Healthcare Social Worker salary in Pennsylvania
Healthcare Social Workers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $61,900 a year ($29.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,220 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $67,880. Pennsylvania ranks 41st of 51 states for healthcare social workers pay. There are 1.6 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,770 | $22.48 |
| 25th percentile | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Median | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| 75th percentile | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,220 | $40.01 |
| Average (mean) | $65,690 | $31.58 |
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 | $5,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,579.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,380.77 |
| Weekly | $1,190.38 |
| Hourly | $29.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $65,990 | 4,190 |
| Reading, PA | $64,490 | 140 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $64,390 | 560 |
| Johnstown, PA | $63,800 | 60 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $62,840 | n/a |
| York-Hanover, PA | $62,690 | 180 |
| State College, PA | $62,380 | 60 |
| Lancaster, PA | $62,300 | 300 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $61,590 | 340 |
| Williamsport, PA | $60,970 | 70 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $60,430 | 2,810 |
| Erie, PA | $60,390 | 130 |
| Altoona, PA | $59,970 | 80 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $58,580 | 60 |
| Lebanon, PA | $58,260 | 50 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $52,010 | $25.01 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Health Education Specialist | $80,670 | $38.78 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Community Health Worker | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $74,430 | $35.79 |
| Counselors, All Other | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Clergy | $58,300 | $28.03 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in Pennsylvania is $61,900 a year, or $29.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in Pennsylvania earn at least $83,220 a year. The top 25% earn $76,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,770 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $57,200 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Pennsylvania?
About 9,630 healthcare social workers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.