Child, Family, and School Social Workers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Child, Family, and School Social Workers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $75,780 a year, or about $36.43 an hour. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $111K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $69,600 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 45.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $76K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About child, family, and school social workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level child, family, and school social workers (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K.Top earners bring in $111K or more - a $62K 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do child, family, and school social workers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $75,780 a year - that works out to about $36.43 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,270, and experienced child, family, and school social workers can clear $111,280. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,841/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46.4% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $69,600 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.