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Case manager (child, family and school social worker): pay, outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$59,550median pay per year, or $28.63 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $42,280lowest 10% earn less
  2. $48,27025th percentile
  3. $59,550median
  4. $76,07075th percentile
  5. $95,530top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

BLS lists case manager as one reported job title in the category Child, Family, and School Social Workers, with a median wage of $59,550 a year in May 2025[1][2]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+4.4%[6]
Openings per year
33,900[7]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[3]

How much do case managers and child, family and school social workers make?

The median wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers was $59,550 a year, or $28.63 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $64,000 a year, or $30.77 an hour[8]. This page covers the BLS category that lists case manager among its reported job titles[2].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $42,280 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $48,270[4][9]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $76,070, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $95,530[4]. Hourly, those boundaries were $20.33, $23.21, $36.57 and $45.93[10]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

The median annual wage for all occupations was $50,980[5]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and employer costs of benefits[11]. About 392,550 people held these jobs on that basis[12].

Pay by state and city

Connecticut had the highest median wage at $78,970, followed by Maryland at $76,390 and New Jersey at $76,280[13]. Arkansas had the lowest listed median at $43,330[13].

California had the most jobs at 60,310, then New York at 30,170, Texas at 21,670, Illinois at 19,860 and Pennsylvania at 16,200[14].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs[15], San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara had the highest median at $87,600, followed by Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT at $81,830 and Salisbury, MD at $81,520[15]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area had the most jobs at 26,220, with a median of $71,250[16]. New York-Newark-Jersey City was next with 24,350 jobs and a median of $66,540[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Connecticut[13]$78,9705,230
Maryland$76,3904,710
New Jersey$76,2807,360
Massachusetts$75,57010,900
Washington$74,48010,720
District of Columbia$73,5502,430
New Hampshire$71,0101,700
Rhode Island$69,8702,450
Hawaii$68,2701,170
Minnesota$67,4506,540
Vermont$67,340640
California$65,20060,310
New York$65,10030,170
North Dakota$64,560870
Oregon$64,1306,630
Colorado$63,7208,200
Maine$63,2902,000
Illinois$63,22019,860
Alaska$62,6301,260
Virginia$61,3309,410
Nevada$61,0804,030
Idaho$59,840810
North Carolina$59,61013,010
Wisconsin$59,2805,710
Michigan$59,27015,760
Kentucky$59,1008,470
Louisiana$56,8001,110
Montana$56,7801,250
Florida$56,55014,000
Wyoming$56,420710
Tennessee$56,3107,870
New Mexico$56,1602,990
Texas$55,68021,670
Kansas$54,3003,190
Iowa$52,2503,410
West Virginia$52,2202,380
Utah$52,0001,930
South Carolina$51,8005,520
Ohio$51,52016,050
South Dakota$51,1002,050
Pennsylvania$50,82016,200
Indiana$50,4706,690
Arizona$50,1507,560
Delaware$48,520910
Missouri$48,5209,620
Nebraska$47,7704,830
Georgia$47,5107,110
Alabama$46,6604,220
Mississippi$46,5303,310
Oklahoma$43,9506,500
Arkansas$43,3301,150

How to become a child, family or school social worker

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no related experience or on-the-job training typically needed[3]. Social workers typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, and may need a license that varies by state[17]. The steps look like this:

A social work bachelor's is not required to enter a master's program. A bachelor's in almost any field is acceptable, and some programs let social work graduates finish in under 2 years[22].

All states require licenses for clinical social workers. Some also require a license or credential for nonclinical roles[23]. Rules differ by state, so check with your state licensure board[24].

In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 69% said a bachelor's degree was the required level, 26% said a master's degree and 6% said an associate's degree or other 2-year degree[25]. The training details above come from a BLS profile that covers social workers more widely than this one category[26].

What child, family and school social workers do

These workers help children and families with social and psychological needs and support children's well-being and school performance[27]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as case manager, case worker, foster care social worker and adoption social worker[2].

Where they work

BLS says social workers generally work in an office but also visit clients and meet with colleagues and community specialists. School social workers may cover several schools and travel around the district[29]. State and local government, not counting education and hospitals, was the largest employer at 27%[30].

Understaffing and large caseloads may make the work stressful[29]. Most social workers are employed full time. They sometimes work evenings, weekends and holidays, and they may be on call[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 405,100 to 422,900 jobs[6]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5%[32]. This count includes self-employed workers, so it differs from the wage survey count[6].

About 33,900 openings are projected each year on average[7]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[7]. Each year, 3.3% of workers leave the labor force and 4.4% move to a different occupation[33].

Is it a good fit?

The facts describe a job that typically starts with a bachelor's degree and pays above the all-occupations median[3][1][5]. Pay varies widely by state, from $78,970 in Connecticut to $43,330 in Arkansas[13]. Clinical roles need a master's degree, supervised experience and a license[34]. The work can involve large caseloads and some evening or weekend hours[29][31]. Growth is projected slightly above the all-occupations rate[6][32].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a case manager make an hour?
For Child, Family, and School Social Workers, the median was $28.63 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $30.77[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a child or family social worker?
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry education[3]. Clinical social workers need a master's degree in social work[34].
How long is a master's in social work?
Programs generally take 2 years[19]. Some allow social work graduates to finish in under 2 years[22].
Is social work in demand?
For this group, BLS projects 4.4% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, plus about 33,900 openings a year[6][32][7].
What is the highest paying state for these social workers?
Connecticut had the highest median at $78,970, then Maryland at $76,390[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in the US was $59,550 per year and $28.63 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. O*NET 21-1021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Adoption Social Worker, Case Manager, Case Worker, Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker), Family Protection Specialist, Family Resource Coordinator, Family Service Worker, Foster Care Social Worker. O*NET OnLine
  3. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Child, Family, and School Social Workers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 10th percentile $42,280, 25th percentile $48,270, 75th percentile $76,070, 90th percentile $95,530. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Child, Family, and School Social Workers is projected to grow 4.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 405,100 to 422,900 jobs (a change of +17,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 33,900 openings for Child, Family, and School Social Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers was $64,000 per year and $30.77 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 10th percentile $20.33, 25th percentile $23.21, 75th percentile $36.57, 90th percentile $45.93. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 392,550 people were employed as Child, Family, and School Social Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Child, Family, and School Social Workers jobs: California 60,310; New York 30,170; Texas 21,670; Illinois 19,860; Pennsylvania 16,200. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $87,600; Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $81,830; Salisbury, MD $81,520; Longview-Kelso, WA $80,450; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $80,430; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $79,920; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $78,970; New Haven, CT $78,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Child, Family, and School Social Workers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 26,220 (median $71,250); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 24,350 (median $66,540); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 13,550 (median $64,790); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 7,070 (median $77,420); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 6,850 (median $55,930); Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI 6,540 (median $59,270). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 21-1021.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 69%, Master's Degree 26%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  26. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Social Workers" covers Child, Family, and School Social Workers together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. O*NET description of Child, Family, and School Social Workers. O*NET OnLine
  28. O*NET task list for Child, Family, and School Social Workers. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of social workers in 2025: State and local government, excluding education and hospitals 27%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Child, Family, and School Social Workers: 3.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.