Master of Social Work Salary Data

Based on 370 real salary reports from MSW holders across the United States

$66,573

Average salary

$27,000 – $175,000

Salary range

States represented

CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, IL, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, VA, WA, WI

370

Records

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What is a MSW?

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is the graduate degree that serves as the foundation for professional social work practice. While not a license itself, the MSW is required for most licensed social work positions and is the stepping stone to credentials like LMSW and LCSW.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree (in any field for regular programs, or a BSW for advanced-standing programs) and completion of a CSWE-accredited MSW program, typically 2 years full-time or 1 year for advanced standing.

MSW salary by state

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

State	Avg salary	Range	Reports
CA	$82,599	$33,077 – $130,000	30
WA	$71,385	$55,000 – $87,000	13
VA	$71,200	$50,000 – $85,000	5
NY	$67,106	$32,000 – $125,000	16
MA	$66,375	$32,000 – $100,000	8
GA	$65,667	$62,400 – $67,600	3
MI	$65,500	$55,000 – $85,000	6
MD	$65,500	$55,000 – $92,000	4
NJ	$62,380	$43,000 – $120,640	8
CO	$61,900	$41,600 – $78,000	4
MN	$61,667	$44,000 – $82,000	9
OR	$61,461	$41,766.4 – $84,000	6
OH	$60,236	$38,000 – $85,000	14
IL	$58,567	$30,000 – $105,000	20
MO	$57,820	$38,000 – $92,000	5
NC	$56,750	$37,500 – $75,000	8
WI	$55,620	$48,500 – $60,000	5
PA	$55,006	$37,000 – $73,000	11
FL	$52,701	$33,000 – $68,000	13
SC	$49,375	$36,500 – $60,000	4
TN	$48,869	$39,000 – $65,000	5
IA	$45,000	$40,000 – $50,000	4
KY	$42,527	$33,280 – $60,000	3

MSW salary charts

Visual breakdowns of Master of Social Work compensation data

Where do MSW holders earn the most?

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

Lighter bars indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution

How have MSW salaries changed over time?

Average MSW salary tracked across survey periods from 2021 to 2026

Smaller, lighter dots indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution

Does more experience mean higher MSW pay?

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

Lighter bars indicate fewer reports — interpret with caution

Frequently asked questions

What can you do with an MSW?

An MSW qualifies you for licensure as an LMSW or equivalent in most states. Common roles include clinical social worker, school social worker, hospital social worker, case manager, and policy analyst.

Is an MSW the same as being licensed?

No. The MSW is a degree, not a license. After earning your MSW, you must apply for state licensure (typically LMSW) to practice as a licensed social worker. The license requires passing the ASWB exam.

How much does an MSW earn without a license?

Social workers with an MSW but no license may earn less than licensed peers, as many positions require or prefer licensure. Our data includes MSW-only respondents — see the charts for current figures.

Related credentials

LMSWLicensed Master Social Worker LCSWLicensed Clinical Social Worker BSWBachelor of Social Work

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