💰 Salary Guide

Social Worker Salary in Oregon (2026 Guide)

Oregon sits in the upper tier of U.S. social worker compensation, with a weighted mean salary of $72,133. Oregon's portland concentration and statewide behavioral health system reform creates strong demand for licensed clinicians and specialists.

$72,133
Mean salary
+17.6% vs. U.S. median
$84,830
LCSW upside
+17.6% above state mean
15,400
Employed
BLS OES May 2024
+7.6%
Growth 2024–2034
Projected job growth
Salary Breakdown

Oregon salary by specialty.

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

Specialty (SOC) Oregon mean U.S. mean Differential
Child, Family & School
SOC 21-1021 · BSW/LMSW/LCSW		 $66,320 $58,570 +13.2%
Healthcare / Medical
SOC 21-1022 · LCSW		 $84,830 $68,090 +24.6%
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
SOC 21-1023 · LCSW		 $74,310 $60,060 +23.7%
Social Workers, All Other
SOC 21-1029 · Policy/VA/Private		 $66,440 $69,480 -4.4%

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

What this means

What this salary picture tells you.

Oregon 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: 86/100   Top settings: Behavioral health, Hospitals, Community agencies

How to earn more in Oregon

Three levers that move the salary needle.

1. LCSW licensure. The LCSW is the single biggest salary lever in social work. In Oregon, licensed clinical social workers earn up to $84,830 — +17.6% above the state mean. Requires 2,000 supervised clinical hours and 2 years post-MSW.

2. Specialty choice. Healthcare social workers earn $84,830 on average in Oregon — 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 OregonHours, timeline, examSee the roadmap → Find supervisionConnect with LCSW supervisorsBrowse supervisors → Open jobs in OregonLCSW-eligible with 4-signal listingsBrowse jobs →
Compare Oregon to peer states

Salary peers worth comparing.

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

Nevada
West · Mean salary
$69,253
Minnesota
Midwest · Mean salary
$72,232
Maryland
Northeast · Mean salary
$71,943
Washington
West · Mean salary
$75,689
FAQ

Common questions about social work salary in Oregon.

How much do social workers make in Oregon?
The weighted mean annual salary for social workers in Oregon is $72,133, based on BLS OES May 2024 data. Pay varies significantly by specialty: Child/Family/School social workers average $66,320, Healthcare social workers $84,830, and Mental Health & Substance Abuse social workers $74,310.
How much do LCSWs make in Oregon?
LCSWs in Oregon typically earn up to $84,830 in the highest-paying settings (usually mental health, healthcare, or specialty private practice). That's +17.6% 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 Oregon?
In Oregon, the highest-paying subcategory is Healthcare at $84,830. Nationally, healthcare social work tends to be the most consistently well-paid, but state-specific patterns vary.
Is Oregon a good state for social workers?
Oregon has a demand score of 86/100 based on growth rate, shortage pressure, and labor-market signals. The state's high shortage level and 7.6% projected growth 2024–2034 shape both job availability and compensation dynamics. Best-fit settings include behavioral health, hospitals, 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.