Salary Report for Colorado Social Workers

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Colorado is 6,820.
  • Social Workers in Colorado earn an average of $59,790 per year or $28.75 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Colorado is 2%.
  • Colorado will need 8,840 new Social Workers by 2030 or 840 new psychologists per year.

Colorado Rankings

  • Colorado ranks #13 in the U.S. for Social Workers salary and #12 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Colorado ranks #17 in the U.S. for the total number of Social Workers employed.
  • Colorado ranks #15 in U.S. for the number of new Social Workers needed by 2030.
  • Colorado ranks #4 in U.S. for the percentage of new Social Workers needed by 2030.

Compare Colorado to U.S.

Colorado Social Workers earn an average of $59,790 which is 8% more than the national average salary of $54,880.

TypeColoradoU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$28.75$26.398.94%
Average Annual Salary$59,790$54,8808.95%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In Colorado, 50% of Social Workers earn between $47,310 and $71,810 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $80,540, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $37,890, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year682Under $37,890
15%2 – 4 years1,023$37,890 – $47,310
25%5 – 9 years1,705$47,310 – $60,040
25%10 – 14 years1,705$60,040 – $71,810
15%15 – 20 years1,023$60,040 – $80,540
10%20+ years682Above $80,540
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, Social Workers in Colorado psychologists earn about $58,122 per year which is more than the average U.S. psychologist of $54,880.

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 Social Workers is $54,880.
  • Average Colorado Social Workers salary is $59,790.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, Colorado Social Workers earn an average salary of $58,122.

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

Salary Compared to Related Professions

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

However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Substance Abuse Counselors ($57,900), and Health Care Social Workers ($58,450).

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 Social Workers in Colorado is $59,790. The top cities that pay Social Workers the most are Greeley ($63,660), Denver-Aurora-Lakewood ($63,170) and Boulder ($62,660).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Greeley ($64,721), Boulder ($61,084) and Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area ($60,513).

The following table shows the average yearly salary range for 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 Social Workers salary will have in that area.

AreaAverage SalaryCOL AdjustedDifference
Greeley$63,660$64,721$1,061
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood$63,170$58,878$-4,292
Boulder$62,660$61,084$-1,576
Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area$57,850$60,513$2,663
Colorado Springs$57,330$58,548$1,218
Fort Collins$55,800$55,722$-78
Grand Junction$53,700$56,693$2,993
Southwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area$53,600$56,067$2,467
Pueblo$47,320$52,444$5,124
Eastern and Southern Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area$46,510$48,651$2,141
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for Colorado Social Workers

Colorado Social Workers earn between $37,890 and $80,540 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 6,820 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 $37,890 a year in Colorado

The most Social Workers work in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area where 3,550 Social Workers are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Colorado earn 58,122 per year, while the average across the United States earns $54,880.

By 2030, Colorado will need 8,840 Social Workers. A total of 840 Social Workers will need to enter into the Colorado work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Boulder

Average Social Workers Salary: $62,660
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $61,084
Hourly Wage: $30.12
Currently Employed: 530
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.58
Boulder Salary Report

Colorado Springs

Average Social Workers Salary: $57,330
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $58,548
Hourly Wage: $28
Currently Employed: 800
Cost-of-Living Index: 97.92
Colorado Springs Salary Report

Denver-Aurora-Lakewood

Average Social Workers Salary: $63,170
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $58,878
Hourly Wage: $30.37
Currently Employed: 3,550
Cost-of-Living Index: 107.29
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Salary Report

Eastern and Southern Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $46,510
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $48,651
Hourly Wage: $22
Currently Employed: 380
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.60
Eastern and Southern Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Fort Collins

Average Social Workers Salary: $55,800
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $55,722
Hourly Wage: $26.83
Currently Employed: 420
Cost-of-Living Index: 100.14
Fort Collins Salary Report

Grand Junction

Average Social Workers Salary: $53,700
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $56,693
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 100
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.72
Grand Junction Salary Report

Greeley

Average Social Workers Salary: $63,660
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $64,721
Hourly Wage: $30.61
Currently Employed: 260
Cost-of-Living Index: 98.36
Greeley Salary Report

Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $57,850
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $60,513
Hourly Wage: $28
Currently Employed: 260
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.60
Northwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Pueblo

Average Social Workers Salary: $47,320
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $52,444
Hourly Wage: $22.75
Currently Employed: 230
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.23
Pueblo Salary Report

Southwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $53,600
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $56,067
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 290
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.60
Southwest Colorado Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

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