HealthcareOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level Social Worker Salary in Washington DC

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

$64,438/yr

Typical range: $65,120 $76,738

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Social Worker Salary Progression in Washington DC

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

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$64,438$5,370
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$79,166$6,597+23%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$87,758$7,313+36%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$97,209$8,101+51%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$117,829$9,819+83%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$135,503$11,292+110%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$139,922$11,660+117%
Current Salary
$64,438
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $31/hr
Next Level Target
$79,166
Junior · 2
+$15Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
48/100
Below Average
+9% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level Social Worker salary in Washington DC, DC?

Entry Level Social Workers in Washington DC, DC earn approximately $64K 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 Washington DC, DC?

Based on $64K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $31/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior Social Worker in Washington DC, DC?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Social Worker in Washington DC, DC earns $110K–$130K/yr.