Healthcare Social Worker Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$63,280
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $67,880
State Rank
#33 of 51
5,120 employed here

How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in North Carolina?

Healthcare Social Workers in North Carolina take home a median of $63,280 annually — roughly $30.42 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $67,880.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $40,650 while the top 10% make $85,070 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,000 and $77,160 a year.

Healthcare Social Worker salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,650$19.54
25th percentile (early career)$53,000$25.48
50th percentile (median)$63,280$30.42
75th percentile (experienced)$77,160$37.10
90th percentile (top earners)$85,070$40.90

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 33rd 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($63,280) 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 North Carolina?
The median Healthcare Social Worker salary in North Carolina is $63,280 per year, or about $30.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,650 at the entry level to $85,070 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Healthcare Social Workers about 7% less than the national median of $67,880. North Carolina ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Healthcare Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,280 a year. About 5,120 Healthcare Social Workers are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Healthcare Social Worker salary report

Related salaries

Counselor, All Other

$50,860
median pay · 29,000 employed

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$60,280
median pay · 133,000 employed

Health Education Specialist

$64,070
median pay · 66,000 employed

Community Health Worker

$51,850
median pay · 62,000 employed

Directors, Religious Activities and Education

$52,100
median pay · 22,000 employed

Rehabilitation Counselor

$46,850
median pay · 95,000 employed
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.