Post job

Service worker salary

Quoted expert
Sarah Christa Butts MSW

Average service worker salary

$14.44

$30,045 yearly

Entry-level service worker salary
$22,000 yearly salary
Updated January 8, 2025

Understanding the Service Worker Salary Landscape

The average salary for a Service Worker is around $30,045 annually, translating to about $14.44 per hour. Factors influencing this figure include years of experience, location, and the specific industry of employment. For instance, service workers in metropolitan areas often earn more due to the higher cost of living. Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while experienced workers can command higher pay rates.

Salary by Experience Level

Service workers' salaries increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at approximately $25,000, while those with several years in the field can earn upwards of $35,000 or more, especially in specialized roles. Additionally, workers with certifications or specialized training often see significant salary increases.

Highest Paying States

Geographic location also plays a crucial role in salary potential. States like California, New York, and Washington typically offer higher wages for service workers due to elevated living costs and demand for workforce services.

For those interested in pursuing a career as a service worker, understanding these factors can lead to informed career choices and better salary negotiations.

On this page
Service worker salary by: 

Let Zippi find your next service worker job

Floating question marks illustration

Let Zippi find your next service worker job

Floating question marks illustration

Where can a Service Worker earn more?

Compare salary by location
Vs
54k
34k
14k
-6k
Columbus, OH$43,138
Oklahoma City, OK$24,024
Compare salary by company
Vs
73k
53k
33k
13k
Massachusetts General Hospital$54,155
State Of Illinois - Illinois Student Assistance Commission$43,372

Service worker salaries by experience level

Experience levelAvg. salaryHourly rate
Entry-level service worker$20,800$10.02
Mid-level service worker$29,600$14.23
Senior-level service worker$34,000$16.33

Service worker salary estimates from across the web

Based on the latest salary information compiled by Zippia, Salary.com, Glassdoor and Ziprecruiter, the average salary for a service worker typically falls between $28,715 and $44,327.
zippia
$30,045yearly
glassdoor[1]
$40,792yearly
Salary.com[2]
$28,715yearly
ZipRecruiter[3]
$44,327yearly

Average service worker salary by state

The average service worker salary in Alaska, Hawaii, and Oregon are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average service worker salary states are Tennessee, Alabama, and West Virginia.

  • State view
  • County view
Average salary:

Highest paying states for service workers

RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
1Alaska$45,774$22.01
2Oregon$43,088$20.72
3Washington$42,698$20.53
4California$38,125$18.33
5Hawaii$45,079$21.67
6Montana$35,503$17.07
7Colorado$32,867$15.80
8Nevada$38,413$18.47
9New Mexico$31,025$14.92
10North Dakota$41,864$20.13
11Idaho$30,413$14.62
12Arizona$32,988$15.86
13Massachusetts$29,816$14.33
14Wyoming$34,658$16.66
15Wisconsin$34,259$16.47
16Minnesota$33,244$15.98
17Nebraska$28,202$13.56
18Connecticut$30,453$14.64
19Utah$29,248$14.06
20Maine$27,471$13.21
21Illinois$31,696$15.24
22Iowa$31,661$15.22
23South Dakota$26,203$12.60
24New Hampshire$27,349$13.15
25New York$29,176$14.03
26Rhode Island$29,074$13.98
27Texas$27,479$13.21
28Missouri$26,909$12.94
29Arkansas$27,756$13.34
30Pennsylvania$27,361$13.15
31District of Columbia$32,160$15.46
32Florida$25,947$12.47
33New Jersey$28,134$13.53
34South Carolina$24,531$11.79
35Ohio$26,268$12.63
36Tennessee$23,236$11.17
37Maryland$26,475$12.73
38Michigan$23,996$11.54
39Oklahoma$23,949$11.51
40Delaware$26,028$12.51
41Kentucky$24,628$11.84
42Vermont$26,030$12.51
43North Carolina$23,621$11.36
44Indiana$24,111$11.59
45Virginia$23,784$11.43
46Kansas$24,530$11.79
47Louisiana$21,008$10.10
48Georgia$22,019$10.59
49Alabama$23,150$11.13
50West Virginia$22,779$10.95
51Mississippi$20,286$9.75

Highest paying cities for service workers

The highest-paying cities for service workers are Beaverton, OR, Stockton, CA, and Milwaukee, WI.

RankCityAvg. salaryHourly rate
1Beaverton, OR$43,138$20.74
2Stockton, CA$39,446$18.96
3Milwaukee, WI$34,077$16.38
4Duluth, MN$33,443$16.08
5Glendale, AZ$33,089$15.91
6Brighton, CO$32,994$15.86
7Washington, DC$32,182$15.47
8Chicago, IL$31,795$15.29
9Farmington, CT$30,576$14.70
10Framingham, MA$29,873$14.36
11El Paso, TX$29,691$14.27
12New York, NY$29,035$13.96
13Omaha, NE$28,205$13.56
14Pittsburgh, PA$27,388$13.17
15Baltimore, MD$26,568$12.77
16Tampa, FL$26,054$12.53
17Dayton, OH$25,726$12.37
18Richmond, KY$24,509$11.78
19Flint, MI$24,281$11.67
20Oklahoma City, OK$24,024$11.55

Service worker salary details

A service worker's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.

Average service worker salary graph
Average service worker salary graph, trends, and summary

What is a service worker's salary?

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly salaryHourly rate
90th Percentile$40,000$3,333$19
75th Percentile$35,000$2,917$17
Average$30,045$2,504$14
25th Percentile$25,000$2,083$12
10th Percentile$22,000$1,833$11

Highest paying service worker jobs

The highest paying types of service workers are social worker, human service specialist, and foster care worker.

Job titleAnnual salaryMonthly salaryHourly rateJob openings
Community Service Coordinator$40,227$3,352$19.3456,595
Youth Worker$32,242$2,687$15.5087,360
Social Service Coordinator$40,946$3,412$19.69109,487
Family Worker$36,992$3,083$17.78101,552
Outreach Worker$37,639$3,137$18.1065,822
Foster Care Worker$46,037$3,836$22.13151,625

How would you rate the starting salaries for 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 service workers the most?

Service worker salaries at Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average service worker salary at companies like Michigan State University and King County are highly competitive.

Wage gap by gender, race and education

$33,000$32,600$32,200$31,800$31,400$31,000
MaleFemale

Service Worker salary by industry

The average service worker salary varies across industries:

  • The average service worker salary in the government industry is $36,743, the highest of any industry.
  • The average service worker salary in the finance industry is $31,992.
  • Service workers in the retail industry earn an average salary of $26,009, the lowest of any industry.

Highest paying industries for service workers

RankIndustryAverage salaryHourly rate
1Government$36,743$17.66
2Education$31,992$15.38
3Health Care$30,671$14.75
4Hospitality$26,460$12.72
5Retail$26,009$12.50

High paying service worker jobs

Service worker salary trends

The average service worker salary has risen by $6,032 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average service worker earned $24,013 annually, but today, they earn $30,045 a year. That works out to a 13% change in pay for service workers over the last decade.

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

Average service worker salary over time

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

Service worker salary by year

YearAvg. salaryHourly rate% Change
2025$30,000$14.44+2.5%
2024$29,300$14.08+3.7%
2023$28,200$13.56+1.9%
2022$27,700$13.30+4.0%
2021$26,600$12.78+3.1%

Recently added service worker salaries

CompanyJobLocationDate addedSalary
The University of ChicagoService WorkerChicago, IL06/30/2025$44,557
Valley Behavioral HealthSocial Service Worker | SRSNorth Valley, NM06/30/2025$48,001
AramarkCustodial Services Worker-Washington, DC Convention Center-Facility ServicesWashington, DC06/28/2025$40,050
Aramark CorpCatering Services Worker-Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA06/28/2025$34,436
Mobile County (AlAutomotive Service Worker II (Mobile Area Water and Sewer System)Mobile, AL06/28/2025$37,570
Marshall UniversityCampus Service Worker-MSCHuntington, WV06/28/2025$23,000
University of ArizonaFacilities Management and Services Worker IITucson, AZ06/28/2025$37,879
SodexoCatering Service WorkerTuskegee, AL06/27/2025$15,131
City of Santa Fe, NmEquipment Service WorkerFlorence, SC06/27/2025$37,169
City of Marietta (GaCity Service Worker, Parks & GroundsMarietta, GA06/27/2025$35,479

Service worker salary FAQs

Search for service worker jobs

Browse community and social services jobs