Entry Level Salary
$40,000
Median Salary
$62,475
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
19.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,499,000
Entry (Early)
$40,000
Median (Prime)
$62,475
High (Prime)
$63,516
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-95k
+101k
+110k
$25k / yr
-185k
+11k
+20k
$50k / yr
-275k
-79k
-70k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
32
32
$25k / yr
Never
56
52
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-170%
10%
18%
$50k / yr
-126%
-36%
-32%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate50.7%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Social workers, all other
25.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$59,000|$69,480
openings
7,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.9%
Social and community service managers
3.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,074|$78,240
openings
18,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.4%
Therapists, All Other
3.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$39,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,899|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Management occupations
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$74,283|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Child, family, and school social workers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$58,570
openings
35,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.4%
Medical and health services managers
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,713|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,801|$57,480
openings
265,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.6%
Healthcare social workers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$53,095
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$67,530|$68,090
openings
18,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.7%
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$36,930
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,000|$65,140
openings
31,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.5%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| social work. | Undergrad Certificate | 41 | $23,617 - $54,193 |
| social work. | Associate's Degree | 134 | $27,940 - $57,548 |
| social work. | Bachelor's Degree | 572 | $19,099 - $70,356 |
| social work. | Post-bacc Certificate | 10 | $57,835 - $67,411 |
| social work. | Master's Degree | 303 | $32,054 - $96,198 |
| social work. | Doctoral Degree | 80 | $84,830 - $130,490 |
| social work. | First Professional Degree | 3 | $59,122 - $90,782 |
| social work. | Graduate Certificate | 21 | $82,838 - $82,838 |
| social work. | Level 99 | 5 | $57,436 - $57,436 |