Social Work
Public Administration & Social Service
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate's Degree | $40,502 | $36,236 to $44,050 | 36 | 81% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $51,034 | $47,196 to $55,942 | 449 | 98% |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | $49,884 | $47,162 to $54,127 | 5 | 100% |
| Master's Degree | $62,344 | $58,558 to $67,978 | 292 | 100% |
| Doctoral Degree | $101,907 | $92,382 to $109,386 | 7 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +6% (2023 to 2033), about 116,900 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $53,940 | +3.4% | 35,100 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $77,030 | +6.4% | 18,600 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $62,940 | +7.7% | 18,400 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $55,960 | +9.7% | 13,500 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,800 | +2.6% | 7,900 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $58,510 | +12.6% | 7,700 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.