Salary Report for Colorado Health Care Social Workers

  • The number of Health Care Social Workers currently employed in Colorado is 3,380.
  • Health Care Social Workers in Colorado earn an average of $58,450 per year or $28.10 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Health Care Social Workers who work in Colorado is 2%.
  • Colorado will need 4,180 new Health Care Social Workers by 2030 or 420 new psychologists per year.

Colorado Rankings

  • Colorado ranks #29 in the U.S. for Health Care Social Workers salary and #12 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Colorado ranks #20 in the U.S. for the total number of Health Care Social Workers employed.
  • Colorado ranks #18 in U.S. for the number of new Health Care Social Workers needed by 2030.
  • Colorado ranks #2 in U.S. for the percentage of new Health Care Social Workers needed by 2030.

Compare Colorado to U.S.

Colorado Health Care Social Workers earn an average of $58,450 which is 6% less than the national average salary of $62,310.

TypeColoradoU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$28.10$29.96-6.21%
Average Annual Salary$58,450$62,310-6.19%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In Colorado, 50% of Health Care Social Workers earn between $46,770 and $70,350 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Health Care Social Workers earn more than $79,460, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Health Care Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Health Care Social Workers earn under $37,020, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Health Care Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year338Under $37,020
15%2 – 4 years507$37,020 – $46,770
25%5 – 9 years845$46,770 – $58,750
25%10 – 14 years845$58,750 – $70,350
15%15 – 20 years507$58,750 – $79,460
10%20+ years338Above $79,460
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Health Care Social Workers in Colorado psychologists earn about $56,819 per year which is more than the average U.S. psychologist of $62,310.

Cost-of-living in Colorado is 3% higher than the national average, which means Colorado residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.

  • National average salary for Health Care Social Workers is $62,310.
  • Average Colorado Health Care Social Workers salary is $58,450.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, Colorado Health Care Social Workers earn an average salary of $56,819.

More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $58,450, Colorado Health Care Social Workers tend to earn less than School Psychologists ($103,240), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($86,760), Psychology Teachers ($74,040), Marriage and Family Therapists ($73,040), and Social Workers ($59,790).

However, Health Care Social Workers tend to earn more than Substance Abuse Counselors ($57,900).

TitleAnnual Salary
School Psychologists$103,240
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$86,760
Psychology Teachers$74,040
Marriage and Family Therapists$73,040
Social Workers$59,790
Health Care Social Workers$58,450
Substance Abuse Counselors$57,900
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Projected Demand for Psychologists in 2030

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in Colorado the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (12,290), Social Workers (8,840) and Health Care Social Workers (4,180).

The three professions in Colorado needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Marriage and Family Therapists (38.4%), Substance Abuse Counselors (35.7%) and Health Care Social Workers (33.1%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Substance Abuse Counselors9,06012,29035.7%1,260
Social Workers7,3208,84020.8%840
Health Care Social Workers3,1404,18033.1%420
Marriage and Family Therapists8601,19038.4%120
Psychology Teachers67085026.9%70
Forensic Psychologists4404706.8%30
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by Colorado Cities

The average salary for Health Care Social Workers in Colorado is $58,450. The top cities that pay Health Care Social Workers the most are Denver-Aurora-Lakewood ($60,480), Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area ($58,990) and Fort Collins ($58,630).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Health Care Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area ($61,705), Fort Collins ($58,548) and Colorado Springs ($58,415).

The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Health Care Social Workers in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.

The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Health Care Social Workers salary will have in that area.

AreaAverage SalaryCOL AdjustedDifference
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood$60,480$56,371$-4,109
Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area$58,990$61,705$2,715
Fort Collins$58,630$58,548$-82
Boulder$57,680$56,229$-1,451
Colorado Springs$57,200$58,415$1,215
Grand Junction$55,280$58,361$3,081
Southwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area$54,120$56,611$2,491
Greeley$52,660$53,538$878
Pueblo$50,750$56,245$5,495
Eastern and Southern Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area$47,540$49,728$2,188
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for Colorado Health Care Social Workers

Colorado Health Care Social Workers earn between $37,020 and $79,460 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 3,380 Health Care Social Workers employed in Colorado which is about 2% of the U.S. total.

School Psychologists are the highest paid psychologists in Colorado with an average annual wage of $103,240.

An entry level psychologist makes as much as $37,020 a year in Colorado

The most Health Care Social Workers work in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area where 2,000 Health Care Social Workers are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Health Care Social Workers in Colorado earn 56,819 per year, while the average across the United States earns $62,310.

By 2030, Colorado will need 4,180 Health Care Social Workers. A total of 420 Health Care Social Workers will need to enter into the Colorado work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Boulder

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $57,680
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $56,229
Hourly Wage: $27.73
Currently Employed: 130
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.58
Boulder Salary Report

Colorado Springs

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $57,200
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $58,415
Hourly Wage: $28
Currently Employed: 400
Cost-of-Living Index: 97.92
Colorado Springs Salary Report

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $60,480
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $56,371
Hourly Wage: $29.08
Currently Employed: 2,000
Cost-of-Living Index: 107.29
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Salary Report

Eastern and Southern Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $47,540
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $49,728
Hourly Wage: $23
Currently Employed: 90
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.60
Eastern and Southern Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Fort Collins

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $58,630
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $58,548
Hourly Wage: $28.19
Currently Employed: 210
Cost-of-Living Index: 100.14
Fort Collins Salary Report

Grand Junction

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $55,280
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $58,361
Hourly Wage: $27
Currently Employed: 60
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.72
Grand Junction Salary Report

Greeley

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $52,660
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $53,538
Hourly Wage: $25.32
Currently Employed: 130
Cost-of-Living Index: 98.36
Greeley Salary Report

Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $58,990
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $61,705
Hourly Wage: $28
Currently Employed: 110
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.60
Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Pueblo

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $50,750
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $56,245
Hourly Wage: $24.40
Currently Employed: 110
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.23
Pueblo Salary Report

Southwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Health Care Social Workers Salary: $54,120
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $56,611
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 140
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.60
Southwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

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