Best States For a Social Worker
- Rank 1 - 10
- 11 - 20
- 21 - 30
- 31 - 40
- 41 - 51
Here Are the Best States for Social Workers In 2023:
1. Oregon
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 897 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $67,057 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $44,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $101,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.32 |
2. Washington
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,716 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $59,863 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $40,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $89,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.43 |
3. California
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 6,366 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $60,592 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $40,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $91,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.33 |
4. Idaho
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 365 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $53,676 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $35,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $80,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.35 |
5. Connecticut
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 678 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $56,958 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $40,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $80,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.24 |
Are There Any Particularly Good Places In The United States For Social Workers To Find Work Opportunities?
KJ Cerankowski Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Comparative American Studies and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies, Oberlin College
One great thing about a degree in these interdisciplinary fields is that it opens many job possibilities. Graduates from these fields may do all sorts of different work for nonprofits or NGOs in the education sector, politics, research, writing and editing, and healthcare settings.
With the pandemic, there has been so much variability state-by-state in terms of spread, plans for reopening, and what remains closed, that it's hard to say which places may be better to look for work. I know some recent graduates are still landing jobs and making big moves all over the United States for those jobs, while others are taking on remote work and choosing where they will live. I recommend, if one is able, casting a wide net, being open to new places or job possibilities you might not have initially imagined for yourself.Show more
6. New Hampshire
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 368 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $53,534 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $38,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $73,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.28 |
7. Alaska
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 133 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $64,923 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $56,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $75,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.97 |
8. Utah
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 647 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $53,356 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $35,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $80,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.23 |
9. New Mexico
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 408 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $53,253 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $35,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $79,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.27 |
10. Rhode Island
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 161 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $55,730 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $39,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $77,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.81 |
Social Worker JobsNear Ashburn, VA
11. Nevada
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 239 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $57,212 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $37,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $86,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.7 |
12. West Virginia
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 319 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,219 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $34,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $69,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.27 |
13. Vermont
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 91 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $56,220 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $41,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $76,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.72 |
14. District of Columbia
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 206 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $62,788 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $44,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $89,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.75 |
15. Arizona
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 697 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $53,588 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $36,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $79,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.72 |
16. Massachusetts
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,780 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $52,520 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $37,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $72,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.18 |
17. Wyoming
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 84 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,845 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $34,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $73,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.85 |
18. Texas
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 3,628 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,561 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $73,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.09 |
19. Maine
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 271 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,772 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $36,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $65,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.24 |
20. Minnesota
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 660 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $51,676 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $37,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $71,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.6 |
Social Worker Jobs In The Top 10 States
Find the best Social Worker job for you
21. Louisiana
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 645 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,509 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $32,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $71,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.23 |
22. South Carolina
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 891 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $47,915 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $69,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.21 |
23. North Dakota
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 99 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,816 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $36,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $67,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.65 |
24. New Jersey
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 864 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $53,256 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $37,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $75,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.66 |
25. Colorado
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,144 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,541 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $73,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.17 |
26. North Carolina
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,679 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $47,712 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $68,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.06 |
27. New York
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 2,055 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $51,304 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $36,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $72,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.97 |
28. Delaware
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 215 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,348 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $34,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $70,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.04 |
29. Mississippi
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 211 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,746 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $71,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.61 |
30. Pennsylvania
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,385 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $47,835 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $67,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.72 |
31. Michigan
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 998 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $47,563 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $66,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.78 |
32. Wisconsin
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 451 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,160 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $34,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $67,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.5 |
33. Ohio
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 856 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,035 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $33,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $67,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.51 |
34. Maryland
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,078 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,815 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $34,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $69,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.03 |
35. Tennessee
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,239 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $43,700 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $62,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.28 |
36. Florida
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 3,305 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,733 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $65,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.29 |
37. Illinois
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,401 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $48,072 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $34,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $67,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.71 |
38. Hawaii
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 130 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $49,983 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $42,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $58,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.94 |
39. Oklahoma
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 572 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,745 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $65,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.13 |
40. South Dakota
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 230 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $42,906 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $60,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.31 |
41. Nebraska
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 463 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $43,648 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $62,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.27 |
42. Montana
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 164 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $46,145 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $32,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $66,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.86 |
43. Arkansas
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 262 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $45,141 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $31,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $65,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.61 |
44. Alabama
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 673 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,051 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $64,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.93 |
45. Georgia
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,939 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,104 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $63,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.14 |
46. Iowa
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 336 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $45,893 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $32,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $64,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.56 |
47. Missouri
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,089 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $43,758 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $62,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.13 |
48. Virginia
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 1,642 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,452 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $31,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $63,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 1.06 |
49. Indiana
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 649 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,259 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $31,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $62,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.6 |
50. Kentucky
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 323 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,118 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $62,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.53 |
51. Kansas
Total Social Worker Jobs: | 239 |
| Average Annual Salary: | $44,637 |
| Lowest 10 Percent Earn: | $30,000 |
| Highest 10 Percent Earn: | $64,000 |
| Location Quotient: | 0.48 |
The 10 Best States In The US For Social Workers in 2022
How We Determined The Best States To Be A Social Worker
You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.
Detailed List Of The Best States For A Social Worker
| Rank | State | Average Salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $67,057 | $44,000 | 4,142,776 | 897 |
| 2 | Washington | $59,863 | $40,000 | 7,405,743 | 1,716 |
| 3 | California | $60,592 | $40,000 | 39,536,653 | 6,366 |
| 4 | Idaho | $53,676 | $35,000 | 1,716,943 | 365 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $56,958 | $40,000 | 3,588,184 | 678 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $53,534 | $38,000 | 1,342,795 | 368 |
| 7 | Alaska | $64,923 | $56,000 | 739,795 | 133 |
| 8 | Utah | $53,356 | $35,000 | 3,101,833 | 647 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $53,253 | $35,000 | 2,088,070 | 408 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $55,730 | $39,000 | 1,059,639 | 161 |
| 11 | Nevada | $57,212 | $37,000 | 2,998,039 | 239 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $49,219 | $34,000 | 1,815,857 | 319 |
| 13 | Vermont | $56,220 | $41,000 | 623,657 | 91 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $62,788 | $44,000 | 693,972 | 206 |
| 15 | Arizona | $53,588 | $36,000 | 7,016,270 | 697 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $52,520 | $37,000 | 6,859,819 | 1,780 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $49,845 | $34,000 | 579,315 | 84 |
| 18 | Texas | $49,561 | $33,000 | 28,304,596 | 3,628 |
| 19 | Maine | $48,772 | $36,000 | 1,335,907 | 271 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $51,676 | $37,000 | 5,576,606 | 660 |
| 21 | Louisiana | $48,509 | $32,000 | 4,684,333 | 645 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $47,915 | $33,000 | 5,024,369 | 891 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $49,816 | $36,000 | 755,393 | 99 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $53,256 | $37,000 | 9,005,644 | 864 |
| 25 | Colorado | $49,541 | $33,000 | 5,607,154 | 1,144 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $47,712 | $33,000 | 10,273,419 | 1,679 |
| 27 | New York | $51,304 | $36,000 | 19,849,399 | 2,055 |
| 28 | Delaware | $49,348 | $34,000 | 961,939 | 215 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $48,746 | $33,000 | 2,984,100 | 211 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $47,835 | $33,000 | 12,805,537 | 1,385 |
| 31 | Michigan | $47,563 | $33,000 | 9,962,311 | 998 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $48,160 | $34,000 | 5,795,483 | 451 |
| 33 | Ohio | $48,035 | $33,000 | 11,658,609 | 856 |
| 34 | Maryland | $48,815 | $34,000 | 6,052,177 | 1,078 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $43,700 | $30,000 | 6,715,984 | 1,239 |
| 36 | Florida | $44,733 | $30,000 | 20,984,400 | 3,305 |
| 37 | Illinois | $48,072 | $34,000 | 12,802,023 | 1,401 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $49,983 | $42,000 | 1,427,538 | 130 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $44,745 | $30,000 | 3,930,864 | 572 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $42,906 | $30,000 | 869,666 | 230 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $43,648 | $30,000 | 1,920,076 | 463 |
| 42 | Montana | $46,145 | $32,000 | 1,050,493 | 164 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $45,141 | $31,000 | 3,004,279 | 262 |
| 44 | Alabama | $44,051 | $30,000 | 4,874,747 | 673 |
| 45 | Georgia | $44,104 | $30,000 | 10,429,379 | 1,939 |
| 46 | Iowa | $45,893 | $32,000 | 3,145,711 | 336 |
| 47 | Missouri | $43,758 | $30,000 | 6,113,532 | 1,089 |
| 48 | Virginia | $44,452 | $31,000 | 8,470,020 | 1,642 |
| 49 | Indiana | $44,259 | $31,000 | 6,666,818 | 649 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $44,118 | $30,000 | 4,454,189 | 323 |
| 51 | Kansas | $44,637 | $30,000 | 2,913,123 | 239 |
Highest paying states for Social Workers
| Rank | State | Avg. Social Worker Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $67,057 |
| 2 | Washington | $59,863 |
| 3 | California | $60,592 |
| 4 | Idaho | $53,676 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $56,958 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $53,534 |
| 7 | Alaska | $64,923 |
| 8 | Utah | $53,356 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $53,253 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $55,730 |
| 11 | Nevada | $57,212 |
| 12 | West Virginia | $49,219 |
| 13 | Vermont | $56,220 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $62,788 |
| 15 | Arizona | $53,588 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $52,520 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $49,845 |
| 18 | Texas | $49,561 |
| 19 | Maine | $48,772 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $51,676 |
| 21 | Louisiana | $48,509 |
| 22 | South Carolina | $47,915 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $49,816 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $53,256 |
| 25 | Colorado | $49,541 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $47,712 |
| 27 | New York | $51,304 |
| 28 | Delaware | $49,348 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $48,746 |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | $47,835 |
| 31 | Michigan | $47,563 |
| 32 | Wisconsin | $48,160 |
| 33 | Ohio | $48,035 |
| 34 | Maryland | $48,815 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $43,700 |
| 36 | Florida | $44,733 |
| 37 | Illinois | $48,072 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $49,983 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $44,745 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $42,906 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $43,648 |
| 42 | Montana | $46,145 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $45,141 |
| 44 | Alabama | $44,051 |
| 45 | Georgia | $44,104 |
| 46 | Iowa | $45,893 |
| 47 | Missouri | $43,758 |
| 48 | Virginia | $44,452 |
| 49 | Indiana | $44,259 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $44,118 |
| 51 | Kansas | $44,637 |
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