Salary Report for North Carolina Social Workers
North Carolina Rankings
Compare North Carolina to U.S.
North Carolina Social Workers earn an average of $51,060 which is 6% less than the national average salary of $54,880.
Type | North Carolina | U.S. | % Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Average Hourly Wage | $24.55 | $26.39 | -6.97% |
Average Annual Salary | $51,060 | $54,880 | -6.96% |
Salary Range by Education and Experience
In North Carolina, 50% of Social Workers earn between $39,460 and $60,080 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.
About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $64,170, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Social Workers.
Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $36,850, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.
Percent | Experience | Employed | Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|
10% | Less than a Year | 1,130 | Under $36,850 |
15% | 2 – 4 years | 1,695 | $36,850 – $39,460 |
25% | 5 – 9 years | 2,825 | $39,460 – $48,970 |
25% | 10 – 14 years | 2,825 | $48,970 – $60,080 |
15% | 15 – 20 years | 1,695 | $48,970 – $64,170 |
10% | 20+ years | 1,130 | Above $64,170 |
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living
After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in North Carolina psychologists earn about $55,597 per year which is less than the average U.S. psychologist of $54,880.
Cost-of-living in North Carolina is 8% less than the national average, which means North Carolina 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 $51,060, North Carolina Social Workers tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($94,480), Forensic Psychologists ($87,210), Psychology Teachers ($80,960), School Psychologists ($65,110), Health Care Social Workers ($62,540), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($52,850).
However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($46,900).
Title | Annual Salary |
---|---|
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $94,480 |
Forensic Psychologists | $87,210 |
Psychology Teachers | $80,960 |
School Psychologists | $65,110 |
Health Care Social Workers | $62,540 |
Substance Abuse Counselors | $52,850 |
Social Workers | $51,060 |
Marriage and Family Therapists | $46,900 |
Projected Demand for Psychologists in 2030
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in North Carolina the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Social Workers (14,160), Substance Abuse Counselors (11,610) and Health Care Social Workers (3,600).
The three professions in North Carolina needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Marriage and Family Therapists (24.4%), Substance Abuse Counselors (23.9%) and Social Workers (13.9%).
Title | 2020 | 2030 | Change | Yearly Openings |
---|---|---|---|---|
Social Workers | 12,430 | 14,160 | 13.9% | 1,390 |
Substance Abuse Counselors | 9,370 | 11,610 | 23.9% | 1,190 |
Health Care Social Workers | 3,170 | 3,600 | 13.6% | 350 |
Forensic Psychologists | 1,800 | 1,960 | 8.9% | 140 |
Psychology Teachers | 1,040 | 1,140 | 9.6% | 110 |
Marriage and Family Therapists | 450 | 560 | 24.4% | 60 |
Industrial Organizational Psychologists | 190 | 200 | 5.3% | 20 |
Salaries Ranked by North Carolina Cities
The average salary for Social Workers in North Carolina is $51,060. The top cities that pay Social Workers the most are Durham-Chapel Hill ($60,400), Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia ($53,420) and Wilmington ($53,380).
When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Durham-Chapel Hill ($64,372), Jacksonville ($57,708) and Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia ($56,481).
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.
Area | Average Salary | COL Adjusted | Difference |
---|---|---|---|
Durham-Chapel Hill | $60,400 | $64,372 | $3,972 |
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $53,420 | $56,481 | $3,061 |
Wilmington | $53,380 | $55,919 | $2,539 |
Raleigh | $52,760 | $55,154 | $2,394 |
Jacksonville | $52,370 | $57,708 | $5,338 |
Greensboro-High Point | $50,290 | $55,631 | $5,341 |
Winston-Salem | $49,030 | $55,078 | $6,048 |
Greenville | $48,870 | $54,024 | $5,154 |
Asheville | $48,640 | $52,818 | $4,178 |
Southeast Coastal North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area | $48,270 | $55,849 | $7,579 |
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | $48,060 | $54,825 | $6,765 |
Fayetteville | $47,850 | $53,285 | $5,435 |
Goldsboro | $47,790 | $53,606 | $5,816 |
Burlington | $47,760 | $52,885 | $5,125 |
Piedmont North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area | $47,090 | $54,483 | $7,393 |
Mountain North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area | $46,940 | $54,310 | $7,370 |
Northeast Coastal North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area | $46,310 | $53,581 | $7,271 |
Rocky Mount | $43,760 | $51,634 | $7,874 |
New Bern | $42,430 | $47,471 | $5,041 |
Salary FAQ for North Carolina Social Workers
City and Rural Summaries
Asheville
Average Social Workers Salary: $48,640
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $52,818
Hourly Wage: $23.38
Currently Employed: 600
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.09
Asheville Salary Report
Burlington
Average Social Workers Salary: $47,760
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $52,885
Hourly Wage: $23
Currently Employed: 180
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.31
Burlington Salary Report
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia
Average Social Workers Salary: $53,420
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $56,481
Hourly Wage: $25.68
Currently Employed: 2,500
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.58
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia Salary Report
Durham-Chapel Hill
Average Social Workers Salary: $60,400
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $64,372
Hourly Wage: $29
Currently Employed: 800
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.83
Durham-Chapel Hill Salary Report
Fayetteville
Average Social Workers Salary: $47,850
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $53,285
Hourly Wage: $23.01
Currently Employed: 380
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.80
Fayetteville Salary Report
Goldsboro
Average Social Workers Salary: $47,790
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $53,606
Hourly Wage: $23
Currently Employed: 110
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.15
Goldsboro Salary Report
Greensboro-High Point
Average Social Workers Salary: $50,290
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $55,631
Hourly Wage: $24.18
Currently Employed: 830
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.40
Greensboro-High Point Salary Report
Greenville
Average Social Workers Salary: $48,870
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $54,024
Hourly Wage: $23
Currently Employed: 260
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.46
Greenville Salary Report
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton
Average Social Workers Salary: $48,060
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $54,825
Hourly Wage: $23.11
Currently Employed: 510
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.66
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Salary Report
Jacksonville
Average Social Workers Salary: $52,370
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $57,708
Hourly Wage: $25
Currently Employed: 180
Cost-of-Living Index: 90.75
Jacksonville Salary Report
Mountain North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Social Workers Salary: $46,940
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $54,310
Hourly Wage: $22.57
Currently Employed: 450
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.43
Mountain North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
New Bern
Average Social Workers Salary: $42,430
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $47,471
Hourly Wage: $20
Currently Employed: 100
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.38
New Bern Salary Report
Northeast Coastal North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Social Workers Salary: $46,310
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $53,581
Hourly Wage: $22.26
Currently Employed: 270
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.43
Northeast Coastal North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Piedmont North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Social Workers Salary: $47,090
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $54,483
Hourly Wage: $23
Currently Employed: 680
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.43
Piedmont North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Raleigh
Average Social Workers Salary: $52,760
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $55,154
Hourly Wage: $25.37
Currently Employed: 1,320
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.66
Raleigh Salary Report
Rocky Mount
Average Social Workers Salary: $43,760
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $51,634
Hourly Wage: $21
Currently Employed: 180
Cost-of-Living Index: 84.75
Rocky Mount Salary Report
Southeast Coastal North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Social Workers Salary: $48,270
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $55,849
Hourly Wage: $23.21
Currently Employed: 1,020
Cost-of-Living Index: 86.43
Southeast Coastal North Carolina Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Wilmington
Average Social Workers Salary: $53,380
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $55,919
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 470
Cost-of-Living Index: 95.46
Wilmington Salary Report
Winston-Salem
Average Social Workers Salary: $49,030
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $55,078
Hourly Wage: $23.57
Currently Employed: 590
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.02
Winston-Salem Salary Report
Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data