As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Clinical Social Worker - LCSW in the United States is $77,900. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $69,100 to $87,500, with most professionals earning between $61,088 and $96,240.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $87,500 | $7,292 | $1,683 | $42 |
| Average | $77,900 | $6,492 | $1,498 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,100 | $5,758 | $1,329 | $33 |
An entry-level Clinical Social Worker - LCSW with less than 1 year of experience earns about $73,960. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $74,616. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $78,616. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $82,628, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $83,345.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Clinical Social Worker - LCSW | $73,960 |
| Intermediate Level Clinical Social Worker - LCSW | $74,616 |
| Senior Level Clinical Social Worker - LCSW | $78,616 |
| Specialist Level Clinical Social Worker - LCSW | $82,628 |
| Expert Level Clinical Social Worker - LCSW | $83,345 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 6% |
| Experienced | 7% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Clinical Social Worker - LCSW compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $87,342 in 2023 to approximately $87,502 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Clinical Social Worker - LCSW salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Clinical Social Worker - LCSW information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Clinical Social Worker - LCSW job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Clinical Social Worker - LCSW and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $77,900 | 71.8% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $5,959 | 5.5% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,817 | 3.5% | ||
| Disability | $1,246 | 1.1% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 5.9% | ||
| Pension | $3,272 | 3.0% | ||
| Time Off | $9,887 | 9.1% | ||
| Total Compensation | $108,453 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| High School | 0.5% |
| Associates | 1.6% |
| Bachelors | 1.9% |
| Masters | 94.5% |
| Doctorate | 1.4% |
What Am I Worth?
Yes, you can make good money as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The salary range typically falls between $76,200 and $90,700, with a median salary of around $82,800. Higher-paying states often have a greater demand for mental health services and a higher cost of living, contributing to these competitive salaries.
To make $100,000 as a social worker, consider specializing in clinical social work, which typically offers higher salaries. The salary range for Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) is between $76,200 and $90,700, with the median at $82,800. Pursuing roles in hospitals, insurance companies, or government agencies can help you reach or exceed your financial goals.
As of 2022, Rhode Island offers competitive salaries for LCSWs, with a range from $76,200 to $90,700 annually. The average salary is around $82,800, making it one of the top-paying states for clinical social workers. Other high-paying states include Washington, Oklahoma, the District of Columbia, and Kansas.
Clinical social workers specialize in assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness and emotional disturbances. They often provide individual, group, and family therapy. In terms of compensation, salaries typically range from $76,200 to $90,700, with a median salary of $82,800, reflecting the important role they play in mental health care.
LCSWs in the US typically earn between $76,200 and $90,700 annually. The average salary is approximately $82,800, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the earning potential for Clinical Social Workers across the country.
Being a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) can be quite stressful due to the demands of the job, including client advocacy, administrative tasks, and community pressures. Despite the challenges, LCSWs earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $76,200, a mid-range of $82,800, and a maximum of $90,700, which can help mitigate some stressors associated with the profession.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
