Healthcare Social Worker salary in Tennessee
Healthcare Social Workers in Tennessee earn a median of $61,240 a year ($29.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,280 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $67,880. Tennessee ranks 42nd of 51 states for healthcare social workers pay. There are 1.8 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,120 | $19.77 |
| 25th percentile | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Median | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| 75th percentile | $76,200 | $36.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,280 | $40.04 |
| Average (mean) | $62,750 | $30.17 |
Half of healthcare social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,103.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,551.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,355.38 |
| Weekly | $1,177.69 |
| Hourly | $29.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $65,040 | 2,210 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,430 | 950 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,840 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $61,560 | 530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,950 | 610 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $59,210 | 110 |
| Cleveland, TN | $58,240 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $54,520 | 230 |
| Johnson City, TN | $52,020 | 230 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $49,570 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Counselors, All Other | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Health Education Specialist | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Clergy | $57,260 | $27.53 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1022. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a healthcare social worker make in Tennessee?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in Tennessee is $61,240 a year, or $29.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in Tennessee earn at least $83,280 a year. The top 25% earn $76,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,120 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $48,820 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in Tennessee?
About 5,970 healthcare social workers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.