Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) Salary in California
Median annual base pay is $77,500 across 59 reported Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) salaries in California.
Updated 11 September 2026
Salary Distribution (By Percentile)
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $57,100 | $58,614 | $77,500 | $92,768 | $105,000 |
Top Cities in California
| City | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $81,800 | 7 |
| Los Angeles | $80,000 | 13 |
| San Diego | $71,800 | 7 |
Salary by Level
| Level | Common titles | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / Early Career | Therapist · Social Worker · Medical Social Worker | $62,400 | 24 |
| Mid-Level | Licensed Clinical Social Worker · Psychotherapist · Social Worker (GS-11) | $91,187 | 9 |
| Senior | Senior Social Worker | — | 1 |
| Manager | Clinical Supervisor · Supervisory Social Worker (GS-12) · Social Worker (Program Coordinator) (GS-12) | — | 2 |
How They're Paid
| Model | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $59,280 | 20 |
| Annual Salary | $92,768 | 14 |
Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) salaries in other states
Common questions
How much does a Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) make in California?
The median Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) salary in California is $77,500 per year, based on 59 reported salaries.
Which city in California pays Social Worker (MSW/LCSW)s the most?
San Jose has the highest median at $81,800 per year, of the cities with enough reports to publish a median.
How much does a Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) at the Mid-Level level make in California?
$91,187 per year at the median — $13,687 above the Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) median in California.
Am I underpaid as a Social Worker (MSW/LCSW)?
All Social Worker (MSW/LCSW) salaries · Browse salaries by role