Healthcare Social Workers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, healthcare social workers earn $78,010 at the median — $37.51 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $71,648 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 44.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About healthcare social workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level healthcare social workers (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $106K or more - a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Healthcare Social Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $93K | +37% | 19,680 |
| District of Columbia | $93K | +36% | 490 |
| Oregon | $85K | +25% | 2,050 |
| Hawaii | $85K | +24% | 680 |
| Connecticut | $82K | +20% | 2,010 |
| New Jersey | $82K | +20% | 4,390 |
| Rhode Island | $79K | +17% | 570 |
| Vermont | $78K | +15% | 300 |
| New Hampshire | $78K | +15% | 530 |
| Alaska | $78K | +15% | 290 |
| Nevada | $76K | +12% | 1,070 |
| Washington | $76K | +11% | 4,970 |
| Maine | $73K | +7% | 590 |
| Utah | $72K | +6% | 1,930 |
| Minnesota | $72K | +6% | 2,530 |
Track healthcare 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 healthcare social workers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $78,010 a year - that works out to about $37.51 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,500, and experienced healthcare social workers can clear $105,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,956/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 45.3% 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 healthcare 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 healthcare social workers salary is worth about $71,648 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do healthcare 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.