent mental illness, emotional and other behavioral disturbances, often through therapy and counseling.

This role is one of the most common jobs for MSW graduates, as becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) requires an MSW. The licensure process varies by state but usually also includes completing supervised clinical experience and passing an exam.

3. Social Work Professor

Median Salary: $75,020 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Social work educators shape the future of the profession by teaching, mentoring and inspiring the next generation of social workers. They develop course materials, lead lectures and discussions, supervise students’ field and practicum work, and may also conduct research.

Common job titles in colleges and universities include adjunct professor, assistant professor, clinical professor and social work instructor. A career as a social work professor is an excellent job for MSW graduates who want to combine their social work experience with teaching, though some roles also require a doctorate.

4. Healthcare Social Worker

Median Salary: $68,090 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Healthcare social workers address the full spectrum of biological, psychological and social factors that affect the well-being of individuals and families.

They help people cope with chronic, acute and terminal illnesses, advise caregivers, provide counseling and make referrals for other services. Healthcare social workers also address barriers to healthcare access, especially for vulnerable populations.

Most healthcare social workers hold an MSW and work in ambulatory healthcare services, individual and family services, and outpatient care centers.

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5. Behavioral Health Program Manager

Median Salary: $117,960 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Behavioral health program managers oversee mental health or substance use disorder programs in outpatient centers, nursing and residential care facilities, doctor offices and other healthcare settings. They manage budgeting, staffing, compliance and other administrative activities to ensure clients receive safe, effective and high-quality behavioral healthcare.

A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum educational requirement. However, some employers may require an MSW and social work licensure.

6. Military Social Worker

Median Salary: $135,279 (Department of Defense)

Military social workers are officers in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines who provide mental health services to military members and their families. They safeguard mental health and well-being by assessing, diagnosing and treating psychological disorders, provide consultation to military officials and may conduct social work research and training.

A military social work career requires an MSW and a social work license. You will also need to fulfill officer commissioning standards, which vary by military branch.

7. Forensic Social Worker

Median Salary: $78,890 (ZIPRecruiter)

Forensic social work applies social work principles within the legal system to address the needs and rights of victims, offenders and their families.

Forensic social workers provide counseling, case management and advocacy to promote justice, healing and safety in settings involved in the judicial system, like courts, prisons and community agencies.

The required credentials include an MSW and, in some states, licensure as a clinical social worker.

8. Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Median Salary: $79,590 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) managers help organizations integrate social and environmental responsibility into their operations and stakeholder relationships, addressing areas such as equity, human rights and fair labor practices.

Social workers bring distinct expertise to this job, including deep insight into social issues and the skills to design, implement and measure CSR initiatives that genuinely meet community needs.

While there’s no set degree or certification required, many CSR managers have at least a bachelor’s degree. They work in companies of all kinds, including technology, finance, retail and manufacturing.

Prepare To Promote Human and Community Well-being With Cleveland State University’s Online MSW Program

Whether you want to provide clinical services, lead programs or shape the future of the profession, there are many careers for MSW graduates that combine purpose with competitive compensation.

When you earn your MSW, you will gain the advanced social work knowledge, skills and experience to take on specialized, higher-paying roles that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives — including your own.

Cleveland State University (CSU) offers an online MSW program that will further your journey toward becoming a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Whether you have a Bachelor of Social Work degree or a bachelor’s degree in another field, CSU has a pathway that will prepare you to address human needs and aspirations, issues of social and economic justice, discrimination and oppression using policy, practice and advocacy in clinical interventions.

As a student in CSU’s CSWE-accredited online MSW program, you will benefit from:

• Part-time and full-time options — learn at your own pace
• Competitive tuition, both in-state and out-of-state
• Fully online coursework
• Field practicum hours in your community, with the option to complete hours at your workplace
• No campus residencies required
• Published faculty at the cutting edge of social issues

You will also receive support to find field placement sites that align with your career goals and help from Student Experience Advisors from application through graduation.

Are you ready for a more meaningful and rewarding career in social work?