Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale is 5,080.
  • Social Workers in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale earn an average of $44,310 per year or $21.30 per hour.
  • The percentage of Arizona Social Workers who work in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale is 66%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale is 1%.

Rankings for Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale

  • Ranks #1 in Arizona for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Arizona for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #378 in the nation for salary and #46 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #10 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Arizona

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Social Workers earn an average of $44,310 or $21.30 per hour which is 1% more than the Arizona average salary of $43,660.

AveragePhoenix-Mesa-ScottsdaleArizona% Difference
Hourly Wage$21.30$20.991.48%
Annual Salary$44,310$43,6601.49%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Social Workers earn an average of $44,310 or $21.30 per hour which is 19% less than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AveragePhoenix-Mesa-ScottsdaleU.S.%
Hourly Wage$21.30$26.39-19.29%
Annual Salary$44,310$54,880-19.26%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale earns an average annual salary of $43,204 which compares to the Arizona average annual salary of $43,660. per year.

Cost-of-living in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale is 3% higher than the Arizona average, which means Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Arizona average.

  • Arizona average salary is $43,660.
  • Arizona cost-of-living adjusted salary is $44,070.
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale average salary is $44,310.
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale cost-of-living adjusted salary is $43,204.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale$44,310102.56%$43,204
Arizona$43,66099.07%$44,070
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, 50% of Social Workers earn between $37,200 and $49,030 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $60,040, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $36,380, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year508Under $36,380
15%2 – 4 years762$36,380 – $37,200
25%5 – 9 years1,270$37,200 – $38,980
25%10 – 14 years1,270$38,980 – $49,030
15%15 – 20 years762$38,980 – $60,040
10%20+ years508Above $60,040
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $44,310, Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Social Workers tend to earn less than Forensic Psychologists ($97,400), School Psychologists ($80,130), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($77,200), Psychology Teachers ($74,620), Health Care Social Workers ($61,950), Marriage and Family Therapists ($58,880), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($54,440).

TitleAnnual Salary
Forensic Psychologists$97,400
School Psychologists$80,130
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$77,200
Psychology Teachers$74,620
Health Care Social Workers$61,950
Marriage and Family Therapists$58,880
Substance Abuse Counselors$54,440
Social Workers$44,310
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale is 5,080.

Social Workers earn an average of $44,310 per year or $21.30 per hour in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Social Workers earn an average of $43,204 per year or $21 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale are Forensic Psychologists($97,400), School Psychologists($80,130), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($77,200).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in Arizona cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data