Salary distribution
Where California child, family, and school social workers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $54,890 and $88,190, with a median of $69,250.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $51,500. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 3 | $50,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $79,830 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Korean American Family Services, Inc. | Social Worker | 4 | $50,750 |
| Chinese for Affirmative Action | Community Advocate, Economic Justice | 1 | $79,830 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Social Worker at Korean American Family Services, Inc.$55,000Los AngelesDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25307-362829
- Community Advocate, Economic Justice at Chinese for Affirmative Action$79,830San FranciscoWage Level IIDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-099549
- Social Worker at Korean American Family Services, Inc.$50,000Los AngelesWage Level IDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-057746
- Social Worker at Korean American Family Services, Inc.$51,500Los AngelesWage Level IDecided Jan 10, 2025I-200-25003-590725
- Social Worker at Korean American Family Services, Inc.$50,000Los AngelesWage Level IDecided Jan 10, 2025I-200-25002-590066
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $50,750.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Korean American Family Services, Inc. | 4 | $50,750 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Chinese for Affirmative Action | 1 | $79,830 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.6 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.5 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.4 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Place children in foster or adoptive homes, institutions, or medical treatment centers.
- 02
Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
- 03
Recommend temporary foster care and advise foster or adoptive parents.
- 04
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
- 05
Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicate a need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services.
- 06
Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
- 07
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
- 08
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+3.4%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for child, family, and school social workers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$78,700
- Los Angeles$76,600
- San Francisco$71,810
- Sacramento$66,610
- Riverside$64,270
- San Diego$61,420
Compare Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in California is $69,250.
- How does California compare to the national median for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
- The California median is +16.9% versus the BLS national figure of $59,223.
- What is the salary range for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $46,980 and the 90th-percentile at $102,460, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Child, Family, and School Social Workers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 3.4% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.