SOC 21-1021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Child, Family, and School Social Workers — Lakeland
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Lakeland, FL is $53,800 a year, trailing the national median of $59,550 by 9.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Lakeland, FL is $53,800 a year, trailing the national median of $59,550 by 9.7%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $46,040 and $59,740. The lowest tenth earn under $37,660, while the highest tenth earn more than $74,710.
The area has 510 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Homosassa Springs records the highest median at $65,810. Of the 429 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 193rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,660 | −36.8% |
| 25th | $46,040 | −22.7% |
| Median (50th) | $53,800 | −9.7% |
| 75th | $59,740 | +0.3% |
| 90th | $74,710 | +25.5% |
| Mean | $54,160 | −9.1% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Homosassa Springs | $65,810 | 50 | |
| 2 | Miami | $59,710 | 4,460 | |
| 3 | Tampa | $58,540 | 2,160 | |
| 4 | Orlando | $56,930 | 1,460 | |
| 5 | North Port | $56,070 | 430 | |
| 6 | Cape Coral | $55,650 | 610 | |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $55,630 | 1,050 | |
| 8 | Sebastian | $55,620 | 80 | |
| 9 | Punta Gorda | $55,600 | 90 | |
| 10 | Crestview | $55,090 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lakeland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $53,800 buys what $52,031 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$53,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,031US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $53,800 a year, 9.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,660 to $74,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 510 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Homosassa Springs, at $65,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in Lakeland, FL?
The median annual wage is $53,800, or $25.86 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,550, so pay in Lakeland, FL is 9.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Lakeland, FL earns more than $74,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,660 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Homosassa Springs, at $65,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 510 jobs in this occupation in Lakeland, FL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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