Social Workers, All Other salary in California
Social Workers, All Other in California earn a median of $63,010 a year ($30.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,480 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $71,900. California ranks 38th of 50 states for social workers, all other pay. There are 0.35 social workers, all other per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social workers, all other in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| 25th percentile | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Median | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| 75th percentile | $102,160 | $49.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,480 | $63.69 |
| Average (mean) | $75,300 | $36.20 |
Half of social workers, all other 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 | $5,250.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,625.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,423.46 |
| Weekly | $1,211.73 |
| Hourly | $30.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social Workers, All Other salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $121,180 | 50 |
| Modesto, CA | $102,180 | 30 |
| Vallejo, CA | $102,160 | 80 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $102,040 | 40 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $94,740 | 430 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $93,340 | 170 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,310 | 150 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $79,260 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,480 | 720 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $77,010 | 720 |
| Fresno, CA | $74,090 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $68,630 | 1,410 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $67,140 | 30 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,330 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $53,740 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $36,160 | 1,620 |
Highest-paying states for social workers, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $121,830 |
| Hawaii | $116,130 |
| Rhode Island | $111,590 |
| New Hampshire | $103,710 |
| Washington | $102,520 |
| Oklahoma | $101,860 |
| Massachusetts | $101,280 |
| Missouri | $98,740 |
| District of Columbia | $96,380 |
| South Carolina | $96,350 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,250 | $28.48 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $51,090 | $24.56 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $67,300 | $32.35 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $89,660 | $43.11 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $58,770 | $28.26 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $103,640 | $49.83 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $44,480 | $21.38 |
| Health Education Specialist | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Counselors, All Other | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Community Health Worker | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Clergy | $77,710 | $37.36 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1029. 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 social workers, all other make in California?
The median salary for social workers, all other in California is $63,010 a year, or $30.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social workers, all other make in California?
The top 10% of social workers, all other in California earn at least $132,480 a year. The top 25% earn $102,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for social workers, all other in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,160 a year, and a quarter of social workers, all other earn $42,350 or less.
How many social workers, all other work in California?
About 6,430 social workers, all other are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.