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Children's service worker salary

Quoted expert
Sarah Christa Butts MSW

Average children's service worker salary

$35,625

$17.13 hourly rate

Entry-level children's service worker salary
$25,000 yearly salary
Updated December 15, 2025

Average Children's Service Worker Salary

The average salary for a Children's Service Worker stands at $35,625 annually. This can vary based on factors such as location, experience, and specific employment settings. For instance, those in urban areas or specialized roles may earn more due to a higher cost of living and demand for services.

Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level positions typically start lower, around $28,000, while seasoned professionals can earn upwards of $45,000. This range highlights the potential for growth as individuals gain experience and expertise.

Highest Paying States and Cities

States such as California, New York, and Texas tend to offer higher salaries for Children's Service Workers. Cities like San Francisco and New York City are among the highest paying, reflecting the demand for qualified professionals in these regions.

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Where can a Children's Service Worker earn more?

Compare salary by location
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Columbus, OH$51,986
Bradenton, FL$29,854
Compare salary by company
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36k
16k
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State of West Virginia$53,244
Fraser Ltd$26,499

Children's service worker salaries by experience level

Average children's service worker salary by state

The average children's service worker salary in New Jersey, Minnesota, and North Dakota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average children's service worker salary states are Alabama, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

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Average salary:

Highest paying states for children's service workers

RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
1Connecticut$47,103$22.65
2Alaska$45,926$22.08
3Washington$44,802$21.54
4West Virginia$39,610$19.04
5Idaho$43,151$20.75
6New Jersey$58,088$27.93
7North Carolina$40,249$19.35
8New Hampshire$40,313$19.38
9Minnesota$51,862$24.93
10South Dakota$39,263$18.88
11Oregon$42,218$20.30
12Maryland$46,884$22.54
13Nevada$44,126$21.21
14North Dakota$48,675$23.40
15Texas$40,604$19.52
16Hawaii$47,332$22.76
17District of Columbia$46,104$22.17
18New York$42,435$20.40
19Virginia$39,920$19.19
20Wyoming$37,879$18.21
21New Mexico$37,037$17.81
22Montana$39,475$18.98
23Ohio$38,342$18.43
24Wisconsin$39,281$18.89
25Nebraska$34,826$16.74
26Kansas$39,282$18.89
27Illinois$40,785$19.61
28Iowa$39,150$18.82
29Massachusetts$38,893$18.70
30California$37,350$17.96
31Tennessee$33,040$15.88
32Maine$36,238$17.42
33Utah$34,623$16.65
34Missouri$31,943$15.36
35South Carolina$33,460$16.09
36Colorado$34,955$16.81
37Michigan$33,926$16.31
38Pennsylvania$33,858$16.28
39Florida$29,850$14.35
40Delaware$32,875$15.81
41Louisiana$27,704$13.32
42Vermont$35,344$16.99
43Rhode Island$33,496$16.10
44Alabama$28,757$13.83
45Indiana$30,883$14.85
46Oklahoma$26,414$12.70
47Georgia$24,732$11.89
48Kentucky$29,279$14.08
49Arkansas$28,013$13.47
50Arizona$29,618$14.24
51Mississippi$23,915$11.50

Highest paying cities for children's service workers

The highest-paying cities for children's service workers are Coon Rapids, MN, West Babylon, NY, and Fort Worth, TX.

RankCityAvg. salaryHourly rate
1Coon Rapids, MN$51,986$24.99
2West Babylon, NY$42,600$20.48
3Fort Worth, TX$40,917$19.67
4Napa, CA$39,263$18.88
5Worcester, MA$39,123$18.81
6Cincinnati, OH$36,926$17.75
7Salt Lake City, UT$34,697$16.68
8Bradenton, FL$29,854$14.35

Children's service worker salary details

A children's service worker's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $49,000 at the 90th percentile.

Average children's service worker salary graph
Average children's service worker salary graph, trends, and summary

What is a children's service worker's salary?

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly salaryHourly rate
90th Percentile$49,000$4,083$24
75th Percentile$42,000$3,500$20
Average$35,625$2,969$17
25th Percentile$29,000$2,417$14
10th Percentile$25,000$2,083$12

Highest paying children's service worker jobs

The highest paying types of children's service workers are licensed social worker, school social worker, and child welfare specialist.

Job titleAnnual salaryMonthly salaryHourly rateJob openings
Youth Advocate$33,924$2,827$16.3178,437
Youth Development Professional$43,758$3,647$21.0491,372
Licensed Social Worker$57,005$4,750$27.4166,130
Youth Worker$32,242$2,687$15.5087,360
Child Protective Investigator$47,903$3,992$23.0315,938
Family Worker$36,992$3,083$17.78101,552

How would you rate the starting salaries for children's service workers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?

Sarah Christa Butts MSW

Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers

Social workers are required to have a high level of education. Usually, a Master's degree and starting salaries are often far too low. Still, social workers can increase their wages over time, and there are many opportunities and positions available. Increasing reimbursement and compensation for social workers and reducing student loan debt are advocacy priorities for NASW.

Which companies pay children's service workers the most?

Children's service worker salaries at State of West Virginia and Lower Eastside Service Center are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average children's service worker salary at companies like Napa County, California and State of Connecticut are highly competitive.

RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rate
1State of West Virginia$53,244$25.60
2Lower Eastside Service Center$49,634$23.86
3Napa County, California$49,131$23.62
4State of Connecticut$43,321$20.83
5The State of Oregon$37,986$18.26
6Reno, NV$35,713$17.17
7Sodexo Management, Inc.$35,684$17.16
8Del Mar Union School District$35,509$17.07
9Brea Olinda Unified School District$35,066$16.86
10SPUR$32,780$15.76
11Lompoc Unified School District$32,410$15.58
12Aramark$27,458$13.20
13Fraser Ltd$26,499$12.74

Wage gap by gender, race and education

$34,000$33,800$33,600$33,400$33,200$33,000
MaleFemale

Children's service worker salary trends

The average children's service worker salary has risen by $5,701 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average children's service worker earned $29,924 annually, but today, they earn $35,625 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for children's service workers over the last decade.

Compare children's service worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.

Average children's service worker salary over time

Compare children's service worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.

Children's service worker salary by year

YearAvg. salaryHourly rate% Change
2026$35,600$17.13+2.1%
2025$34,900$16.76+2.4%
2024$34,000$16.36+4.1%
2023$32,600$15.69+2.5%
2022$31,800$15.30+2.1%

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