Median annual earnings of child, family, and school social workers were $37,480 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,590 and $49,060. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,480, and the top 10 percent earned more than $62,530. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of child, family, and school social workers in May 2006 were:
| Elementary and secondary schools | $48,360 |
| Local government | 43,500 |
| State government | 39,000 |
| Individual and family services | 32,680 |
| Other residential care facilities | 32,590 |
Median annual earnings of medical and public health social workers were $43,040 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,110 and $53,740. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,280, and the top 10 percent earned more than $64,070. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and public health social workers in May 2006 were:
| General medical and surgical hospitals | $48,420 |
| Home health care services | 44,470 |
| Local government | 41,590 |
| Nursing care facilities | 38,550 |
| Individual and family services | 35,510 |
Median annual earnings of mental health and substance abuse social workers were $35,410 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,940 and $45,720. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,490, and the top 10 percent earned more than $57,630. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of mental health and substance abuse social workers in May 2006 were:
| Local government | $39,550 |
| Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals | 39,240 |
| Individual and family services | 34,920 |
| Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities | 30,590 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 34,290 |
Median annual earnings of social workers, all other were $43,580 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,530 and $56,420. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,540, and the top 10 percent earned more than $68,500. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of social workers, all other in May 2006 were:
| Local government | $46,330 |
| State government | 45,070 |
| Individual and family services | 35,150 |
About 20 percent of social workers are members of a union. Many belong to the union that represents workers in other occupations at their place of employment.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
