How much does licensed bachelor social worker make?
The exact figures below come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021), the category this role is reported under. The spread is wide because most jobs are government or nonprofit, so pay is driven by state budgets and cost of living.
| Percentile | Annual wage | Typical context |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,280 | Entry-level; lower-wage states and small nonprofits |
| 25th | $48,270 | Early-career, smaller agencies |
| 50th (median) | $59,550 | BLS OEWS May 2025 national median |
| 75th | $76,070 | Experienced workers, higher-wage states |
| 90th | $95,530 | Supervisors, managers, and high-cost metros |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, national figures, via O*NET 21-1021.00. All percentile figures are exact BLS values.
How much do Licensed Bachelor Social Workers make by setting type?
The ranges below are estimates grounded in the BLS distribution for this category and vary with location and employer.
| Setting | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State and county human-services agencies | $45,000-$65,000 | Civil-service pay scales with step increases; pension and PSLF eligibility |
| Community and family nonprofits | $40,000-$58,000 | Often below government scales, but many qualify for PSLF as 501(c)(3) employers |
| Hospitals and health systems | $48,000-$68,000 | Care-coordination and discharge roles; clinical titles usually require an MSW |
| Schools and youth programs | $45,000-$62,000 | District pay scales; full school-social-worker certification often needs a master's |
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) salary by state
Geographic variation is among the widest factors in this field. Per BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates, the highest median wages cluster in the Northeast and on the West Coast, while the lowest are in the rural South and Mountain West.
Highest-paying states (median)
- Connecticut $78,970
- Maryland $76,390
- New Jersey $76,280
- Massachusetts $75,570
- Washington $74,480
- District of Columbia $73,550
- New Hampshire $71,010
Lowest-paying states (median)
- Nebraska $47,770
- Georgia $47,510
- Alabama $46,660
- Mississippi $46,530
- Oklahoma $43,950
- Arkansas $43,330
Find accredited programs in each state on our state-by-state BSW rankings.
Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) salary by experience
| Career stage | Typical tenure | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New LBSW | 0-2 years | $42,000-$50,000 | Entry caseworker or coordinator near the 10th-25th BLS percentile |
| Established practitioner | 2-5 years | $50,000-$62,000 | Full caseload and independent decisions, around the BLS median |
| Senior / lead | 5-8 years | $60,000-$78,000 | Complex cases and mentoring; many advance with an MSW |
| Supervisor / manager | 8+ years | $70,000-$95,000 | Toward the 90th percentile; supervisory roles usually require a master's |
What affects Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) pay most?
State and locality
Geography is the single biggest factor: the same role pays far more in the Northeast and on the West Coast than in the rural South.
Public vs. nonprofit employer
Government roles usually pay more and add pension benefits and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
License level
Holding the LBSW (rather than working in an unlicensed support title) often places you on a higher pay classification.
BSW vs. MSW
State agencies typically pay master's-level staff a higher classification, commonly a $4,000-$10,000 difference at hire that compounds over time.
Advancement
Moving into supervision is the most direct path to the top of the range, and usually expects a master's degree.
See where bachelor-level licensure raises your pay classification on our credentials page.
How Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) salary compares to other BSW careers
| Career | BLS category (SOC) | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Medical or Hospital Social Worker | 21-1022 | $67,880 |
| Behavioral-Health and Substance-Use Support Specialist | 21-1023 | $60,280 |
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) ← you are here | 21-1021 | $59,550 |
| School Social Worker | 21-1021 | $59,550 |
| Child, Family, and Child-Welfare Caseworker | 21-1021 | $59,550 |
| Case Manager and Care Coordinator | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
| Community and Social-Service Worker | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
| Aging, Disability, and Veterans' Services Worker | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
| Social and Human-Service Assistant | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Several roles share a BLS occupation, so their reported medians match.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)
- O*NET OnLine 21-1021.00
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community and Social Service
Last refreshed 2026-06-08. Exact wages reflect the BLS OEWS May 2025 release; setting and experience ranges are estimates grounded in that distribution.