Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News is 2,020.
  • Social Workers in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News earn an average of $54,170 per year or $26.05 per hour.
  • The percentage of Virginia Social Workers who work in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News is 1%.

Rankings for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News

  • Ranks #2 in Virginia for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Virginia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #122 in the nation for salary and #145 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #35 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Virginia

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Social Workers earn an average of $54,170 or $26.05 per hour which is 6% less than the Virginia average salary of $58,100.

AverageVirginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport NewsVirginia% Difference
Hourly Wage$26.05$27.93-6.73%
Annual Salary$54,170$58,100-6.76%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Social Workers earn an average of $54,170 or $26.05 per hour which is 1% less than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AverageVirginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport NewsU.S.%
Hourly Wage$26.05$26.39-1.29%
Annual Salary$54,170$54,880-1.29%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News earns an average annual salary of $56,321 which compares to the Virginia average annual salary of $58,100. per year.

Cost-of-living in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News is 4% less than the Virginia average, which means Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Virginia average.

  • Virginia average salary is $58,100.
  • Virginia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $57,536.
  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News average salary is $54,170.
  • Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News cost-of-living adjusted salary is $56,321.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News$54,17096.18%$56,321
Virginia$58,100100.98%$57,536
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, 50% of Social Workers earn between $46,640 and $61,280 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $77,250, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $37,910, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year202Under $37,910
15%2 – 4 years303$37,910 – $46,640
25%5 – 9 years505$46,640 – $49,230
25%10 – 14 years505$49,230 – $61,280
15%15 – 20 years303$49,230 – $77,250
10%20+ years202Above $77,250
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $54,170, Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Social Workers tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($110,140), Forensic Psychologists ($98,700), Psychology Teachers ($80,410), School Psychologists ($76,850), and Health Care Social Workers ($54,560).

However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($50,140), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($51,470).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$110,140
Forensic Psychologists$98,700
Psychology Teachers$80,410
School Psychologists$76,850
Health Care Social Workers$54,560
Social Workers$54,170
Substance Abuse Counselors$51,470
Marriage and Family Therapists$50,140
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News is 2,020.

Social Workers earn an average of $54,170 per year or $26.05 per hour in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Social Workers earn an average of $56,321 per year or $27 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($110,140), Forensic Psychologists($98,700), Psychology Teachers($80,410).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in Virginia cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data