Average Social Worker Salary in California

Social Services · Updated 2024 · Based on BLS and industry data

Salary Overview

The average Social Worker in California earns $65,700 per year, which is above the national average of $58,380. This translates to approximately $31.59 per hour, $2,527 biweekly, or $5,475 per month before taxes.

The cost of living in California is 42% above the national average, which explains the higher salary levels needed to maintain purchasing power.

Salary Range

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
Entry Level (25th)	$49,300	$23.70
Average (50th)	$65,700	$31.59
Experienced (75th)	$75,600	$36.32
Top Earners (90th)	$85,400	$41.06

Social Worker Salary by City in California

City	Average Salary	Monthly
Los Angeles	$71,000	$5,917/mo
San Francisco	$67,000	$5,583/mo
San Diego	$64,400	$5,367/mo
San Jose	$62,400	$5,200/mo
Sacramento	$61,100	$5,092/mo

Career Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Job Category	Social Services
Typical Education	Bachelor's/Master's
Job Growth (2022-2032)	7% (nationwide)
State Income Tax	1%-13.3% (9 brackets + mental health surcharge)
State Minimum Wage	$16.00/hr
Cost of Living Index	1.42 (+42% vs national avg)

Top Employers in California

Major employers hiring Social Workers in California include Kaiser Permanente, Google, Apple, Walt Disney, and Chevron. These companies and organizations offer competitive salaries and benefits packages for social services professionals.

Calculate Your California Take-Home Pay

Want to see your actual paycheck after taxes? Use our free California Take-Home Pay Calculator to see exactly how much you'll take home based on your salary, filing status, and deductions.