Social Worker Salaries in Canada

The average salary for a Social Worker is $77,284 per year in Canada. Salaries estimates are based on 1278 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Social Worker employees in Canada.

The highest salary for a Social Worker in Canada is $95,856 per year.

The lowest salary for a Social Worker in Canada is $62,931 per year.

Becoming a social worker is a great way of providing a reliable income for you and your family. Salaries for social workers are very good and are growing at a steady rate. Salaries are the highest in British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and the Yukon Territory. You can also make more money as a social worker by working for a hospital or health care centre within urban areas or large city centers. Having years of experience as a social worker will also gain you a higher salary.

You can make more money as a social worker in Canada by expanding your scope of practice. If you already have a college diploma or bachelor’s or graduate degree in behavioural sciences, social sciences, or counselling, consider additional certifications, such as Advanced Social Work Practice (ASWP), Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) from the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), Canadian Social Work Practice, Certificate of Indigenous Social Work, Community and Health Services Navigation, Community Service Worker certification, or Social Service Worker Certificate. You can also make more money by specializing in addiction, case management, hospice, military, youth and family, and gerontology. Where you work also makes a difference in how much you earn—working for government agencies will typically score you a higher paycheque. Soft skills like empathy, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and a thorough understanding of PIPEDA laws are assets.

As a social worker, are you applying for a new job but want to negotiate a better salary? Or do you wish to stay with your current employer providing they give you a raise? To make more money, you should stick to hard facts about the average pay for social workers with similar skills and qualifications in your area. Knowing what others make can be a strong bargaining tool during negotiation. You should also use concrete examples when explaining why you deserve to earn more. Have you taken on additional duties and responsibilities? Do you onboard and mentor new social workers? Have you pursued continuing education to build your skills and stay on top of industry knowledge and trends? These assets add to your value and can help you land a higher-paying position.

About 62.76% of Social Worker professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional $2,720 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Social Worker in Canada as a good salary.

Social Worker professionals in Canada have a wide total pay range, between $52,587 and $117,920 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of $77,284 following the average career path of a Social Worker.