Social Work Degree Programs in Georgia (2026)

Quick answer: Child, Family, and School Social Workers in Georgia earn a median $47,510 per year, below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 7,110 of them. Licensing runs through your state social work licensing board.

Social Work Pay and Employment in Georgia at a Glance

MetricGeorgiaNationalSource
Median annual wage$47,510$59,550BLS OEWS, May 2025
10th percentile$35,690$42,280BLS OEWS, May 2025
25th percentile$41,600$48,270BLS OEWS, May 2025
75th percentile$60,250$76,070BLS OEWS, May 2025
90th percentile$83,380$95,530BLS OEWS, May 2025
Employment7,110392,550BLS OEWS, May 2025
Location quotient0.581.00BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected change (2024-34)not published by state3.4%BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34

How Georgia Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country

The Georgia median of $47,510 sits below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.

A location quotient of 0.58 puts Georgia below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.

Where the Jobs Are in Georgia

Metro areaMedian annual wageEmployment
Dalton$50,760100
Brunswick$50,44090
Atlanta$49,7203,990
Albany$48,460220
Savannah$48,340190
Augusta$47,080350
Columbus$47,080230
Gainesville$47,080100
Hinesville$47,08050
Macon$47,080220

Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Social work demand follows local school districts, hospital systems, county agencies and nonprofit providers.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers Wages by Metro Area in Georgia

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), child, family, and school social workers wages in Georgia vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell3,990$49,720$56,330$37,090$92,340
Chattanooga600$52,330$54,310$37,770$73,120
Augusta-Richmond County350$47,080$52,480$35,760$83,380
Columbus230$47,080$52,170$35,040$80,450
Albany220$48,460$51,800$34,980$72,750
Macon-Bibb County220$47,080$48,950$35,040$63,290
Athens-Clarke County200$47,010$50,390$35,690$67,740
Savannah190$48,340$54,120$37,240$75,670
Valdosta150$45,230$45,020$30,720$59,170
Rome120$47,080$48,790$36,010$62,500
Dalton100$50,760$49,910$27,450$62,420
Gainesville100$47,080$55,670$41,600$88,100
Brunswick-St. Simons90$50,440$56,430$36,270$95,820
Warner Robins70$47,080$54,450$28,050$108,680
Hinesville50$47,080$54,300$37,840$92,940

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

All Georgia Metro Areas With Published Data

Albany * Athens * Atlanta * Augusta * Columbus * Dalton * Gainesville * Macon * Rome * Savannah * Valdosta

Licensing and Credentials in Georgia

Social work licensure is tiered, and both the tier names and what each permits differ by state. The national constants are CSWE accreditation of the degree - required at both bachelor’s and master’s level - and the ASWB examinations. Clinical practice requires the master’s plus supervised post-graduate experience.

Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state social work licensing board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.

Earning the Degree While You Work

Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.

Schools Near You

Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Atlanta, GA 43.0 miles away BOC Score 95.4
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 93.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 13
  • Annual completions: 992
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $119,180 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

University of Georgia

Athens, GA 52.1 miles away BOC Score 88.3
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 88.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 1578
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $74,144 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Emory University

Atlanta, GA 42.2 miles away BOC Score 83.6
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 91.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 132
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $90,139 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Agnes Scott College

Decatur, GA 39.8 miles away BOC Score 65.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 70.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 1
  • Annual completions: 18
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,746 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Mercer University

Macon, GA 36.3 miles away BOC Score 63.8
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Key stats
  • Programs offered: 24
  • Annual completions: 288
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $71,870 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw, GA 64.5 miles away BOC Score 58.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 29
  • Annual completions: 2347
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $68,306 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Fort Valley State University

Fort Valley, GA 54.5 miles away BOC Score 45.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 43.2% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 72
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,844 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

LaGrange College

Lagrange, GA 71.3 miles away BOC Score 41.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 44.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 7
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $62,232 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do child, family, and school social workers make in Georgia?

The median annual wage for child, family, and school social workers in Georgia is $47,510, below the national median of $59,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $41,600 at the 25th percentile to $60,250 at the 75th.

How many child, family, and school social workers work in Georgia?

Georgia holds about 7,110 social worker jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 392,550, and BLS projects about 35,100 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).

Do I need a license to work as a social worker in Georgia?

Social work licensure is tiered, and both the tier names and what each permits differ by state. The national constants are CSWE accreditation of the degree - required at both bachelor's and master's level - and the ASWB examinations. Clinical practice requires the master's plus supervised post-graduate experience. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state social work licensing board before you enroll in any program.

Can I earn a BSW or MSW online while working in Georgia?

Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state social work licensing board.

What is the highest-paying area of Georgia for child, family, and school social workers?

Among Georgia metro areas with published data, Dalton reports the highest median at $50,760 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Is Georgia a good state for child, family, and school social workers?

On pay, the state median of $47,510 sits below the national $59,550 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.58 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.

Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Child, Family, and School Social Workers (SOC 21-1021), national, state and metropolitan estimates
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
  • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements

Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.


About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.