SOC 21-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Healthcare Social Workers — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 10 metro areas compared
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers is $82,630 a year, which is 21.7% higher than the national figure of $67,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In San Diego, CA the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers is $82,630 a year, which is 21.7% higher than the national figure of $67,880. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $61,650 and $105,120. The lowest tenth earn under $50,870, while the highest tenth earn more than $125,750.
The area has 1,440 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Napa records the highest median at $142,940. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 240th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,870 | −25.1% |
| 25th | $61,650 | −9.2% |
| Median (50th) | $82,630 | +21.7% |
| 75th | $105,120 | +54.9% |
| 90th | $125,750 | +85.3% |
| Mean | $85,950 | +26.6% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napa | $142,940 | 160 | |
| 2 | San Luis Obispo | $133,340 | 170 | |
| 3 | Vallejo | $122,450 | 160 | |
| 4 | Santa Rosa | $108,530 | 280 | |
| 5 | San Jose | $107,170 | 770 | |
| 6 | San Francisco | $99,640 | 2,740 | |
| 7 | Sacramento | $97,070 | 1,030 | |
| 8 | Visalia | $96,790 | 190 | |
| 9 | Modesto | $95,250 | 220 | |
| 10 | Santa Maria | $93,200 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $82,630 buys what $74,643 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$82,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,643US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $82,630 a year, 21.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,870 to $125,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,440 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Napa, at $142,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $82,630, or $39.72 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 San Diego, CA is 21.7% 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 San Diego, CA earns more than $125,750 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,870 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 Napa, at $142,940 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,440 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. 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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