Child, Family, and School Social Workers Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Child, Family, and School Social Workers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA make a median of $78,700 a year, or about $37.84 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $126K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $71,273 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 67.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $79K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About child, family, and school social workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level child, family, and school social workers (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K.Top earners bring in $126K or more - a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $79K | +35% | 5,360 |
| District of Columbia | $79K | +35% | 2,800 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +33% | 6,410 |
| Washington | $72K | +23% | 10,570 |
| Maryland | $71K | +21% | 5,030 |
| California | $69K | +18% | 55,220 |
| Massachusetts | $68K | +16% | 9,830 |
| Rhode Island | $67K | +15% | 2,320 |
| North Dakota | $67K | +14% | 780 |
| Hawaii | $66K | +13% | 1,080 |
| New York | $65K | +12% | 27,220 |
| Vermont | $65K | +12% | 540 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +11% | 6,430 |
| New Hampshire | $65K | +10% | 1,130 |
| Oregon | $63K | +7% | 6,260 |
Track child, family, and school social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do child, family, and school social workers make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $78,700 a year - that works out to about $37.84 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,890, and experienced child, family, and school social workers can clear $125,840. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,025/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 69.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a child, family, and school social workers salary go in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median child, family, and school social workers salary is worth about $71,273 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do child, family, and school social workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.