Salary Report for Michigan Social Workers

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Michigan is 13,530.
  • Social Workers in Michigan earn an average of $51,900 per year or $24.95 per hour.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Michigan is 4%.
  • Michigan will need 14,620 new Social Workers by 2030 or 1,420 new psychologists per year.

Michigan Rankings

  • Michigan ranks #22 in the U.S. for Social Workers salary and #28 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Michigan ranks #6 in the U.S. for the total number of Social Workers employed.
  • Michigan ranks #6 in U.S. for the number of new Social Workers needed by 2030.
  • Michigan ranks #21 in U.S. for the percentage of new Social Workers needed by 2030.

Compare Michigan to U.S.

Michigan Social Workers earn an average of $51,900 which is 5% less than the national average salary of $54,880.

TypeMichiganU.S.% Difference
Average Hourly Wage$24.95$26.39-5.46%
Average Annual Salary$51,900$54,880-5.43%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Range by Education and Experience

In Michigan, 50% of Social Workers earn between $38,850 and $61,630 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $66,190, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $36,560, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year1,353Under $36,560
15%2 – 4 years2,030$36,560 – $38,850
25%5 – 9 years3,382$38,850 – $49,240
25%10 – 14 years3,382$49,240 – $61,630
15%15 – 20 years2,030$49,240 – $66,190
10%20+ years1,353Above $66,190
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 Michigan psychologists earn about $55,189 per year which is less than the average U.S. psychologist of $54,880.

Cost-of-living in Michigan is 6% less than the national average, which means Michigan 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 Michigan Social Workers salary is $51,900.
  • Adjusted for cost-of-living, Michigan Social Workers earn an average salary of $55,189.

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

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $51,900, Michigan Social Workers tend to earn less than Psychology Teachers ($83,670), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($81,940), School Psychologists ($78,460), Forensic Psychologists ($74,810), Health Care Social Workers ($59,390), Marriage and Family Therapists ($56,300), and Substance Abuse Counselors ($52,670).

TitleAnnual Salary
Psychology Teachers$83,670
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$81,940
School Psychologists$78,460
Forensic Psychologists$74,810
Health Care Social Workers$59,390
Marriage and Family Therapists$56,300
Substance Abuse Counselors$52,670
Social Workers$51,900
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 Michigan the three professions needing the most new psychologists by 2030 are Social Workers (14,620), Substance Abuse Counselors (10,120) and Health Care Social Workers (6,570).

The three professions in Michigan needing highest percentage new psychologists by 2030 are Substance Abuse Counselors (21.3%), Marriage and Family Therapists (14.3%) and Health Care Social Workers (12.1%).

Title20202030ChangeYearly Openings
Social Workers13,05014,62012%1,420
Substance Abuse Counselors8,34010,12021.3%1,020
Health Care Social Workers5,8606,57012.1%640
Psychology Teachers1,0201,14011.8%110
Forensic Psychologists4804800%30
Marriage and Family Therapists21024014.3%20
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, 2022*

Salaries Ranked by Michigan Cities

The average salary for Social Workers in Michigan is $51,900. The top cities that pay Social Workers the most are Muskegon ($56,280), Battle Creek ($55,820) and Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area ($55,030).

When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Social Workers the highest average annual salary are Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area ($62,584), Niles-Benton Harbor ($61,986) and Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area ($61,390).

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
Muskegon$56,280$61,227$4,947
Battle Creek$55,820$61,260$5,440
Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area$55,030$62,584$7,554
Niles-Benton Harbor$54,300$61,986$7,686
Monroe$54,300$59,215$4,915
Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area$53,980$61,390$7,410
Flint$53,840$59,989$6,149
Lansing-East Lansing$53,130$56,854$3,724
Ann Arbor$52,870$53,388$518
Saginaw$52,660$60,011$7,351
Upper Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area$52,420$59,616$7,196
Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area$51,640$58,729$7,089
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn$51,500$53,044$1,544
Bay City$50,990$55,831$4,841
Kalamazoo-Portage$50,410$54,187$3,777
Grand Rapids-Wyoming$49,830$52,602$2,772
Jackson$49,770$53,684$3,914
Midland$47,750$52,283$4,533
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary FAQ for Michigan Social Workers

Michigan Social Workers earn between $36,560 and $66,190 a year depending on their level of education, experience and skill.

There are currently 13,530 Social Workers employed in Michigan which is about 4% of the U.S. total.

Psychology Teachers are the highest paid psychologists in Michigan with an average annual wage of $83,670.

An entry level psychologist makes as much as $36,560 a year in Michigan

The most Social Workers work in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area where 5,180 Social Workers are employed.

After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Michigan earn 55,189 per year, while the average across the United States earns $54,880.

By 2030, Michigan will need 14,620 Social Workers. A total of 1,420 Social Workers will need to enter into the Michigan work forces each year.

City and Rural Summaries

Ann Arbor

Average Social Workers Salary: $52,870
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $53,388
Hourly Wage: $25.42
Currently Employed: 440
Cost-of-Living Index: 99.03
Ann Arbor Salary Report

Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $55,030
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $62,584
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 900
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.93
Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Battle Creek

Average Social Workers Salary: $55,820
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $61,260
Hourly Wage: $26.84
Currently Employed: 170
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.12
Battle Creek Salary Report

Bay City

Average Social Workers Salary: $50,990
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $55,831
Hourly Wage: $25
Currently Employed: 170
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.33
Bay City Salary Report

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn

Average Social Workers Salary: $51,500
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $53,044
Hourly Wage: $24.76
Currently Employed: 5,180
Cost-of-Living Index: 97.09
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Salary Report

Flint

Average Social Workers Salary: $53,840
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $59,989
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 470
Cost-of-Living Index: 89.75
Flint Salary Report

Grand Rapids-Wyoming

Average Social Workers Salary: $49,830
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $52,602
Hourly Wage: $23.96
Currently Employed: 2,100
Cost-of-Living Index: 94.73
Grand Rapids-Wyoming Salary Report

Jackson

Average Social Workers Salary: $49,770
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $53,684
Hourly Wage: $24
Currently Employed: 240
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.71
Jackson Salary Report

Kalamazoo-Portage

Average Social Workers Salary: $50,410
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $54,187
Hourly Wage: $24.24
Currently Employed: 610
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.03
Kalamazoo-Portage Salary Report

Lansing-East Lansing

Average Social Workers Salary: $53,130
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $56,854
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 750
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.45
Lansing-East Lansing Salary Report

Midland

Average Social Workers Salary: $47,750
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $52,283
Hourly Wage: $22.96
Currently Employed: 230
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.33
Midland Salary Report

Monroe

Average Social Workers Salary: $54,300
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $59,215
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 120
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.70
Monroe Salary Report

Muskegon

Average Social Workers Salary: $56,280
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $61,227
Hourly Wage: $27.06
Currently Employed: 300
Cost-of-Living Index: 91.92
Muskegon Salary Report

Niles-Benton Harbor

Average Social Workers Salary: $54,300
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $61,986
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 140
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.60
Niles-Benton Harbor Salary Report

Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $51,640
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $58,729
Hourly Wage: $24.83
Currently Employed: 440
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.93
Northeast Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $53,980
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $61,390
Hourly Wage: $26
Currently Employed: 380
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.93
Northwest Lower Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

Saginaw

Average Social Workers Salary: $52,660
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $60,011
Hourly Wage: $25.32
Currently Employed: 250
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.75
Saginaw Salary Report

Upper Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area

Average Social Workers Salary: $52,420
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $59,616
Hourly Wage: $25
Currently Employed: 480
Cost-of-Living Index: 87.93
Upper Peninsula of Michigan Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report

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