Social workers play a critical role in supporting the well-being of vulnerable individuals and their families across the United States. The best companies for social workers employ these important professionals to ensure stability and promote collective responsibility. If you want to become a social worker, it’s important to know that the role focuses more on creating meaningful impact than on maximizing your salary.
If you’re considering a career in social work, you may want to know which companies pay social workers the highest salaries in 2025. This guide highlights the leading employers, current salary data, and workplace insights that will help you evaluate where to apply.As of August 2025, the median annual salary for social workers is $61,330, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, with employment projected to grow 6 percent in the next decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations.¹
What Is a Social Worker?
A social worker is a trained professional who helps individuals and families to access the resources they need to live safely and with dignity. Their responsibilities will vary depending on their area of specialization. For example, child and family social workers help to ensure children live in safe, supportive environments, while clinical social workers typically provide counseling and therapy to people that are facing mental health challenges. Social workers may also focus on healthcare, substance use recovery, school systems, or services for older adults.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are about 810,000 social workers that are currently employed, with the largest share working in child, family, and school social work.2
How to Get a Social Worker Job
Getting a job as a social worker requires a combination of education, field experience, and state licensure. Specific qualifications can vary depending on your location and the organization you want to work for, but the typical path includes the following steps:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW).
A BSW usually takes four years to complete and covers subjects like social welfare policy, human behavior, and social work practice. Some entry-level positions, such as caseworkers or assistants, may be available with just a bachelor’s degree. - Pursue a master’s degree in social work (MSW).
An MSW is often required for clinical roles and higher-level positions. It typically takes two additional years beyond your bachelor’s degree and provides specialized training in areas like mental health and healthcare social work. - Complete supervised fieldwork.
Social work programs include a practicum or internship component where students have to log supervised hours in a clinical or community setting. Depending on your state and program, this can range from 900 to 1,200 hours of hands-on training. - Obtain state licensure.
All US states require social workers to be licensed for clinical practice. Licensure exams are administered by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Requirements will vary by state, so you’ll need to check with your local licensing board. - Apply for social work jobs.
Once you’ve completed the required education and licensure, you can now apply for positions in hospitals, schools, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Federal and state governments are among the largest employers of social workers, but private companies and healthcare organizations also hire a lot of social workers.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Social Worker Companies
| Company | Average Salary for Social Workers |
| US Army | $53,1904 |
| AbleTo | $69,4475 |
| US Department of Veterans Affairs | $93,7736 |
| UnitedHealth Group | $73,3277 |
| HCA Healthcare | $69,8318 |
| DaVita | $75,4549 |
| VITAS Healthcare | $71,16410 |
| Department of Children and Family Services | $79,99511 |
| CVS Health | $53,10112 |
| University of Pittsburgh Medical Center | $51,22513 |
US Army
The US Army employs social workers to support active-duty service members and their families with mental health, adjustment, and crisis counseling. Social workers may be deployed alongside soldiers or stationed at military bases.
Average Salary: Social workers earn about $53,190 annually in the US Army.4US Army Reviews: Working as a social worker in the US Army offers a unique way to serve the country while supporting service members and their families. Reviews on Indeed will highlight strong benefits, career stability, and a sense of mission. However, many note challenges with deployment schedules and maintaining work-life balance.
AbleTo
AbleTo is a behavioral healthcare company that provides remote counseling and mental health support. Social workers serve as counselors and care specialists, helping clients manage stress, depression, and life transitions.
Average Salary: AbleTo pays social workers around $69.447 annually, with higher pay for experienced professionals.5AbleTo Reviews: Employees at AbleTo describe the workplace as supportive and flexible, with remote options being a major benefit. Many social workers value the company’s commitment to mental health, though some report that caseloads can be heavy at times.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hires social workers to provide counseling, case management, and healthcare support for US veterans. These social workers work in VA hospitals, clinics, and community-based programs.
Average Salary: VA social workers earn an average of $93,773 annually, though pay varies by role and location.6
US Department of Veterans Affairs Reviews: Social workers at the VA often cite job stability, federal benefits, and retirement plans as key positives to the job. With all of these positives, it’s important to contrast that any government role will mean you are dealing with sometimes frustrating bureaucratic processes and long wait times for internal advancement.
UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is a leading healthcare and insurance provider. Social workers here can be employed in care management, clinical services, and patient advocacy roles.
Average Salary: Social workers earn about $73,327 annually at UnitedHealth Group.7
UnitedHealth Group Reviews: Social workers at UnitedHealth Group will appreciate flexible schedules, remote opportunities, and competitive benefits packages. UnitedHealth Group employees have supportive teams but also note that workload and performance metrics can be demanding.⁴
HCA Healthcare
HCA Healthcare operates more than 2,000 healthcare facilities across the US and the UK. Social workers will support patients through hospital case management, discharge planning, and emotional support.
Average Salary: HCA Healthcare pays social workers about $69,831 annually.8
HCA Healthcare Reviews: HCA Healthcare provides a wide range of benefits, including retirement plans and tuition assistance. Many employees enjoy opportunities for advancement, but some report feeling overworked in high-demand hospital settings.
DaVita
DaVita specializes in kidney care and dialysis services. Social workers will assist patients undergoing dialysis with emotional support, resources, and treatment planning.
Average Salary: DaVita social workers earn about $75,454 annually.9
DaVita Reviews: Social workers at DaVita often describe a strong sense of community and teamwork, especially in supporting patients through long-term dialysis care. DaVita employees highlight good training and supportive managers, though some note that workload intensity can vary by location.
VITAS Healthcare
VITAS Healthcare provides hospice and palliative care for patients nearing the end of their life. Social workers support patients and families as they navigate care and decision-making.
Average Salary: Social workers at VITAS Healthcare earn around $71.164 annually.10
VITAS Healthcare Reviews: At VITAS Healthcare, social workers emphasize the rewarding nature of hospice and palliative care. Employees highlight tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance, and compassionate culture. Some, however, mention the emotional toll of end-of-life work.
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
DCFS social workers protect children and families through case management, investigations of abuse or neglect, and crisis intervention.
Average Salary: Social workers at DCFS earn about $79,995 annually, though entry-level roles may start lower.11
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Department of Children and Family Services Reviews: Social workers at DCFS report that the work is demanding but deeply impactful. These employees mention heavy caseloads and emotional challenges, but also strong training programs and opportunities for advancement in child welfare.
CVS Health
CVS Health employs social workers in hospitals, clinics, and health insurance divisions, focusing on patient advocacy and care coordination.
Average Salary: Social workers at CVS Health earn about $53,101 annually.12
CVS Health Reviews: At CVS Health, social workers benefit from healthcare packages and steady employment. Employees note that experiences vary by department, with some praising supportive managers while others highlight inconsistent leadership.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
UPMC is a nonprofit healthcare provider and insurer. Social workers help patients with discharge planning, therapy, and long-term care coordination.
Average Salary: UPMC pays social workers an average of $51,225 annually.13
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Reviews: Social workers at UPMC report that the organization provides good entry-level opportunities and training. Employees typically highlight career growth potential but also mention concerns about workload and limited support from management.
Why You Should Become a Social Worker in 2025
Social work is a meaningful career that allows you to make a direct impact on people’s lives. While salaries for social workers are often modest compared to some other healthcare professions, the field is growing steadily over the next decade. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 6 percent through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.¹ The national median annual wage for social workers is currently $61,330.¹
The demand for social workers is especially strong in healthcare, schools, and mental health services. As more people seek access to counseling, case management, and family support, social workers continue to play an essential role in communities across the country.
Best Companies for Social Workers FAQ
The highest-paying fields in social work are healthcare social work, with healthcare social workers earning a median annual salary of $69,490 nationally.3
The US Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest single employer of social workers in the United States.
Yes, social work is considered a great career if you like to help people and create social impact. The field offers job stability and a faster-than-average growth rate of 6 percent over the next decade.¹
Social workers often earn less than professionals in related healthcare fields. Currently, the national median annual wage is $61,330.¹
References
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-3
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-5
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/U.S.-Army/salaries/Social-Worker?period=yearly
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Ableto,-Inc./salaries/Licensed-Clinical-Social-Worker?period=yearly
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/US-Department-of-Veterans-Affairs/salaries/Social-Worker
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/UnitedHealth-Group/salaries/Social-Worker
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/HCA-Healthcare/salaries/Social-Worker?period=yearly
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/DaVita/salaries/Social-Worker
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Vitas-Healthcare/salaries/Social-Worker
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Nyc-Administration-For-Children’s-Services/salaries/Social-Worker/New-York-State
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/CVS-Health/salaries/Social-Worker
- https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Upmc/salaries/Social-Worker/Pittsburgh-PA
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