SOC 21-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Healthcare Social Workers — Houston
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Houston, TX is $71,900 per year, close to the national median of $67,880 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Houston, TX is $71,900 per year, close to the national median of $67,880 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $52,950 and $81,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,400 and the ninetieth at $100,490.
The area has 2,660 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Odessa records the highest median at $81,310. Of the 699 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 250th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,400 | −31.6% |
| 25th | $52,950 | −22.0% |
| Median (50th) | $71,900 | +5.9% |
| 75th | $81,600 | +20.2% |
| 90th | $100,490 | +48.0% |
| Mean | $71,320 | +5.1% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odessa | $81,310 | 40 | |
| 2 | Midland | $78,900 | 30 | |
| 3 | Austin | $76,020 | 1,010 | |
| 4 | Dallas | $75,930 | 2,630 | |
| 5 | San Angelo | $73,410 | 80 | |
| 6 | College Station | $71,670 | 70 | |
| 7 | Texarkana | $70,390 | 40 | |
| 8 | Waco | $68,960 | 120 | |
| 9 | Lubbock | $67,930 | 160 | |
| 10 | San Antonio | $67,860 | 1,130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Houston run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $71,900 goes as far as $74,047 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$71,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,047US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $71,900 a year, 5.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,400 to $100,490 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,660 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Odessa, at $81,310.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Houston, TX?
The median annual wage is $71,900, or $34.57 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 $67,880, so pay in Houston, TX is 5.9% higher. 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 Houston, TX earns more than $100,490 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,400 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 Odessa, at $81,310 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,660 jobs in this occupation in Houston, TX. 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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