folvr

Social Worker Salary in Los Angeles, California

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$47/ year

Median Social Worker in Los Angeles, CA

$28
10th
$34
25th
$47
Median
$61
75th
$74
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$47
Total compensation (est.)
$54
Bonus range
$2,200 – $9,480
Mean salary
$50

How This Compares

Los Angeles, CA median
$47
California median
$62,118-99.9%
National median
$60,900-99.9%

Cost of living in Los Angeles is 51% above the national average. Salary of $47 here is equivalent to $31 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$34-27.7%
3-5 years
$43-8.5%
6-10 years
$53+12.8%
10+ years
$65+38.3%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$41-12.8%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$47
Enterprise (5,000+)
$55+17.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$0
$30K$500K

Social Worker Salaries in Nearby Cities

San Diego, CA$87,696/yr
San Jose, CA$108,402/yr
San Francisco, CA$112,665/yr
Fresno, CA$60,900/yr
Sacramento, CA$60,900/yr

Related Jobs in Los Angeles

Registered Nurse$122,642/yr
Nurse Practitioner$188,267/yr
Physician Assistant$190,275/yr
Physical Therapist$147,557/yr
Occupational Therapist$140,702/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$0/hr
Monthly gross$4/mo
25th percentile$34/yr
75th percentile$61/yr

Find Social Worker jobs in Los Angeles

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Social Worker Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Social Worker salary in Los Angeles?

The median Social Worker salary in Los Angeles is $47 per year, with a range from $34 at the 25th percentile to $61 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Social Worker pay in Los Angeles compare to the national average?

Social Worker salaries in Los Angeles are 100% below the national median of $60,900. After adjusting for Los Angeles's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $31 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Social Worker salaries in Los Angeles?

In Los Angeles, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Social Worker roles start around $28, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $74 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Los Angeles a good place for Social Worker jobs?

Los Angeles offers a Social Worker median of $47, which is 100% below the US median of $60,900. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Los Angeles is 51% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Social Worker salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Social Worker in Los Angeles is $61, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.