Healthcare Social Worker salary in Knoxville, TN
Healthcare Social Workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $61,560 a year ($29.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,500 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $67,880. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $61,240. There are 1.2 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| 25th percentile | $47,140 | $22.67 |
| Median | $61,560 | $29.59 |
| 75th percentile | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Average (mean) | $62,010 | $29.81 |
Half of healthcare 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 | $5,130 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,565 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,367.69 |
| Weekly | $1,183.85 |
| Hourly | $29.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,040 | 2,210 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,430 | 950 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,840 | 100 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,950 | 610 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,210 | 110 |
| Cleveland, TN | $58,240 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $54,520 | 230 |
| Johnson City, TN | $52,020 | 230 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $49,570 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
See Healthcare Social Worker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,910 | $23.52 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,030 | $27.90 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Counselors, All Other | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,320 | $30.92 |
| Community Health Worker | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Clergy | $57,140 | $27.47 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1022. 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 healthcare social worker make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $61,560 a year, or $29.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $81,500 a year. The top 25% earn $77,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,090 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $47,140 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 530 healthcare social workers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.