SOC 21-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Healthcare Social Workers — San Jose
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in San Jose, CA is $107,170 per year, well above the national median of $67,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in San Jose, CA is $107,170 per year, well above the national median of $67,880. The gap of 57.9% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $79,550 and $132,020. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $66,210 and the ninetieth at $156,940.
The area has 770 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.7 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Napa records the highest median at $142,940. Of the 574 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 189th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $66,210 | −2.5% |
| 25th | $79,550 | +17.2% |
| Median (50th) | $107,170 | +57.9% |
| 75th | $132,020 | +94.5% |
| 90th | $156,940 | +131.2% |
| Mean | $108,280 | +59.5% |
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 Francisco | $99,640 | 2,740 | |
| 6 | Sacramento | $97,070 | 1,030 | |
| 7 | Visalia | $96,790 | 190 | |
| 8 | Modesto | $95,250 | 220 | |
| 9 | Santa Maria | $93,200 | 150 | |
| 10 | Salinas | $92,540 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Jose run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $107,170 buys what $96,811 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 42.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$107,170as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$96,811US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $107,170 a year, 57.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $66,210 to $156,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 770 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 Jose, CA?
The median annual wage is $107,170, or $51.52 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 Jose, CA is 57.9% 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 San Jose, CA earns more than $156,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $66,210 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 770 jobs in this occupation in San Jose, 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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