Salary Information for a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

One of the most lucrative fields in terms of salary that you can enter if you hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). By fulfilling the necessary steps to earn licensure in your state , you open the door to working as a LCSW, whether in private practice, as an administrator, or as a part of a team of clinical social workers at an established organization. Check out our list of schools.

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The LCSW can work in a variety of capacities once they have attained licensure. From administration in human services organizations, to working as a mental health counselor with a social work perspective, the LCSW will have a variety of possible functions they can fulfill. When working as a mental health counselor, the LCSW uses their unique skillset to help their patients deal with mental health issues ranging from crisis to long term chronic issues such as depression.

By creating a safe and healing space and practicing active listening techniques, creating strength based frameworks for clients to see their own mental health patterns; the LCSW helps the client to find healing. Take a more in-depth look.

The salary of the LCSW is excellent for the field of social work. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics the median salary for a Social Worker is $50,290 ($24.23 Per Hour). This figure of course will include Social Workers who are not LCSW’s and so is perhaps not the most accurate.

As you can see the LCSW earns an excellent salary in the field of human services and social work. The salary paid to the LCSW is competitive both within the field and generally within society and is well worth earning your Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and going on to perform the necessary steps to attain licensure. You can learn more about earning your Master of Social Work degree and licensure.

For more information about licensure in your state go to our homepage and click on your state.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Licensed Social Workers reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed May 2023.