Social Worker in Everett, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Everett Stands

As a local, I can tell you that the job market for social workers in Everett is stable but not booming. The salary data reflects a mid-sized city with a relatively high cost of living, driven largely by its proximity to Seattle and the aerospace industry. The Median Salary: $63,233/year for Social Workers in the Everett metro area sits right at the national average, but that number can be misleading without context. When you break it down by experience, you see a more nuanced picture.

Experience-Level Breakdown Table

Experience Level	Typical Everett Salary Range	Key Employers & Roles
Entry-Level (0-3 yrs)	$50,000 - $58,000/year	Community health clinics, school support roles, hospital social work assistant.
Mid-Career (4-9 yrs)	$63,233/year (Median)	County government (Department of Human Services), Providence Regional Medical Center, school district social workers.
Senior/Expert (10+ yrs)	$75,000 - $90,000+/year	Clinical director roles, program managers at nonprofits, specialized hospital social work (e.g., oncology, palliative care).

The Hourly Rate: $30.4/hour is a useful benchmark for contract or part-time positions, which are common in this field. Compared to other Washington cities, Everett is a mid-tier market. Seattle and Bellevue command higher salaries (often 15-20% more) due to a higher cost of living and more competitive healthcare/tech-adjacent roles. However, Tacoma and Spokane often see slightly lower median wages. Everett's advantage is its 10-Year Job Growth: 7%, which is steady and reflects the ongoing demand for social services in a growing population. With Jobs in Metro: 222 at any given time (a figure from state labor data), it's not a saturated market, but it's not a desert either. You'll find opportunities, but they require active searching.

Insider Tip: The National Average: $60,860/year is often cited, but Washington State tends to pay higher. Everett is an exception, sitting just above the national average. This is because the city's economy is a mix of heavy industry (Boeing, maritime) and healthcare, which don't always pay at the tech-sector premiums seen in Seattle. Your leverage in salary negotiations here comes from specialized skills (like licensure in clinical therapy) and experience with specific populations (e.g., veterans, refugees, severe mental illness).

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's be realistic about your budget. Everett's cost of living is 113.0 (US avg = 100), meaning it's 13% pricier than the national average, primarily due to housing and utilities. With a median salary of $63,233/year, your monthly take-home pay after federal taxes, Washington state taxes (there's no state income tax, which helps), and FICA will be approximately $3,900 - $4,100/month.

Here’s a practical monthly budget breakdown for a single person earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,864	The average for Everett. You can find cheaper in Mill Creek or more expensive in North Everett/Waterfront.
Utilities	$200 - $250	Includes electricity, gas, water, and internet. Puget Sound Energy and Comcast are the main providers.
Groceries & Essentials	$400 - $500	Cost is slightly above national average. Trader Joe's, Fred Meyer, and local farmers' markets are key.
Transportation	$300 - $500	A car is almost essential. No state income tax helps with gas costs. Public transit (Community Transit) is an option but limited.
Healthcare/Insurance	$200 - $400	Varies widely by employer. Providence and Snohomish County offer good plans.
Savings/Debt/Discretionary	$500 - $800	This is tight. After rent and necessities, you have about $500-$800 left for student loans, retirement, and fun.

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the big question. The median home price in Everett is around $600,000 - $650,000. With a $63,233 salary, that's nearly 10x your annual income, which is far above the traditional 3x recommendation. A 20% down payment would be $120,000+, which is a massive hurdle. For a single person on this salary, buying a home in Everett itself is very challenging without a partner's income or a significant inheritance. More realistically, social workers often look to more affordable neighboring areas like Marysville or Arlington for homeownership, accepting a longer commute.

Insider Tip: Many local social workers live in shared housing or with partners to make the numbers work. The budget is manageable if you're frugal, but building wealth through homeownership on this salary alone in Everett is a long-term struggle.

Where the Jobs Are: Everett's Major Employers

The job market is anchored by a few key sectors: public health, county services, and large medical centers. Here are the major local employers hiring social workers:

1. Providence Regional Medical Center (Everett & Colby Campuses): The largest employer in the region. They hire Medical Social Workers for the ER, oncology, palliative care, and inpatient psychiatric units. They have a strong emphasis on integrated care. Hiring trends are stable, with a focus on candidates with LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credentials.
2. Snohomish County Human Services: The county government is a major employer. They run programs for aging, behavioral health, homelessness, and child welfare. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is a key unit. Jobs here are stable, unionized, and come with great benefits, but the hiring process can be slow. They often post openings on their official website and government job boards.
3. Everett Public Schools & Snohomish County School Districts: School social workers are in demand, especially those with experience in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention. Positions are often tied to the academic calendar. The hiring cycle peaks in spring for the next school year.
4. Community Health Centers: Organizations like Community Health Center of Snohomish County and Sea Mar Community Health Centers serve diverse populations, including low-income, migrant, and refugee communities. They offer roles in case management, therapy, and care coordination. These positions are often grant-funded, so funding cycles can affect hiring.
5. Everett Gospel Mission & Local Nonprofits: Organizations focused on homelessness, addiction recovery, and food security (like The Everett Food Bank) hire social workers for case management and outreach. Pay here is typically lower than public sector jobs, but the work is deeply community-focused.
6. Private Practice & Group Therapy Clinics: There's a growing network of private practices in Everett, Mill Creek, and Silver Lake. They hire therapists (especially LCSWs) for contract or full-time positions. This is a path for higher earning potential but requires strong business and marketing skills.
7. Crisis Connections (Via Contract): While based in Seattle, this 24/7 crisis line is a major employer for remote social workers. Many Everett residents work from home for this organization, providing a flexible option.

Hiring Trends: There is a consistent demand for Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSW). There's also a push for bilingual (Spanish, Vietnamese, Somali) social workers in community health and school settings. The county and hospital jobs are competitive, so having your Washington state license in hand before applying is a significant advantage.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State licensure is a non-negotiable step for most professional social work roles. The process is managed by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) - Health Professions Licensing Board.

Key Pathways & Requirements:

• Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW): This is your temporary license while you accrue supervised hours. To qualify, you need a Master of Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program and to pass the ASWB Clinical Exam (or Associate exam). The application fee is approximately $160, and the exam fee is around $260.
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): This requires completing 2,500 hours of post-graduate supervised experience over a minimum of 3 years, with at least 1,500 hours in direct client contact. You must also receive 100 hours of supervision (can be individual or group). After meeting these requirements, you apply for the LCSW exam (ASWB Clinical), which costs around $260. The license application fee is $215.
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW): This is the highest level, allowing for independent practice and supervision of others. It requires an additional 2,500 hours of supervised experience (post-LCSW) and passing another exam.

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Immediate (0-1 month): If you have an MSW, apply for the ASW license immediately. This can take a few weeks to process.
2. Short-term (1-6 months): Start seeking a supervisor. In Everett, many experienced LCSWs offer supervision for a fee (typically $50-$100/hour). You can find supervisors through the Washington Association of Social Workers (WASW) or local NASW chapters.
3. Mid-term (6 months - 3 years): Begin accruing hours. A full-time job in a clinical setting (like a hospital or community clinic) will count toward your hours.
4. Long-term (3+ years): Apply for your LCSW license once you meet the hour requirements.

Insider Tip: Washington is a licensure portability state, meaning if you're already licensed in another state with comparable requirements, the process may be simplified. However, you must still apply to the WA DOH and prove your credentials meet their standards. Always check their website for the most current requirements, as they can change.

Best Neighborhoods for Social Workers

Living in Everett means choosing a neighborhood that balances commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s breakdown:

1. North Everett (Waterfront/Historic District):

   • Vibe: Historic, walkable, with a growing food and brewery scene. Close to the Providence hospital campus.
   • Commute: Walkable to the hospital. Easy access to I-5 for other jobs.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,900 - $2,200/month. You pay a premium for location and charm.
   • Best For: Social workers who value a walkable urban feel and work at Providence or downtown.

2. Mill Creek:

   • Vibe: Master-planned suburb with a central "town center," parks, and a family-friendly atmosphere. More affordable than North Everett.
   • Commute: 15-20 minutes to central Everett. Easy highway access.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,650 - $1,900/month.
   • Best For: Those who want suburban peace, good schools, and more space for their money.

3. Silver Lake:

   • Vibe: A quiet, residential neighborhood in southeast Everett. Centered around the beautiful Silver Lake Park.
   • Commute: 15-25 minutes to most Everett employers, but traffic on Evergreen Way can be slow.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,500 - $1,750/month.
   • Best For: Social workers who love the outdoors, want a quieter pace, and are budget-conscious.

4. Brier/Mountlake Terrace:

   • Vibe: A bit more upscale, with a mix of single-family homes and townhomes. Feels like a neighborhood, not a suburb.
   • Commute: 20-30 minutes to Everett, but easier access to Seattle/Bellevue if you need to commute there occasionally.
   • Rent (1BR): $1,700 - $2,000/month.
   • Best For: Those willing to pay a bit more for a nicer community and who might need to commute south for other opportunities.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-5 and Evergreen Way (State Route 99) can be brutal during rush hour. If you work at Providence, living in North Everett or Mill Creek is ideal. If you work for the county or in schools scattered across the county, a more central location like Silver Lake or Brier provides a better balance.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Everett, career growth for social workers isn't about dramatic salary jumps, but about specialization and moving into leadership or private practice.

• Specialty Premiums: Obtaining your LCSW or LICSW is the single biggest factor in salary increase. Specializing in high-demand areas can also boost income:

  • Medical Social Work (Hospital): Often pays a premium of 5-10% over generalist roles due to the complex, fast-paced environment.
  • Therapist in Private Practice: This offers the highest earning potential. Establishing a practice in Everett can lead to a fee-for-service income that far exceeds the median salary, but it requires building a client base and handling business overhead.
  • Program Management/Directors: Moving from a direct service role to managing a program (e.g., at a nonprofit or county agency) can push your salary into the $75,000 - $90,000+ range.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Direct Service to Specialist: School social worker -> Crisis intervention specialist.
  2. Clinical to Management: Hospital social worker -> Manager of Social Work.
  3. Public Sector to Private: County case manager -> Private practice therapist.
  4. Agency to Private Practice: This is a common path for those seeking autonomy and higher income.

• 10-Year Outlook: With 10-Year Job Growth: 7%, the field is stable. The demand will be driven by the aging population (more medical social work), behavioral health needs in schools, and ongoing homelessness and addiction challenges. Social workers with strong clinical skills (LCSW/LICSW) and experience with technology (telehealth) will be most in demand. However, wage growth may be slow, tied to state and county budget cycles. The key to growth here is specialization and credentialing.

The Verdict: Is Everett Right for You?

Here’s a balanced look at the pros and cons of pursuing a social work career in Everett.

Pros	Cons
Stable Job Market: Steady demand in hospitals, schools, and government.	Salary vs. Cost of Living: The $63,233 median salary is stretched thin by a $1,864 average rent.
No State Income Tax: All your earnings go toward your take-home pay.	High Housing Costs: Buying a home is nearly impossible on a single social worker's salary.
Proximity to Seattle: Easy access to a larger job market, networking events, and cultural amenities.	Traffic & Commute: I-5 congestion is a daily reality for many.
Diverse Client Populations: Work with refugees, veterans, low-income families, and aging populations.	Limited High-End Specialization: Fewer top-tier research or niche clinical roles compared to Seattle.
Strong Community Nonprofits: Engaged organizations tackling real local issues.	Slower Pace of Change: Bureaucracy in large institutions (county, hospital) can be frustrating.

Final Recommendation:
Everett is a practical, not a glamorous, choice for a social worker. It's ideal for someone who is just starting out, values stability and meaningful work over high earnings, and is comfortable with a moderately high cost of living. It's a great place to get your license, gain solid clinical hours, and build a career foundation.

It's NOT the best choice if your primary goal is to buy a home quickly or achieve a high income. For those goals, you'd likely need to commute to Seattle/Bellevue or consider a different geographic region.

If you are a mid-career professional with your LCSW and are looking for a better work-life balance than Seattle offers, while still having access to quality employers, Everett can be a smart long-term play.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to be licensed before I apply for jobs in Everett?
A: For clinical roles (hospital therapy, counseling), yes, an active ASW or LCSW is often required. For non-clinical roles (case management, outreach), a Master's in Social Work (MSW) may be enough, but licensure is still preferred. It's best to start the licensure process immediately.

Q: Is it possible to work remotely as a social worker in Everett?
A: Absolutely. Telehealth has exploded, and many therapists now work remotely for private practices or agencies based elsewhere. Crisis lines like Crisis Connections also hire remote workers. This is a great way to access higher-paying Seattle-based jobs without commuting.

Q: How competitive is the job market for recent MSW graduates?
A: It's moderately competitive. Entry-level jobs exist, especially in community health and county services, but you'll be competing with other local graduates. Having your ASW license and any internship experience with a local agency (even if it was just a