Bachelor of Social Work Salary Data

Based on 181 real salary reports from BSW holders across the United States

$56,222

Average salary

$25,600 – $113,000

Salary range

States represented

AZ, CA, FL, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI

181

Records

Get your free BSW salary report

Get a PDF report with data from this page, plus tips & tools to grow your career. Unsubscribe anytime.

What is a BSW?

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is the undergraduate degree in social work. BSW holders can pursue entry-level social work positions and are eligible for advanced-standing MSW programs, which shorten the graduate degree from two years to one.

Requirements

Completion of a CSWE-accredited BSW program, typically a 4-year undergraduate degree including field practicum hours. Some states offer entry-level licensure (LSW or equivalent) for BSW holders.

BSW salary by state

Average Bachelor of Social Work salaries across US states, based on self-reported data

State	Avg salary	Range	Reports
CA	$72,727	$45,000 – $113,000	11
WA	$68,870	$38,480 – $109,000	10
TX	$68,525	$48,000 – $105,000	6
MN	$59,473	$47,840 – $80,000	6
MA	$54,295	$50,000 – $58,885.88	3
MD	$54,150	$41,000 – $67,000	10
WI	$54,000	$47,000 – $60,000	3
FL	$52,667	$30,000 – $70,000	3
AZ	$49,833	$46,500 – $56,000	3
OK	$49,333	$48,000 – $50,000	3
VA	$48,400	$36,000 – $60,000	5
OH	$47,600	$38,000 – $62,000	5
NC	$47,500	$43,500 – $55,000	3
PA	$46,700	$37,000 – $58,500	5
NY	$45,606	$35,000 – $54,000	7
MI	$43,830	$34,320 – $56,000	4
IL	$41,500	$34,000 – $48,000	3
TN	$41,000	$27,000 – $60,000	6

BSW salary charts

Visual breakdowns of Bachelor of Social Work compensation data

Where do BSW holders earn the most?

Top states by average BSW salary — hover for min/max range

Lighter bars indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution

How have BSW salaries changed over time?

Average BSW salary tracked across survey periods from 2021 to 2026

Smaller, lighter dots indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution

Does more experience mean higher BSW pay?

Each dot is one BSW salary report — see how pay scales with years in the field

Lighter bars indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution

Frequently asked questions

What jobs can you get with a BSW?

BSW holders work in case management, child welfare, community outreach, substance abuse support, and other entry-level social services roles. Clinical and independent practice roles generally require an MSW and further licensure.

Is a BSW worth getting?

A BSW provides a direct pathway into social work and qualifies you for advanced-standing MSW programs that save a year of graduate study. It is valuable if you are certain about a social work career.

How much do BSW social workers make?

BSW salaries are typically lower than MSW or LCSW salaries, reflecting the entry-level nature of the credential. Our data includes BSW respondents — check the charts on this page for current averages.

Related credentials

MSWMaster of Social Work LSWLicensed Social Worker LMSWLicensed Master Social Worker

Presented by

Powerfully Simple Case Management Software