Healthcare Social Worker Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$78,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $67,880
State Rank
#8 of 51
5,180 employed here

How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in Washington?

A Healthcare Social Worker working in Washington earns a median salary of $78,570 per year, or about $37.77 per hour. That is 16% above the national median of $67,880 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $48,390 while the top 10% make $124,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,690 and $98,990 a year.

Healthcare Social Worker salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,390$23.26
25th percentile (early career)$59,690$28.70
50th percentile (median)$78,570$37.77
75th percentile (experienced)$98,990$47.59
90th percentile (top earners)$124,360$59.79

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 8th 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($78,570) 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 Washington?
The median Healthcare Social Worker salary in Washington is $78,570 per year, or about $37.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,390 at the entry level to $124,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Healthcare Social Workers about 16% more than the national median of $67,880. Washington ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Healthcare Social Workers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,570 a year. About 5,180 Healthcare Social Workers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.