Healthcare Social Worker salary in Massachusetts
Healthcare Social Workers in Massachusetts earn a median of $76,440 a year ($36.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,070 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $67,880. Massachusetts ranks 13th of 51 states for healthcare social workers pay. There are 2.0 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| 25th percentile | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Median | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| 75th percentile | $92,110 | $44.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,070 | $49.07 |
| Average (mean) | $77,000 | $37.02 |
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 | $6,370 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,185 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,940 |
| Weekly | $1,470 |
| Hourly | $36.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,410 | 4,950 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $78,160 | 180 |
| Worcester, MA | $74,520 | 850 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $74,350 | 960 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $72,720 | 110 |
| Springfield, MA | $68,150 | 600 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $59,110 | 140 |
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 |
Related jobs in Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,890 | $28.80 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Community Health Worker | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Health Education Specialist | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $101,280 | $48.69 |
| Counselors, All Other | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Clergy | $72,190 | $34.71 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in Massachusetts is $76,440 a year, or $36.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in Massachusetts earn at least $102,070 a year. The top 25% earn $92,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,270 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $60,300 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Massachusetts?
About 7,220 healthcare social workers are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.