2023 Salary Report for Health Care Social Workers in Kentucky

Salary Report for Kentucky Health Care Social Workers

Kentucky Rankings

Compare Kentucky to U.S.

Kentucky Health Care Social Workers earn an average of $55,540 which is 10% less than the national average salary of $62,310.

Type	Kentucky	U.S.	% Difference
Average Hourly Wage	$26.70	$29.96	-10.88%
Average Annual Salary	$55,540	$62,310	-10.87%

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In Kentucky, 50% of Health Care Social Workers earn between $47,040 and $62,970 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 $77,390, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Health Care Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Health Care Social Workers earn under $37,080, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Health Care Social Workers.

Percent	Experience	Employed	Annual Salary
10%	Less than a Year	164	Under $37,080
15%	2 – 4 years	246	$37,080 – $47,040
25%	5 – 9 years	410	$47,040 – $58,750
25%	10 – 14 years	410	$58,750 – $62,970
15%	15 – 20 years	246	$58,750 – $77,390
10%	20+ years	164	Above $77,390

Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Health Care Social Workers in Kentucky psychologists earn about $61,862 per year which is less than the average U.S. psychologist of $62,310.

Cost-of-living in Kentucky is 10% less than the national average, which means Kentucky residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.

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

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $55,540, Kentucky Health Care Social Workers tend to earn less than Forensic Psychologists ($97,370), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($96,290), School Psychologists ($67,930), Psychology Teachers ($63,940), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($57,210).

However, Health Care Social Workers tend to earn more than Social Workers ($43,440), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($45,310).

Title	Annual Salary
Forensic Psychologists	$97,370
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$96,290
School Psychologists	$67,930
Psychology Teachers	$63,940
Marriage and Family Therapists	$57,210
Health Care Social Workers	$55,540
Substance Abuse Counselors	$45,310
Social Workers	$43,440

Projected Demand for Psychologists in 2030

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in Kentucky the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Social Workers (7,140), Substance Abuse Counselors (5,160) and Health Care Social Workers (1,820).

The three professions in Kentucky needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (25.9%), Marriage and Family Therapists (16.7%) and Health Care Social Workers (10.3%).

Title	2020	2030	Change	Yearly Openings
Social Workers	6,890	7,140	3.6%	670
Substance Abuse Counselors	4,100	5,160	25.9%	530
Health Care Social Workers	1,650	1,820	10.3%	180
Forensic Psychologists	610	600	-1.6%	40
Marriage and Family Therapists	480	560	16.7%	60
Psychology Teachers	420	450	7.1%	40
Industrial Organizational Psychologists	120	130	8.3%	10

Salaries Ranked by Kentucky Cities

The average salary for Health Care Social Workers in Kentucky is $55,540. The top cities that pay Health Care Social Workers the most are Lexington-Fayette ($59,910), Louisville/Jefferson County ($58,080) and Owensboro ($53,340).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Health Care Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Lexington-Fayette ($64,316), Louisville/Jefferson County ($63,192) and Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area ($61,393).

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.

Area	Average Salary	COL Adjusted	Difference
Lexington-Fayette	$59,910	$64,316	$4,406
Louisville/Jefferson County	$58,080	$63,192	$5,112
Owensboro	$53,340	$59,161	$5,821
Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area	$52,810	$61,393	$8,583
Bowling Green	$52,160	$58,443	$6,283
South Central Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area	$51,860	$60,288	$8,428
West Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area	$51,730	$60,137	$8,407
East Kentucky Nonmetropolitan Area	$47,890	$55,673	$7,783

Salary FAQ for Kentucky Health Care Social Workers

City and Rural Summaries

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