Child, Family, and School Social Workers salary in Tennessee
Child, Family, and School Social Workers in Tennessee earn a median of $56,310 a year ($27.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,230 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $59,550. Tennessee ranks 31st of 51 states for child, family, and school social workers pay. There are 2.4 child, family, and school social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for child, family, and school social workers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| 25th percentile | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Median | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| 75th percentile | $68,720 | $33.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Average (mean) | $57,350 | $27.57 |
Half of child, family, and school social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,692.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,346.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,165.77 |
| Weekly | $1,082.88 |
| Hourly | $27.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,230 | 330 |
| Morristown, TN | $58,090 | 180 |
| Cleveland, TN | $58,020 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $56,310 | 1,070 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $56,090 | 1,810 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $55,630 | 2,240 |
| Johnson City, TN | $53,980 | 270 |
| Jackson, TN | $53,960 | 250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $53,040 | 370 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $52,330 | 600 |
Highest-paying states for child, family, and school social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $78,970 |
| Maryland | $76,390 |
| New Jersey | $76,280 |
| Massachusetts | $75,570 |
| Washington | $74,480 |
| District of Columbia | $73,550 |
| New Hampshire | $71,010 |
| Rhode Island | $69,870 |
| Hawaii | $68,270 |
| Minnesota | $67,450 |
See Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Counselors, All Other | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Health Education Specialist | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Clergy | $57,260 | $27.53 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a child, family, and school social workers make in Tennessee?
The median salary for child, family, and school social workers in Tennessee is $56,310 a year, or $27.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid child, family, and school social workers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of child, family, and school social workers in Tennessee earn at least $77,230 a year. The top 25% earn $68,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for child, family, and school social workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,650 a year, and a quarter of child, family, and school social workers earn $46,660 or less.
How many child, family, and school social workers work in Tennessee?
About 7,870 child, family, and school social workers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.