Social Workers' Salaries Compared Across Five Countries
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Social workers' salaries vary significantly across five countries, with the US median at over $5,000 monthly and Australia at about AUD 9,400. Israel's 2025 reform sets entry-level pay at approximately NIS 9,400 gross monthly. The UK offers a range of £2,667 to £4,000 monthly based on experience. Canada's average is CAD 38.46 per hour. A full comparison must also account for cost of living and taxes.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- US social workers earn a median of over $5,000 monthly, with specialization impacting pay.
- Australian social workers have a median monthly salary of about AUD 9,400, 17% above the national average.
- Israel's 2025 salary reform established a starting gross monthly pay of NIS 9,400 for social workers.
- UK social workers earn between £2,667 and £4,000 monthly, depending on experience.
- Canadian social workers average CAD 38.46 per hour, or about $6,666 monthly.
- Comparing salaries requires considering cost of living, taxes, and working conditions.
A comparison of social worker salaries in Israel and four other countries reveals significant pay disparities. In the United States, the median annual salary for social workers was $61,780 as of May 2025, translating to approximately $5,148 per month before taxes. Salaries vary by specialization, with healthcare social workers earning a median of $67,900 annually, while those in child, family, and school settings earned around $59,550.
Australia offers a median weekly salary of AUD 2,172 for social workers, totaling about AUD 9,412 monthly before taxes, which is approximately 17% higher than the median for all full-time workers in the country. In Canada, the average hourly wage for social workers is CAD 38.46, equating to roughly $6,666 per month assuming a 40-hour work week, though this varies by province.
In the United Kingdom, entry-level social workers can expect to earn around £32,000 annually, with experienced professionals potentially reaching £48,000 per year, a monthly range of approximately £2,667 to £4,000 before taxes. This figure represents a range based on experience rather than a median for the entire profession.
Israel implemented a salary reform in 2025, setting a base salary of approximately NIS 9,400 gross per month for a full-time, entry-level social worker. This amount can increase with experience, professional development, and managerial roles, but the final take-home pay depends on seniority, position, and hours worked.
The article notes that a true understanding of compensation requires considering factors beyond the paycheck, such as the cost of living, taxes, working hours, and overall social benefits in each country.