Best cities for a social worker
The best cities for social workers are North Las Vegas, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and Anchorage, AK, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for social workers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for social workers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a social worker or considering a move, this list of the best cities for social workers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for social workers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a social worker. While the absolute best city for social workers is North Las Vegas, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for social workers in 2024.
If you're looking for a social worker job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for social workers in 2025
1. North Las Vegas, NV
Social worker jobs in North Las VegasTotal social worker jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $56,708 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 1.71 2. Las Vegas, NV
Social worker jobs in Las VegasTotal social worker jobs: 99 Average annual salary: $56,731 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 1.12 3. Anchorage, AK
Social worker jobs in AnchorageTotal social worker jobs: 17 Average annual salary: $65,119 Lowest 10 percent warn: $56,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $75,000 Location quotient: 0.89 4. Albuquerque, NM
Social worker jobs in AlbuquerqueTotal social worker jobs: 40 Average annual salary: $53,416 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $80,000 Location quotient: 0.80 5. Reno, NV
Social worker jobs in RenoTotal social worker jobs: 24 Average annual salary: $59,521 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $91,000 Location quotient: 0.85 6. Arlington, TX
Social worker jobs in ArlingtonTotal social worker jobs: 19 Average annual salary: $49,691 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $74,000 Location quotient: 1.05 7. Oakland, CA
Social worker jobs in OaklandTotal social worker jobs: 48 Average annual salary: $63,104 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 1.34 8. Cincinnati, OH
Social worker jobs in CincinnatiTotal social worker jobs: 64 Average annual salary: $47,101 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $67,000 Location quotient: 0.79 9. Henderson, NV
Social worker jobs in HendersonTotal social worker jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $56,574 Lowest 10 percent warn: $37,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $85,000 Location quotient: 0.67 10. Corpus Christi, TX
Social worker jobs in Corpus ChristiTotal social worker jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $48,828 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Location quotient: 1.40
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Best cities for social workers
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Las Vegas, NV
- Anchorage, AK
- Albuquerque, NM
- Reno, NV
- Arlington, TX
- Oakland, CA
- Cincinnati, OH
- Henderson, NV
- Corpus Christi, TX
Detailed list of the best cities for a social worker
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Las Vegas, NV | $56,708 | $37,000 | 238,702 | 7 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $56,731 | $37,000 | 632,912 | 99 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $65,119 | $56,000 | 298,192 | 17 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $53,416 | $35,000 | 559,277 | 40 |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $59,521 | $38,000 | 245,255 | 24 |
| 6 | Arlington, TX | $49,691 | $33,000 | 392,772 | 19 |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $63,104 | $41,000 | 420,005 | 48 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $47,101 | $33,000 | 298,800 | 64 |
| 9 | Henderson, NV | $56,574 | $37,000 | 292,969 | 7 |
| 10 | Corpus Christi, TX | $48,828 | $33,000 | 325,733 | 12 |
| 11 | El Paso, TX | $50,773 | $34,000 | 683,080 | 23 |
| 12 | Stockton, CA | $62,959 | $40,000 | 307,072 | 14 |
| 13 | Tucson, AZ | $53,261 | $35,000 | 530,706 | 33 |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $53,662 | $35,000 | 1,615,017 | 125 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $47,829 | $33,000 | 860,090 | 69 |
| 16 | Detroit, MI | $47,600 | $33,000 | 672,795 | 46 |
| 17 | Portland, OR | $67,065 | $44,000 | 639,863 | 63 |
| 18 | Fresno, CA | $61,725 | $40,000 | 522,053 | 20 |
| 19 | Toledo, OH | $48,584 | $34,000 | 278,508 | 9 |
| 20 | Cleveland, OH | $48,761 | $34,000 | 385,809 | 30 |
| 21 | Seattle, WA | $60,188 | $40,000 | 704,352 | 127 |
| 22 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,759 | $37,000 | 302,398 | 49 |
| 23 | Bakersfield, CA | $60,483 | $40,000 | 376,380 | 19 |
| 24 | Sacramento, CA | $63,360 | $41,000 | 495,234 | 41 |
| 25 | Lubbock, TX | $50,399 | $33,000 | 252,506 | 4 |
| 26 | New Orleans, LA | $48,458 | $32,000 | 391,495 | 39 |
| 27 | Chula Vista, CA | $59,040 | $39,000 | 267,172 | 8 |
| 28 | Aurora, CO | $49,521 | $33,000 | 361,710 | 75 |
| 29 | Santa Ana, CA | $59,455 | $39,000 | 334,217 | 21 |
| 30 | Glendale, AZ | $53,669 | $35,000 | 245,895 | 3 |
| 31 | Minneapolis, MN | $51,755 | $37,000 | 413,651 | 73 |
| 32 | Gilbert, AZ | $53,568 | $35,000 | 237,133 | 3 |
| 33 | San Antonio, TX | $49,488 | $33,000 | 1,492,510 | 47 |
| 34 | Philadelphia, PA | $47,951 | $33,000 | 1,567,872 | 61 |
| 35 | Long Beach, CA | $59,509 | $39,000 | 470,130 | 22 |
| 36 | Riverside, CA | $59,454 | $39,000 | 324,722 | 24 |
| 37 | Mesa, AZ | $53,580 | $35,000 | 484,587 | 5 |
| 38 | Pittsburgh, PA | $47,198 | $33,000 | 303,625 | 39 |
| 39 | Fort Worth, TX | $49,724 | $33,000 | 854,113 | 16 |
| 40 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,634 | $39,000 | 3,976,322 | 201 |
| 41 | San Jose, CA | $62,660 | $40,000 | 1,025,350 | 77 |
| 42 | Hempstead, NY | $51,379 | $36,000 | 759,757 | 2 |
| 43 | Colorado Springs, CO | $49,255 | $33,000 | 465,101 | 59 |
| 44 | San Francisco, CA | $63,180 | $41,000 | 870,887 | 95 |
| 45 | Scottsdale, AZ | $53,652 | $35,000 | 246,645 | 5 |
| 46 | Denver, CO | $49,560 | $33,000 | 693,060 | 183 |
| 47 | Raleigh, NC | $47,916 | $33,000 | 458,880 | 28 |
| 48 | Newark, NJ | $53,340 | $37,000 | 281,764 | 33 |
| 49 | Dallas, TX | $49,629 | $33,000 | 1,317,929 | 46 |
| 50 | Lexington, KY | $44,219 | $30,000 | 318,449 | 11 |
Highest paying cities for social workers
| Rank | City | Avg. social worker salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland, OR | $67,065 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $63,180 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $62,783 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $60,188 |
| 5 | Reno, NV | $59,521 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $53,662 |
| 7 | Salt Lake City, UT | $53,350 |
| 8 | Rochester, NH | $53,215 |
| 9 | Worcester, MA | $52,597 |
| 10 | Saint Paul, MN | $51,759 |
| 11 | New York, NY | $51,336 |
| 12 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $50,024 |
| 13 | Fort Worth, TX | $49,724 |
| 14 | Denver, CO | $49,560 |
| 15 | Portland, ME | $49,013 |
| 16 | Baltimore, MD | $49,013 |
| 17 | Cleveland, OH | $48,761 |
| 18 | New Orleans, LA | $48,458 |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $48,200 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $47,951 |
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Updated January 8, 2025