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SAME FIELD · SAME CREDENTIAL · ONE STATE

Social Work master's degree programs in California

Compare 22 reporting programs using the same federal field and master's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

22Programs reporting earnings
$81,397Median year-4 earnings
Not availableMedian federal debt
0Programs reporting debt
OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1California State University, East BayHayward · Debt not reported$96,1982California State University, Monterey BaySeaside · Debt not reported$95,9503San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco · Debt not reported$94,4524California State University, BakersfieldBakersfield · Debt not reported$86,5275University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · Debt not reported$85,4266California State University, StanislausTurlock · Debt not reported$84,8377California State University, Dominguez HillsCarson · Debt not reported$84,6288California State University, SacramentoSacramento · Debt not reported$84,1009California State University, Long BeachLong Beach · Debt not reported$82,39510California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge · Debt not reported$81,505
CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

11-9151Social and Community Service Managers
State median wage
$83,210
Middle 50% wage range
$70,810–$114,090
State employment
33,510
Projected growth
+7.2%
Annual openings
18,500
10th–90th percentile: $56,510–$149,280
21-1021Child, Family, and School Social Workers
State median wage
$65,200
Middle 50% wage range
$52,270–$82,080
State employment
60,310
Projected growth
+4.4%
Annual openings
33,900
10th–90th percentile: $45,360–$103,050
21-1022Healthcare Social Workers
State median wage
$89,660
Middle 50% wage range
$67,630–$118,740
State employment
17,690
Projected growth
+8.5%
Annual openings
16,900
10th–90th percentile: $54,220–$134,880
25-1113Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary
State median wage
$81,500
Middle 50% wage range
$74,160–$107,870
State employment
230
Projected growth
+2.6%
Annual openings
1,100
10th–90th percentile: $53,760–$151,990
21-1029Social Workers, All Other
State median wage
$63,010
Middle 50% wage range
$42,350–$102,160
State employment
6,430
Projected growth
+2.3%
Annual openings
5,800
10th–90th percentile: $36,160–$132,480
21-1023Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
State median wage
$79,000
Middle 50% wage range
$57,800–$118,860
State employment
19,860
Projected growth
+10.3%
Annual openings
12,500
10th–90th percentile: $46,450–$147,300
21-1092Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
State median wage
$103,640
Middle 50% wage range
$80,300–$123,540
State employment
13,900
Projected growth
+3.0%
Annual openings
7,900
10th–90th percentile: $64,820–$140,950
21-1013Marriage and Family Therapists
State median wage
$67,300
Middle 50% wage range
$49,680–$98,450
State employment
34,970
Projected growth
+13.5%
Annual openings
6,900
10th–90th percentile: $46,350–$130,340

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#CollegeCityMedian year-4 earningsMedian federal debt
1California State University, East BayHayward$96,198Not available
2California State University, Monterey BaySeaside$95,950Not available
3San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco$94,452Not available
4California State University, BakersfieldBakersfield$86,527Not available
5University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles$85,426Not available
6California State University, StanislausTurlock$84,837Not available
7California State University, Dominguez HillsCarson$84,628Not available
8California State University, SacramentoSacramento$84,100Not available
9California State University, Long BeachLong Beach$82,395Not available
10California State University, NorthridgeNorthridge$81,505Not available
11California State University, San BernardinoSan Bernardino$81,476Not available
12California State University, FullertonFullerton$81,397Not available
13California State University, FresnoFresno$80,905Not available
14Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda$80,685Not available
15San Diego State UniversitySan Diego$78,813Not available
16California State University, Los AngelesLos Angeles$78,135Not available
17Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa$77,518Not available
18California State University, San MarcosSan Marcos$77,471Not available
19California State Polytechnic University-HumboldtArcata$74,253Not available
20University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$73,829Not available
21California Baptist UniversityRiverside$72,590Not available
22California State University, ChicoChico$72,273Not available

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Social Work in California

What do Social Work master's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 22 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $81,397 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The current federal release does not contain enough reportable debt figures for this comparison.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. California State University, East Bay has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.