California Median
$89,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+32% vs US median
US median $67,880
State Rank
#2 of 51
17,690 employed here
How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in California?
Healthcare Social Workers in California take home a median of $89,660 annually — roughly $43.11 an hour — which runs 32% above the national median of $67,880.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $54,220 while the top 10% make $134,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $67,630 and $118,740 a year.
Healthcare Social Worker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,220 | $26.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $67,630 | $32.51 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,660 | $43.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $118,740 | $57.09 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,880 | $64.85 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Healthcare Social Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Healthcare Social Worker salary in other states
District of Columbia $94,100Hawaii $85,420Oregon $84,350New Jersey $82,690Vermont $81,140Connecticut $79,900Washington $78,570Nevada $78,470New Hampshire $78,260Utah $78,150Maryland $76,440Massachusetts $76,440Rhode Island $75,390Idaho $74,500Minnesota $73,970New York $73,070Maine $71,610Texas $69,990Michigan $67,600Wisconsin $66,910Virginia $66,550New Mexico $65,930Florida $64,820Delaware $64,620Indiana $64,580Kansas $64,440Illinois $64,270Kentucky $64,080Arizona $64,030Ohio $63,610Colorado $63,480North Carolina $63,280Iowa $63,050North Dakota $62,860Georgia $62,420Nebraska $62,420Wyoming $62,260Mississippi $62,250Alaska $62,000Pennsylvania $61,900Tennessee $61,240Louisiana $61,080South Carolina $60,840West Virginia $60,140Alabama $60,000Missouri $59,870South Dakota $57,510Montana $57,090Oklahoma $56,120Arkansas $55,640
Working as a Healthcare Social Worker in California
Nationally, about 188,000 people work as Healthcare Social Workers in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($89,660) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in California?
The median Healthcare Social Worker salary in California is $89,660 per year, or about $43.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,220 at the entry level to $134,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Healthcare Social Workers about 32% more than the national median of $67,880. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Healthcare Social Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $89,660 a year. About 17,690 Healthcare Social Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Healthcare Social Worker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.