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Social worker salary in Illinois

Updated November 2, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Published by Humblebee.

$64,270median pay per year in Illinois, or $30.90 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $47,290lowest 10% earn less
  2. $54,27025th percentile
  3. $64,270median
  4. $78,61075th percentile
  5. $96,970top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[2]US median for this job, $67,880[3]

The median pay for social workers in Illinois was $64,270 a year in May 2025[1]. That was $3,610 lower than the US median[6].

Jobs in IL
4,910[4]
Rank by median pay
28 of 51[5]
Compared with US median
−5.3%[6]

How much do social workers make in Illinois?

Half of social workers in Illinois earned more than $64,270 a year, and half earned less[1]. That is $30.90 an hour[1]. The mean was higher, at $68,190 a year[7]. The median across all jobs in the state was $51,960[8], so social workers earned $12,310 more[9].

Across the US, the median for social workers was $67,880[3]. Illinois was 5.3% lower[6] and ranked 28th among the 50 states and DC[5]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $47,290, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $96,970[2]. The middle half fell between $54,270 and $78,610[2].

Bloomington, IL had the highest metro median at $78,960[10]. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area was at $71,430[11]. St. Louis, MO-IL was at $62,200[11]. OEWS counts wage and salary workers only. It leaves out the self-employed and does not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits[12].

Illinois vs US pay

Pay for social workers in Illinois next to the national figures[1][3].

ILUS
Median per year$64,270[1]$67,880[3]
Median per hour$30.90[1]$32.63[3]
Lowest 10% earn less than$47,290[2]$46,220[13]
Top 10% earn more than$96,970[2]$100,360[13]
Jobs4,910[4]187,630[3]

Pay by metro area in Illinois

Metro areas in Illinois with the most jobs for social workers, and the median pay in each[11]. A metro area that crosses state lines is counted as a whole.

Metro areaMedian per yearJobs
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN[11]$71,4303,770
St. Louis, MO-IL$62,2001,860
Rockford, IL$63,070160
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL$58,920150
Peoria, IL$59,210150
Champaign-Urbana, IL$62,860140
Cape Girardeau, MO-IL$49,490110
Paducah, KY-IL$78,66070

Pay in nearby states

Median pay for social workers in the states that border Illinois, highest first[14].

StateMedian per yearJobs
Wisconsin[14]$66,9103,770
Indiana$64,5803,890
Kentucky$64,0801,980
Iowa$63,0501,550
Missouri$59,8704,430

Median pay for social workers in every state

Job outlook and training

Across the US, jobs for social workers are projected to grow 8.5% from 2025 to 2035[15]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: master's degree[16].

How to become one: steps, training and duties

Frequently asked questions

How much does a social worker make in Illinois?
The median was $64,270 a year in May 2025[1]. The average was $68,190[7].
How much does a social worker make an hour in Illinois?
The median was $30.90 an hour[1]. The 25th percentile was $26.09 an hour and the 75th was $37.79[17].
Which city in Illinois pays social workers the most?
Bloomington, IL had the highest median among metro areas with a published figure, at $78,960 a year[10]. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin was at $71,430[11].
Is Illinois a good state for social workers?
Illinois ranked 28th of 50 states and DC for median pay[5]. Its median was 5.3% lower than the US median[6]. Wisconsin was at $66,910 and Indiana at $64,580[14].
What do you need to become a social worker in Illinois?
This is a US figure, not an Illinois one. Across the US, the typical entry education is a Master's degree, with no related work experience and an internship or residency[16].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois was $64,270 per year and $30.90 per hour. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois: 10th percentile $47,290, 25th percentile $54,270, 75th percentile $78,610, 90th percentile $96,970. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in the US as a whole was $67,880 per year and $32.63 per hour, with about 187,630 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 4,910 people worked as Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: Illinois had the 28th highest median annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers out of the 50 states and DC with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois ($64,270) was $3,610 (5.3%) lower than the US median ($67,880). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois was $68,190 per year and $32.78 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in Illinois was $51,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois was $12,310 higher than the median for all occupations in the state ($51,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 12 metro areas in or partly in Illinois with a published median for Healthcare Social Workers, Bloomington, IL had the highest median annual wage, $78,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. 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
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Healthcare Social Workers in the US: 10th percentile $46,220, 25th percentile $56,710, 75th percentile $82,240, 90th percentile $100,360. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Healthcare Social Workers in states that border Illinois (highest first): Wisconsin $66,910; Indiana $64,580; Kentucky $64,080; Iowa $63,050; Missouri $59,870. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Healthcare Social Workers is projected to grow 8.5% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 16,900 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
  16. BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), typical path into Healthcare Social Workers: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Healthcare Social Workers in Illinois: 10th percentile $22.74, 25th percentile $26.09, 75th percentile $37.79, 90th percentile $46.62. BLS OEWS, May 2025

State figures cover only Illinois. Job outlook and entry requirements are national (US) figures: BLS does not publish them by state in our sources. Figures labelled “CareerFacts calculation” are simple differences between the BLS numbers shown.