💰 Salary Guide

Social Worker Salary in North Dakota (2026 Guide)

North Dakota sits in the upper tier of U.S. social worker compensation, with a weighted mean salary of $67,178. North dakota's small population and oil-boom community needs creates strong demand for licensed clinicians and specialists.

$67,178
Mean salary
+9.5% vs. U.S. median
$76,760
LCSW upside
+14.3% above state mean
2,100 (est.)
Employed
BLS OES May 2024
+5.3%
Growth 2024–2034
Projected job growth
Salary Breakdown

North Dakota salary by specialty.

BLS tracks four social worker subcategories. Each has different salary dynamics driven by licensure, setting, and employer type.

Specialty (SOC) North Dakota mean U.S. mean Differential
Child, Family & School
SOC 21-1021 · BSW/LMSW/LCSW		 $67,350 $58,570 +15.0%
Healthcare / Medical
SOC 21-1022 · LCSW		 $63,810 $68,090 -6.3%
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
SOC 21-1023 · LCSW		 $65,800 $60,060 +9.6%
Social Workers, All Other
SOC 21-1029 · Policy/VA/Private		 $76,760 $69,480 +10.5%

Data: BLS OES May 2024. Differential compares state subcategory mean to national subcategory mean.

What this means

What this salary picture tells you.

North Dakota offers above-average pay with real hiring pressure. Healthcare and behavioral health employers are typically the most aggressive recruiters. LCSW licensure unlocks the strongest negotiating position.

Shortage level: High   Demand score: 82/100   Top settings: Rural health, Schools, Community agencies

How to earn more in North Dakota

Three levers that move the salary needle.

1. LCSW licensure. The LCSW is the single biggest salary lever in social work. In North Dakota, licensed clinical social workers earn up to $76,760 — +14.3% above the state mean. Requires 4,000 supervised clinical hours and 2 years post-MSW.

2. Specialty choice. Healthcare social workers earn $63,810 on average in North Dakota — typically the highest-paying subcategory. Substance use and geriatric specializations also command premiums due to demand.

3. Setting and employer type. Nationally, state/local government and hospital systems pay $12,000–$16,000 more than individual and family services. PSLF-eligible public-sector employment adds significant effective compensation for anyone with student loans.

LCSW path in North DakotaHours, timeline, examSee the roadmap → Find supervisionConnect with LCSW supervisorsBrowse supervisors → Open jobs in North DakotaLCSW-eligible with 4-signal listingsBrowse jobs →
Compare North Dakota to peer states

Salary peers worth comparing.

Automatically selected based on region, salary tier, and shortage contrast.

Illinois
Midwest · Mean salary
$67,821
Maine
Northeast · Mean salary
$67,141
Colorado
West · Mean salary
$67,929
Alabama
South · Mean salary
$54,583
FAQ

Common questions about social work salary in North Dakota.

How much do social workers make in North Dakota?
The weighted mean annual salary for social workers in North Dakota is $67,178, based on BLS OES May 2024 data. Pay varies significantly by specialty: Child/Family/School social workers average $67,350, Healthcare social workers $63,810, and Mental Health & Substance Abuse social workers $65,800.
How much do LCSWs make in North Dakota?
LCSWs in North Dakota typically earn up to $76,760 in the highest-paying settings (usually mental health, healthcare, or specialty private practice). That's +14.3% above the overall state mean. Clinical licensure is the single biggest salary lever in social work.
What's the highest-paying social work specialty in North Dakota?
In North Dakota, the highest-paying subcategory is All Other (policy, VA, private practice) at $76,760. Nationally, healthcare social work tends to be the most consistently well-paid, but state-specific patterns vary.
Is North Dakota a good state for social workers?
North Dakota has a demand score of 82/100 based on growth rate, shortage pressure, and labor-market signals. The state's high shortage level and 5.3% projected growth 2024–2034 shape both job availability and compensation dynamics. Best-fit settings include rural health, schools, community agencies.
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), May 2024 — mean annual wage by SOC subcategory (21-1021 / 21-1022 / 21-1023 / 21-1029). Weighted mean uses national employment weights (CFS 49%, HC 24%, MH 17%, Other 10%). State employment counts: BLS OES SOC 21-1020 aggregated; est. indicates population-proportional estimate. Growth rate: BLS national 2024–2034 projection with state demographic modifiers. Last updated April 2026. This page provides general career-planning data, not legal or licensing advice — verify current state board requirements before making career decisions.