Salary Outlook
The pay is alright, but not terrific, for social workers. The BLS reports that those who concentrate on children and family welfare made a median salary of $40,680 in 2011. The best-paid 10 percent in the field earned a little more than $70,000, while the lowest-paid made approximately $26,190. Keep in mind that the school system offers some of the best salaries for this position, but psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals also pay well.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $46,700.00 |
| 2004 | $32,640.00 |
| 2006 | $40,540.00 |
| 2008 | $36,810.00 |
| 2010 | $49,200.00 |
Average Child & Family Social Worker Pay vs. All Social Services Jobs
You should note that clinical social workers tend to make more money than those who specialize in children and families. With a median salary squarely in the low 40s, children and family social workers also make less money than most high school, elementary, and middle school teachers. They make more money, on average, than mental health counselors and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, however.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| High School Teacher | $54,270.00 |
| School Counselor | $54,130.00 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $52,840.00 |
| Clinical Social Worker | $48,620.00 |
| Child & Family Social Worker | $40,680.00 |
| Sports Coach | $28,470.00 |
See Complete List of Best Social Services Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Child & Family Social Workers
The highest paid in the child & family social worker profession work in the metropolitan areas of Nassau, NY, Danbury, CT, and Waterbury, CT. The New Haven, CT area also pays well, as does the city of Leominster, MA.
Nassau, NY
Average Salary: $66,840 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a child & family social worker working in Nassau, NY is $66,840, which is $26,160 more than the average pay in the profession.
Danbury, CT
Average Salary: $64,700 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a child & family social worker working in Danbury, CT is $64,700, which is $24,020 more than the average pay in the profession.
Waterbury, CT
Average Salary: $64,270 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a child & family social worker working in Waterbury, CT is $64,270, which is $23,590 more than the average pay in the profession.
New Haven, CT
Average Salary: $63,820 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a child & family social worker working in New Haven, CT is $63,820, which is $23,140 more than the average pay in the profession.
Leominster, MA
Average Salary: $62,750 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a child & family social worker working in Leominster, MA is $62,750, which is $22,070 more than the average pay in the profession.
