Salary Report for Idaho Social Workers

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Idaho is 960.
  • Social Workers in Idaho earn an average of $47,560 per year or $22.87 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Idaho is less than 1%.
  • Idaho will need 1,440 new Social Workers by 2030 or 130 new psychologists per year.

Idaho Rankings

  • Idaho ranks #34 in the U.S. for Social Workers salary and #45 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Idaho ranks #48 in the U.S. for the total number of Social Workers employed.
  • Idaho ranks #44 in U.S. for the number of new Social Workers needed by 2030.
  • Idaho ranks #33 in U.S. for the percentage of new Social Workers needed by 2030.

Compare Idaho to U.S.

Idaho Social Workers earn an average of $47,560 which is 13% less than the national average salary of $54,880.

TypeIdahoU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$22.87$26.39-13.34%
Average Annual Salary$47,560$54,880-13.34%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In Idaho, 50% of Social Workers earn between $37,690 and $59,360 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $61,020, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $30,600, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year96Under $30,600
15%2 – 4 years144$30,600 – $37,690
25%5 – 9 years240$37,690 – $46,920
25%10 – 14 years240$46,920 – $59,360
15%15 – 20 years144$46,920 – $61,020
10%20+ years96Above $61,020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Idaho psychologists earn about $52,149 per year which is less than the average U.S. psychologist of $54,880.

Cost-of-living in Idaho is 9% less than the national average, which means Idaho residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.

  • National average salary for Social Workers is $54,880.
  • Average Idaho Social Workers salary is $47,560.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, Idaho Social Workers earn an average salary of $52,149.

More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $47,560, Idaho Social Workers tend to earn less than Forensic Psychologists ($84,070), Psychology Teachers ($81,250), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($77,070), Health Care Social Workers ($63,990), Marriage and Family Therapists ($53,870), School Psychologists ($53,760), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($53,630).

TitleAnnual Salary
Forensic Psychologists$84,070
Psychology Teachers$81,250
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$77,070
Health Care Social Workers$63,990
Marriage and Family Therapists$53,870
School Psychologists$53,760
Substance Abuse Counselors$53,630
Social Workers$47,560
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Projected Demand for Psychologists in 2030

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in Idaho the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (2,230), Social Workers (1,440) and Marriage and Family Therapists (800).

The three professions in Idaho needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Marriage and Family Therapists (25%), Health Care Social Workers (20.8%) and Substance Abuse Counselors (19.9%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Substance Abuse Counselors1,8602,23019.9%220
Social Workers1,3201,4409.1%130
Marriage and Family Therapists64080025%80
Health Care Social Workers53064020.8%60
Psychology Teachers1101209.1%10
Forensic Psychologists70700%10
Industrial Organizational Psychologists20200%0
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by Idaho Cities

The average salary for Social Workers in Idaho is $47,560. The top cities that pay Social Workers the most are Lewiston ($52,380), Southeast-Central Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area ($48,930) and Boise City ($48,690).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Lewiston ($58,650), Southeast-Central Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area ($55,263) and Boise City ($52,092).

The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Social Workers in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.

The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Social Workers salary will have in that area.

AreaAverage SalaryCOL AdjustedDifference
Lewiston$52,380$58,650$6,270
Southeast-Central Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area$48,930$55,263$6,333
Boise City$48,690$52,092$3,402
Coeur d’Alene$47,630$52,021$4,391
Idaho Falls$47,160$51,750$4,590
Twin Falls$46,260$51,809$5,549
Northwestern Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area$44,690$50,474$5,784
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for Idaho Social Workers

Idaho Social Workers earn between $30,600 and $61,020 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 960 Social Workers employed in Idaho which is about 0% of the U.S. total.

Forensic Psychologists are the highest paid psychologists in Idaho with an average annual wage of $84,070.

An entry level psychologist makes as much as $30,600 a year in Idaho

The most Social Workers work in the Boise City area where 450 Social Workers are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Idaho earn 52,149 per year, while the average across the United States earns $54,880.

By 2030, Idaho will need 1,440 Social Workers. A total of 130 Social Workers will need to enter into the Idaho work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Boise City

Average Social Workers Salary: $48,690
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $52,092
Hourly Wage: $23.41
Currently Employed: 450
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.47
Boise City Salary Report

Coeur d’Alene

Average Social Workers Salary: $47,630
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $52,021
Hourly Wage: $23
Currently Employed: 90
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.56
Coeur d’Alene Salary Report

Idaho Falls

Average Social Workers Salary: $47,160
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $51,750
Hourly Wage: $22.67
Currently Employed: 90
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.13
Idaho Falls Salary Report

Lewiston

Average Social Workers Salary: $52,380
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $58,650
Hourly Wage: $25
Currently Employed: 60
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.31
Lewiston Salary Report

Northwestern Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $44,690
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $50,474
Hourly Wage: $21.49
Currently Employed: 100
Cost-of-Living Index: 88.54
Northwestern Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Southeast-Central Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $48,930
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $55,263
Hourly Wage: $24
Currently Employed: 80
Cost-of-Living Index: 88.54
Southeast-Central Idaho Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Twin Falls

Average Social Workers Salary: $46,260
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $51,809
Hourly Wage: $22.24
Currently Employed: 80
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.29
Twin Falls Salary Report

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