Healthcare Social Worker Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$64,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $67,880
State Rank
#28 of 51
4,910 employed here

How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in Illinois?

A Healthcare Social Worker working in Illinois earns a median salary of $64,270 per year, or about $30.90 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $67,880 for this occupation.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $47,290 while the top 10% make $96,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,270 and $78,610 a year.

Healthcare Social Worker salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,290$22.74
25th percentile (early career)$54,270$26.09
50th percentile (median)$64,270$30.90
75th percentile (experienced)$78,610$37.79
90th percentile (top earners)$96,970$46.62

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 28th out of 51 states and territories for Healthcare Social Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$94,100
2California$89,660
3Hawaii$85,420
4Oregon$84,350
5New Jersey$82,690

Working as a Healthcare Social Worker in Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($64,270) 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 Illinois?
The median Healthcare Social Worker salary in Illinois is $64,270 per year, or about $30.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,290 at the entry level to $96,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Healthcare Social Workers about 5% less than the national median of $67,880. Illinois ranks 28th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Healthcare Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,270 a year. About 4,910 Healthcare Social Workers are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.