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Protective services social worker salary
Average protective services social worker salary
$51,488
Protective Services Social Worker Salary Overview
The average salary for a Protective Services Social Worker is approximately $51,488 per year, translating to about $25 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and specific job roles within the field.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level Protective Services Social Workers typically earn less, with salaries starting around $40,000. As professionals gain experience, salaries can rise to over $60,000 for specialized roles or supervisory positions.
Top Paying States and Cities
Higher salaries are often found in states such as California, New York, and Texas, where the demand for social services is substantial. Major cities like Los Angeles and New York City offer competitive pay, reflecting the cost of living and the complexity of cases handled.
Career Opportunities
In addition to competitive salaries, Protective Services Social Workers can explore various career paths, including roles in child protection, mental health services, and community outreach programs, all contributing to impactful social change.
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Where can a Protective Services Social Worker earn more?
Protective services social worker salaries by experience level
Average protective services social worker salary by state
The average protective services social worker salary in New Jersey, Maryland, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average protective services social worker salary states are Arkansas, Ohio, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for protective services social workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $63,537 | $30.55 |
| 2 | Idaho | $57,798 | $27.79 |
| 3 | Louisiana | $56,617 | $27.22 |
| 4 | Washington | $59,722 | $28.71 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| 6 | Maryland | $66,101 | $31.78 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $63,018 | $30.30 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $65,595 | $31.54 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $55,256 | $26.57 |
| 10 | Oregon | $55,762 | $26.81 |
| 11 | Virginia | $59,667 | $28.69 |
| 12 | Alaska | $58,990 | $28.36 |
| 13 | South Dakota | $52,361 | $25.17 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $54,093 | $26.01 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $57,045 | $27.43 |
| 16 | Nevada | $57,627 | $27.71 |
| 17 | Kansas | $57,258 | $27.53 |
| 18 | California | $57,291 | $27.54 |
| 19 | Iowa | $53,747 | $25.84 |
| 20 | Colorado | $54,514 | $26.21 |
| 21 | Utah | $52,651 | $25.31 |
| 22 | Tennessee | $49,914 | $24.00 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $59,191 | $28.46 |
| 24 | Illinois | $55,367 | $26.62 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $51,367 | $24.70 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $51,177 | $24.60 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $48,568 | $23.35 |
| 28 | New York | $54,854 | $26.37 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $51,205 | $24.62 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $52,934 | $25.45 |
| 31 | Massachusetts | $52,797 | $25.38 |
| 32 | Montana | $51,163 | $24.60 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $50,769 | $24.41 |
| 34 | Maine | $47,972 | $23.06 |
| 35 | Michigan | $49,677 | $23.88 |
| 36 | Vermont | $49,301 | $23.70 |
| 37 | Texas | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| 38 | Missouri | $42,719 | $20.54 |
| 39 | Alabama | $43,828 | $21.07 |
| 40 | Delaware | $45,791 | $22.01 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | $46,653 | $22.43 |
| 42 | Florida | $39,791 | $19.13 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $39,763 | $19.12 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | $45,242 | $21.75 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $42,426 | $20.40 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $43,068 | $20.71 |
| 47 | Georgia | $38,101 | $18.32 |
| 48 | Arizona | $43,203 | $20.77 |
| 49 | Indiana | $43,547 | $20.94 |
| 50 | Ohio | $42,243 | $20.31 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $36,374 | $17.49 |
Highest paying cities for protective services social workers
The highest-paying cities for protective services social workers are New Brunswick, NJ, Seattle, WA, and Santa Rosa, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Brunswick, NJ | $78,831 | $37.90 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $59,889 | $28.79 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $59,303 | $28.51 |
| 4 | Westminster, CO | $54,642 | $26.27 |
| 5 | Stevens Point, WI | $53,163 | $25.56 |
| 6 | Waltham, MA | $52,786 | $25.38 |
| 7 | Raleigh, NC | $51,648 | $24.83 |
| 8 | Saint Cloud, MN | $50,826 | $24.44 |
Protective services social worker salary details
A protective services social worker's salary ranges from $41,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a protective services social worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $51,488 | $4,291 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
Highest paying protective services social worker jobs
The highest paying types of protective services social workers are clinical social worker, psychiatric social worker, and medical social worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Therapist | $50,774 | $4,231 | $24.41 | 106,982 |
| Case Worker | $41,459 | $3,455 | $19.93 | 107,329 |
| Family Worker | $36,992 | $3,083 | $17.78 | 101,552 |
| Youth Worker | $32,242 | $2,687 | $15.50 | 87,360 |
| Family Support Worker | $38,207 | $3,184 | $18.37 | 159,875 |
| Student Worker | $25,735 | $2,145 | $12.37 | 82,353 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for protective services social workers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Sarah Christa Butts MSW
Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers
Top companies hiring protective services social workers now:
Which companies pay protective services social workers the most?
Protective services social worker salaries at Washington State University and Stearns County MN are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average protective services social worker salary at companies like New Bridge Medical Center and State of Nevada Employees' Association Inc are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington State University | $55,355 | $26.61 |
| 2 | Stearns County MN | $52,908 | $25.44 |
| 3 | New Bridge Medical Center | $52,410 | $25.20 |
| 4 | State of Nevada Employees' Association Inc | $51,338 | $24.68 |
| 5 | New Hanover County | $51,273 | $24.65 |
| 6 | Adams County Government Center | $48,023 | $23.09 |
| 7 | Springwell | $46,957 | $22.58 |
| 8 | Wake County | $44,605 | $21.44 |
| 9 | New Brunswick Public Schools | $43,756 | $21.04 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Protective services social worker salary trends
The average protective services social worker salary has risen by $8,239 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average protective services social worker earned $43,249 annually, but today, they earn $51,488 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for protective services social workers over the last decade.
Compare protective services social worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average protective services social worker salary over time
Compare protective services social worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Protective services social worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,500 | $24.75 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $50,400 | $24.22 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $49,200 | $23.65 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $47,200 | $22.68 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $46,000 | $22.11 | +2.1% |
Recently added protective services social worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harnett County, North Carolina | Social Worker IV (I A&T)-Child Protective Services | Lillington, NC | 06/05/2025 | $60,935 |
| Pueblo County | Social Caseworker-Protective Services | Pueblo, CO | 05/24/2025 | $47,732 |
| Benton County | Social Worker Child Protection/Child Services/Intake | Ann, MN | 05/16/2025 | $64,050 |
| Fayette County State of Ohio | Social Services Worker II-Child Protective Services | Washington Court House, OH | 04/28/2025 | $43,556 |
| Fayette County State of Ohio | Social Services Worker II-Child Protective Services | Washington Court House, OH | 03/29/2025 | $43,556 |
| Mecklenburg County, Nc | Social Worker II-Adult Protective Services | Boone, NC | 03/26/2025 | $56,222 |
| County of Sonoma (Ca | Child Protective Services Social Worker | Santa Rosa, CA | 03/12/2025 | $98,616 |
| Pueblo County, Co | Social Caseworker-Protective Services | Pueblo, CO | 02/20/2025 | $46,800 |
| Burkenc | Child Protective Services Social Worker | Morganton, NC | 02/19/2025 | $65,741 |
| Fayette County State of Ohio | Social Services Worker II-Child Protective Services | Washington Court House, OH | 02/18/2025 | $43,556 |
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