The median annual wage of social workers was $42,480 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,710 and the top 10 percent earned more than $70,390.
The median annual wages of social workers in May 2010 were the following:
In May 2010, the median annual wages of child, family and school social workers in the industries employing the most of these workers were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools | $54,260 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 47,130 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 39,750 |
| Individual and family services | 35,120 |
In May 2010, the median annual wages of healthcare social workers in the industries employing the most of these workers were as follows:
| Hospitals | $53,400 |
| Home health care services | 48,530 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 44,810 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 41,860 |
| Individual and family services | 39,310 |
In May 2010, the median annual wages of mental health and substance abuse social workers in the industries employing the most of these workers were as follows:
| Hospitals | $48,010 |
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals | 47,710 |
| Local government | 45,210 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 36,780 |
| Individual and family services | 36,740 |
Social workers generally work full time. They may sometimes work evenings and weekends to see clients or attend meetings.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition