Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker Salary Data
Based on 47 real salary reports from LICSW holders across the United States
$89,081
Average salary
$38,000 – $174,000
Salary range
6
States represented
DC, MA, MN, WA
47
Records
Get your free LICSW salary report
Get a PDF report with data from this page, plus tips & tools to grow your career. Unsubscribe anytime.
What is a LICSW?
The Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) is an advanced clinical license used in several states including Massachusetts, Washington, and Minnesota. It is functionally equivalent to the LCSW in other states and allows independent clinical practice and psychotherapy.
Requirements
A master's degree in social work (MSW), completion of supervised post-graduate clinical hours (typically 3,000-4,000 hours over 2-3 years), and passing the ASWB Clinical exam. Specific hour and supervision requirements vary by state.
LICSW salary by state
Average Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker salaries across US states, based on self-reported data
| State | Avg salary | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| DC | $106,000 | 3 |
| MN | $104,000 | 4 |
| WA | $82,750 | 4 |
| MA | $78,811 | 19 |
LICSW salary charts
Visual breakdowns of Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker compensation data
Where do LICSW holders earn the most?
Top states by average LICSW salary — hover for min/max range
Lighter bars indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution
How have LICSW salaries changed over time?
Average LICSW salary tracked across survey periods from 2021 to 2026
Smaller, lighter dots indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution
Does more experience mean higher LICSW pay?
Each dot is one LICSW salary report — see how pay scales with years in the field
Lighter bars indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between LICSW and LCSW?
The LICSW and LCSW are functionally equivalent licenses — both allow independent clinical practice. The name used depends on the state. For example, Massachusetts and Washington use LICSW, while most other states use LCSW.
Which states use the LICSW designation?
The LICSW designation is used in Massachusetts, Washington, Minnesota, and a few other states. Most states use LCSW for the equivalent license.
What can an LICSW do that an LMSW cannot?
An LICSW can practice independently, diagnose mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy without supervision, and bill insurance directly. An LMSW typically requires supervision for clinical work.
Related credentials
Presented by
Powerfully Simple Case Management Software