Healthcare Social Workers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $83,120 +22.1% vs national
Median hourly $39.96
10th percentile $48,930
90th percentile $128,450
Employed locally 1,520
National median $68,090

Compare Healthcare Social Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Healthcare Social Workers
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,930
    25th
    $61,460
    50th (median)
    $83,120
    75th
    $102,380
    90th
    $128,450

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Healthcare Social Workers salary vs area income 81% Median Healthcare Social Workers salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Healthcare Social Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $141,490
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $132,790
    Vallejo, CA $115,930
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $114,480
    Chico, CA $110,030
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,000

    Nearby metros — Healthcare Social Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Napa, CA $141,490
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $132,790
    Vallejo, CA $115,930
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $114,480
    Chico, CA $110,030
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,000

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants $52,910
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $58,690
    Marriage and Family Therapists $48,950
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $61,420
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $82,830
    Health Education Specialists $59,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Healthcare Social Workers make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Healthcare Social Workers in San Diego, CA is $39.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $60.46 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Healthcare Social Workers salaries?

    The median Healthcare Social Workers salary in San Diego, CA is 22.1% above the national median of $68,090. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Healthcare Social Workers in San Diego?

    Entry-level Healthcare Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $48,930 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,460.