GovernmentUpdated Q1 2026

Social Worker Salary
in Chesapeake, VA

Help individuals and families cope with challenges and connect to community resources. Median salary in Chesapeake: $54K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$54K
per year
Take-home: $35K

Salary range in Chesapeake

Entry level (25th)$39,000
Median (50th)$54,000
Senior (75th)$71,000
Top earner (90th)$90,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Chesapeake, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Chesapeake

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

2% discount vs national median

Social Workers in Chesapeake earn approximately 2% lower than the US national median for this role — a $1,000 discount on annual base salary. Chesapeake's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 98 (US avg = 100).

Rent eats 48% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Chesapeake ($1,400/mo) consumes approximately 48% of an after-tax median Social Worker salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($71K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Chesapeake

Median salary
$54K
annual
Take-home pay
$35K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,400
per month
YoY growth
+3.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Chesapeake Social Worker to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $54K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Chesapeake

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Social Worker salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$45K$49K$53K$57K$61K201920212023202520272029
2026
$55K
projected
2027
$57K
projected
2028
$58K
projected
2029
$60K
projected
2030
$61K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$54,000+$0
2028 projected$54,000+$0
2029 projected$54,000+$0
2030 projected$54,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Social Worker Salary in Chesapeake, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Social Worker salary in Chesapeake, VA is $54,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Chesapeake–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Social Worker in Chesapeake

Entry-level Social Workers in Chesapeake with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $39,000 and $54,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $54,000 to $71,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $71,000 to $90,000 or more.

Cost of living in Chesapeake for Social Workers

Chesapeake has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Chesapeake than the national average. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Social Worker

Bachelor's or Master's in Social Work; LCSW licensure. 20% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Social Worker salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Chesapeake (current)$54K98
Virginia Beach$58K98
Norfolk$52K95
Richmond$55K98
Newport News$52K95
Arlington$74K148