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Child welfare specialist salary
Average child welfare specialist salary
$50,377
Understanding Child Welfare Specialist Salaries
The salary for Child Welfare Specialists averages around $50,377 annually, equating to approximately $24 per hour. This salary can fluctuate based on various factors, including years of experience, specific job responsibilities, and geographical location. For instance, specialists in urban areas often earn more due to higher living costs.
Experience Levels and Their Impact
Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while those with several years of experience can command significantly higher pay. Consider pursuing advanced certifications or specializations to enhance your earning potential.
Top-Paying States
States such as California, New York, and Texas report the highest salaries for this profession. It’s advisable to research local job markets to evaluate salary expectations effectively.
Job Opportunities in Child Welfare
Child Welfare Specialists play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. By understanding salary trends and opportunities, you can better navigate your career in child welfare, leading to a fulfilling and impactful profession.
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Where can a Child Welfare Specialist earn more?
Child welfare specialist salaries by experience level
Child welfare specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average child welfare specialist salary by state
The average child welfare specialist salary in New Jersey, Alaska, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average child welfare specialist salary states are Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for child welfare specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $67,973 | $32.68 |
| 2 | Maryland | $66,540 | $31.99 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $79,772 | $38.35 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $67,125 | $32.27 |
| 5 | Alaska | $68,252 | $32.81 |
| 6 | New York | $63,544 | $30.55 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $62,928 | $30.25 |
| 8 | Idaho | $60,177 | $28.93 |
| 9 | Montana | $53,428 | $25.69 |
| 10 | Oregon | $63,395 | $30.48 |
| 11 | Nevada | $58,431 | $28.09 |
| 12 | Illinois | $55,465 | $26.67 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $55,720 | $26.79 |
| 14 | Iowa | $51,025 | $24.53 |
| 15 | Colorado | $56,229 | $27.03 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $65,543 | $31.51 |
| 17 | California | $55,658 | $26.76 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $54,652 | $26.27 |
| 19 | Virginia | $56,729 | $27.27 |
| 20 | Michigan | $48,708 | $23.42 |
| 21 | Texas | $54,275 | $26.09 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $51,578 | $24.80 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $48,798 | $23.46 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $52,472 | $25.23 |
| 25 | Maine | $46,597 | $22.40 |
| 26 | Kansas | $51,172 | $24.60 |
| 27 | Connecticut | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| 28 | Massachusetts | $47,631 | $22.90 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $50,345 | $24.20 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $47,178 | $22.68 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $44,969 | $21.62 |
| 32 | Ohio | $49,737 | $23.91 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $48,255 | $23.20 |
| 34 | Arizona | $42,891 | $20.62 |
| 35 | Vermont | $45,726 | $21.98 |
| 36 | Delaware | $46,594 | $22.40 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | $44,749 | $21.51 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $46,535 | $22.37 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $40,301 | $19.38 |
| 40 | Utah | $45,914 | $22.07 |
| 41 | Georgia | $43,597 | $20.96 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $44,636 | $21.46 |
| 43 | Indiana | $41,197 | $19.81 |
| 44 | Florida | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $37,636 | $18.09 |
| 46 | Missouri | $41,833 | $20.11 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $37,774 | $18.16 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $35,919 | $17.27 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $39,391 | $18.94 |
| 50 | Alabama | $39,337 | $18.91 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $32,544 | $15.65 |
Highest paying cities for child welfare specialists
The highest-paying cities for child welfare specialists are Cherry Hill, NJ, Seattle, WA, and Albany, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherry Hill, NJ | $80,259 | $38.59 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $68,673 | $33.02 |
| 3 | Albany, NY | $60,566 | $29.12 |
| 4 | Greeley, CO | $56,907 | $27.36 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $55,684 | $26.77 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $54,624 | $26.26 |
| 7 | Madison, WI | $51,411 | $24.72 |
| 8 | Shreveport, LA | $37,813 | $18.18 |
| 9 | Bartlesville, OK | $36,433 | $17.52 |
| 10 | Miami, FL | $34,616 | $16.64 |
Child welfare specialist salary details
A child welfare specialist's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $71,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a child welfare specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| Average | $50,377 | $4,198 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying child welfare specialist jobs
The highest paying types of child welfare specialists are specialist, licensed social worker, and protective service specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advocate | $39,497 | $3,291 | $18.99 | 74,970 |
| Service Counselor | $35,402 | $2,950 | $17.02 | 44,284 |
| Counselor | $36,225 | $3,019 | $17.42 | 77,536 |
| Family Support Worker | $38,207 | $3,184 | $18.37 | 159,875 |
| Social Worker | $50,102 | $4,175 | $24.09 | 77,340 |
| Case Planner | $43,496 | $3,625 | $20.91 | 36,065 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for child welfare specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Jennifer Kukis
Professor/Coordinate, Lorain County Community College
https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/social-worker/salary/ohio/
In Ohio, Starting level social worker earnings begin at:
$15.23
per hour
$31,670
per year with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work, and around $13.00 for a Social Work Assistant with a two year degree in Human Services.
Top companies hiring child welfare specialists now:
Which companies pay child welfare specialists the most?
Child welfare specialist salaries at University of California and University of Illinois Springfield are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average child welfare specialist salary at companies like Weld County Government and Washington State University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California | $65,047 | $31.27 |
| 2 | University of Illinois Springfield | $61,858 | $29.74 |
| 3 | Weld County Government | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| 4 | Washington State University | $56,976 | $27.39 |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin System | $54,815 | $26.35 |
| 6 | Metro Nashville | $54,446 | $26.18 |
| 7 | CORA Services | $52,458 | $25.22 |
| 8 | State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission | $48,425 | $23.28 |
| 9 | FamilyCore | $44,279 | $21.29 |
| 10 | Colorado State Express | $44,177 | $21.24 |
| 11 | Westcare Health Corporation | $44,177 | $21.24 |
| 12 | Casa Central | $43,251 | $20.79 |
| 13 | Colorado Department of Transportation | $41,694 | $20.05 |
| 14 | State Of Florida | $41,500 | $19.95 |
| 15 | Prince George’s County Trap & Skeet Center | $40,461 | $19.45 |
| 16 | Child Saving Institute | $38,997 | $18.75 |
| 17 | Lawrence Hall | $38,189 | $18.36 |
| 18 | Children's Home Society of Florida | $37,013 | $17.79 |
| 19 | Oklahoma Department of Commerce | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 20 | Oaks Integrated Care | $35,638 | $17.13 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Child Welfare Specialist salary by industry
The average child welfare specialist salary varies across industries:
- The average child welfare specialist salary in the technology industry is $48,390, the highest of any industry.
- The average child welfare specialist salary in the finance industry is $47,572.
- Child welfare specialists in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $38,865, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for child welfare specialists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| 2 | Government | $47,572 | $22.87 |
| 3 | Health Care | $45,989 | $22.11 |
| 4 | Education | $44,993 | $21.63 |
| 5 | Professional | $43,307 | $20.82 |
| 6 | Non Profits | $38,865 | $18.69 |
High paying child welfare specialist jobs
Child welfare specialist salary trends
The average child welfare specialist salary has risen by $8,061 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average child welfare specialist earned $42,316 annually, but today, they earn $50,377 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for child welfare specialists over the last decade.
Compare child welfare specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average child welfare specialist salary over time
Compare child welfare specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Child welfare specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,400 | $24.22 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $49,300 | $23.70 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $48,100 | $23.14 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $46,200 | $22.19 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $45,000 | $21.63 | +2.1% |
Recently added child welfare specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Georgia | Dhs/Dfcs Child Welfare Field Program Specialist (C3 Coordinator) | Nunez, GA | 06/27/2025 | $70,000 |
| Oklahoma Human Services | Child Welfare Specialist V-Hotline | Oklahoma City, OK | 06/26/2025 | $58,848 |
| Crisis Nursery | Children's Specialist-3Rd Shift (Thursday-Monday) | Urbana, IL | 06/20/2025 | $34,436 |
| Little City Foundation | Child Welfare Specialist | Joliet, IL | 06/15/2025 | $45,000 |
| Bethany for Children & Fa | Intact Family Services-Child Welfare Specialist | Moline, IL | 06/10/2025 | $46,000 |
| Casa Central | Child Welfare Specialist | Chicago, IL | 06/06/2025 | $50,400 |
| LSSI | Child Welfare Specialist | Rockford, IL | 06/03/2025 | $60,000 |
| Stark County District Library | Children's Specialist | Canton, OH | 05/26/2025 | $35,604 |
| State of North Carolina | Child Welfare Regional Prevention Specialist-Region 2 | Boone, NC | 05/25/2025 | $53,164 |
| Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois | Child Welfare Specialist | Springfield, MO | 05/23/2025 | $50,336 |
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