HealthcareOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level Social Worker Salary in San Francisco

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$74,930/yr

Typical range: $75,724 $89,233

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Social Worker Salary Progression in San Francisco

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$74,930$6,244
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$92,057$7,671+23%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$102,048$8,504+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$113,037$9,420+51%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$137,015$11,418+83%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$157,567$13,131+110%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$162,705$13,559+117%
Current Salary
$74,930
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $36/hr
Next Level Target
$92,057
Junior · 2
+$17Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
48/100
Below Average
+9% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level Social Worker salary in San Francisco, CA?

Entry Level Social Workers in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $75K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level Social Worker make per hour in San Francisco, CA?

Based on $75K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $36/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior Social Worker in San Francisco, CA?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Social Worker in San Francisco, CA earns $128K–$151K/yr.