Salary Report for Connecticut Social Workers

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Connecticut is 5,420.
  • Social Workers in Connecticut earn an average of $70,690 per year or $33.99 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Connecticut is 2%.
  • Connecticut will need 5,940 new Social Workers by 2030 or 560 new psychologists per year.

Connecticut Rankings

  • Connecticut ranks #2 in the U.S. for Social Workers salary and #10 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Connecticut ranks #22 in the U.S. for the total number of Social Workers employed.
  • Connecticut ranks #22 in U.S. for the number of new Social Workers needed by 2030.
  • Connecticut ranks #45 in U.S. for the percentage of new Social Workers needed by 2030.

Compare Connecticut to U.S.

Connecticut Social Workers earn an average of $70,690 which is 28% more than the national average salary of $54,880.

TypeConnecticutU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$33.99$26.3928.80%
Average Annual Salary$70,690$54,88028.81%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In Connecticut, 50% of Social Workers earn between $49,800 and $91,050 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $97,760, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $39,000, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year542Under $39,000
15%2 – 4 years813$39,000 – $49,800
25%5 – 9 years1,355$49,800 – $74,140
25%10 – 14 years1,355$74,140 – $91,050
15%15 – 20 years813$74,140 – $97,760
10%20+ years542Above $97,760
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 Connecticut psychologists earn about $68,339 per year which is more than the average U.S. psychologist of $54,880.

Cost-of-living in Connecticut is 3% higher than the national average, which means Connecticut 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 Connecticut Social Workers salary is $70,690.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, Connecticut Social Workers earn an average salary of $68,339.

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

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $70,690, Connecticut Social Workers tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($116,740), Forensic Psychologists ($103,220), Psychology Teachers ($90,840), School Psychologists ($90,620), and Health Care Social Workers ($72,010).

However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Substance Abuse Counselors ($56,230), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($64,190).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$116,740
Forensic Psychologists$103,220
Psychology Teachers$90,840
School Psychologists$90,620
Health Care Social Workers$72,010
Social Workers$70,690
Marriage and Family Therapists$64,190
Substance Abuse Counselors$56,230
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 Connecticut the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (5,970), Social Workers (5,940) and Health Care Social Workers (2,300).

The three professions in Connecticut needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (19.6%), Forensic Psychologists (10.7%) and Psychology Teachers (9.8%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Social Workers5,6705,9404.8%560
Substance Abuse Counselors4,9905,97019.6%600
Health Care Social Workers2,2102,3004.1%210
Psychology Teachers1,0201,1209.8%110
Forensic Psychologists56062010.7%40
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by Connecticut Cities

The average salary for Social Workers in Connecticut is $70,690. The top cities that pay Social Workers the most are Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk ($73,750), Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford ($73,010) and Connecticut Nonmetropolitan Area ($72,100).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk ($72,007), Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford ($71,285) and Connecticut Nonmetropolitan Area ($70,396).

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
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk$73,750$72,007$-1,743
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford$73,010$71,285$-1,725
Connecticut Nonmetropolitan Area$72,100$70,396$-1,704
Norwich-New London-Westerly$67,590$65,993$-1,597
Waterbury$66,250$64,685$-1,565
Danbury$66,010$64,450$-1,560
New Haven$65,310$63,767$-1,543
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for Connecticut Social Workers

Connecticut Social Workers earn between $39,000 and $97,760 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 5,420 Social Workers employed in Connecticut which is about 2% of the U.S. total.

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are the highest paid psychologists in Connecticut with an average annual wage of $116,740.

An entry level psychologist makes as much as $39,000 a year in Connecticut

The most Social Workers work in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford area where 2,120 Social Workers are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Connecticut earn 68,339 per year, while the average across the United States earns $54,880.

By 2030, Connecticut will need 5,940 Social Workers. A total of 560 Social Workers will need to enter into the Connecticut work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk

Average Social Workers Salary: $73,750
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $72,007
Hourly Wage: $35.46
Currently Employed: 1,160
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk Salary Report

Connecticut Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $72,100
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $70,396
Hourly Wage: $35
Currently Employed: 140
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
Connecticut Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Danbury

Average Social Workers Salary: $66,010
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $64,450
Hourly Wage: $31.73
Currently Employed: 290
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
Danbury Salary Report

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford

Average Social Workers Salary: $73,010
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $71,285
Hourly Wage: $35
Currently Employed: 2,120
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford Salary Report

New Haven

Average Social Workers Salary: $65,310
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $63,767
Hourly Wage: $31.40
Currently Employed: 770
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
New Haven Salary Report

Norwich-New London-Westerly

Average Social Workers Salary: $67,590
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $65,993
Hourly Wage: $33
Currently Employed: 350
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
Norwich-New London-Westerly Salary Report

Waterbury

Average Social Workers Salary: $66,250
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $64,685
Hourly Wage: $31.85
Currently Employed: 440
Cost-of-Living Index: 102.42
Waterbury Salary Report

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