Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Health Care Social Workers currently employed in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 2,010.
  • Health Care Social Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria earn an average of $70,730 per year or $34.01 per hour.
  • The percentage of District of Columbia Health Care Social Workers who work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 500%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Health Care Social Workers who work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 1%.

Rankings for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

  • Ranks #1 in District of Columbia for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in District of Columbia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #45 in the nation for salary and #8 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #17 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to District of Columbia

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Health Care Social Workers earn an average of $70,730 or $34.01 per hour which is 18% less than the District of Columbia average salary of $87,000.

AverageWashington-Arlington-AlexandriaDistrict of Columbia% Difference
Hourly Wage$34.01$41.83-18.69%
Annual Salary$70,730$87,000-18.70%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Health Care Social Workers earn an average of $70,730 or $34.01 per hour which is 13% more than the U.S. average salary of $62,310.

AverageWashington-Arlington-AlexandriaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$34.01$29.9613.52%
Annual Salary$70,730$62,31013.51%
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, Health Care Social Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria earns an average annual salary of $63,418 which compares to the District of Columbia average annual salary of $87,000. per year.

Cost-of-living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 12% higher than the District of Columbia average, which means Washington-Arlington-Alexandria residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to District of Columbia average.

  • District of Columbia average salary is $87,000.
  • District of Columbia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $78,055.
  • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria average salary is $70,730.
  • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria cost-of-living adjusted salary is $63,418.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria$70,730111.53%$63,418
District of Columbia$87,000111.46%$78,055
U.S.$62,310$62,310
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, 50% of Health Care Social Workers earn between $56,700 and $81,180 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 $98,520, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Health Care Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Health Care Social Workers earn under $44,950, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Health Care Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year201Under $44,950
15%2 – 4 years302$44,950 – $56,700
25%5 – 9 years502$56,700 – $70,040
25%10 – 14 years502$70,040 – $81,180
15%15 – 20 years302$70,040 – $98,520
10%20+ years201Above $98,520
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 $70,730, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Health Care Social Workers tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($111,920), Forensic Psychologists ($110,250), School Psychologists ($98,160), Psychology Teachers ($97,620), and Social Workers ($70,910).

However, Health Care Social Workers tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($57,320), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($62,510).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$111,920
Forensic Psychologists$110,250
School Psychologists$98,160
Psychology Teachers$97,620
Social Workers$70,910
Health Care Social Workers$70,730
Substance Abuse Counselors$62,510
Marriage and Family Therapists$57,320
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Health Care Social Workers

The number of Health Care Social Workers currently employed in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria is 2,010.

Health Care Social Workers earn an average of $70,730 per year or $34.01 per hour in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Health Care Social Workers earn an average of $63,418 per year or $30 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($111,920), Forensic Psychologists($110,250), School Psychologists($98,160).


Additional Salary Reports for Health Care Social Workers in District of Columbia cities and Metros and U.S. States.

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