Working as a Social worker is basically a profession for those people who wish to improve the life of other people and make society a better place to live in. Individuals who work as social worker help other people by assisting them cope up with different issues of their lives, solve family or personal problem and deal with relationships in better manner.

In recent times the demand for social workers or staff has increased drastically and their role has become critical. Today they don't just assist clients suffering from disability or some fatal disease, like unemployment, inadequate housing, or substance abuse, but even help the families undergoing domestic conflicts, sometimes with child or spousal abuse. Apart from this many of them are more involved in performing research and provide improved services. Besides this, many of them are also involved in system design or engaged in policy or planning development. In all they make our society a place worth living. In addition to this, many of them have done specialized training to serve a particular portion of a population.

In terms of pay scale, working as a social worker can help an individual earn a decent salary. Though the salary of social employees largely depends on the kind of work they do and the experience they hold. The median annual salary of a family, child, and school social staff in year 2006 was $37,480. The middle 50% made around $29590 to $49060. The lowest 10% enjoyed salary around $24,480 or less and the top 10% earned above $62,530. The median salary in the industries that employ largest amount of family, child and school social staff is:

Secondary and elementary schools - $48,360

The Local government - $43,500

The State government - $39,000

Family and individual services - $32,680

Residential care facilities - $32,590

The median annual income of the public health and medical social workers in May 2006 was $43,040. The middle 50% made around $34,110 to $53,740. The lowest 10% made around $27,280 or less and the top 10% earned above $64,070. Apart from this, the median annual income in industries employing maximum number of the public and health social personnel is:

Surgical and General medical hospitals - $48,420

Health care services - $44,470

Local government - $41,590

Nursing care facilities - $38,550

Family and individual services - $35,510

The median annual income of substance and mental health abuse social staff is $35,410. The middle 50 % made around $27,940 and $45,720. The lowest 10 % made $22,490 or less, and top 10 % made above $57,630. The median annual income in industries employing maximum number of substance and mental health abuse social staff is:

The Local government - $39,550

Substance abuse and Psychiatric hospitals -$39,240

Family and individual services - $34,920

Substance abuse and Mental health and Residential retardation facilities - $30,590

Substance abuse and mental health centers - $34,290

The median annual Income of all other social workers is $43,580. The middle 50 % made around $32,530 and $56,420. The lowest 10% made $25,540 or less, the top 10 % made above $68,500. The Median annual Income in the industries with largest amount of social workers is:

The Local government - $46,330

The State government - $45,070

Family and Individual services - $35,150

The above mentioned statistics is an attempt to provide every individual with an overview of the different salary options that he or she can earn while working as a social worker.