PA · Scranton · Updated October 15, 2026

Clinical Social Worker jobs in Scranton, PA

Pay for clinical social workers in the Scranton area centers on $29.70 per hour, or about $61,770 a year. The lower quarter earns under $26.76 and the upper quarter over $34.85. That ranks 244th of 370 U.S. metro areas for clinical social worker pay, and 237th of 333 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Scranton. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Scranton.

Clinical Social Worker pay in Scranton, PA

The metro median is 2% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $30.30 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.74 per hour. BLS counts about 260 healthcare social workers employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre metro area, 1.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.84).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$22.12$46,01032% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$26.76$55,66018% below U.S. median
Median$29.70$61,7709% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$34.85$72,4906% above U.S. median
Top 10%$39.36$81,87020% above U.S. median

How Scranton ranks

  • 244th of 370 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 237th of 333 after adjusting for local prices
  • 9th of 15 Pennsylvania metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Healthcare Social Workers (SOC 21-1022), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Scranton

  • Overall prices in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre run 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 33% below the U.S. average (index 67.0).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $29.70 median hour buys what $31.75 buys at the national price level, 3% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Estimate your Scranton paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,069
  • Per year: $53,460
  • Per month: $4,455

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Scranton

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel clinical social worker assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Clinical Social Worker roles in Pennsylvania

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Scranton as they open.

All Clinical Social Worker jobs in Pennsylvania

Hospitals in Scranton

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Scranton, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of clinical social workers.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Geisinger-Community Medical Center
Scranton, PA
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Regional Hospital Of Scranton
Scranton, PA
Acute careFor-profit2 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Mental health shortage areas in Lackawanna County

HRSA lists 2 active mental health shortage designations that include Lackawanna County (2 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 15 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for social workers and other mental health clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Clinical Social Worker pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Bethlehem, PA56 mi$30.29/hr79,453
Allentown, PA57 mi$30.29/hr127,138
Reading, PA75 mi$29.91/hr96,000
Plainfield, NJ85 mi$37.12/hr56,507
Paterson, NJ85 mi$37.12/hr160,463
Clifton, NJ87 mi$37.12/hr90,322

Clinical Social Worker jobs in Pennsylvania · Clinical Social Worker jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Pennsylvania

MSW degree. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Pennsylvania taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Pennsylvania state guide

Other healthcare roles in Scranton

Scranton city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do clinical social workers make in Scranton, PA?

Clinical Social Workers in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre metro area have a median pay of $29.70 per hour, about $61,770 a year. The middle half earn between $26.76 and $34.85 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Scranton a good place for clinical social workers once cost of living is counted?

Scranton--Wilkes-Barre ranks 237th of 333 metro areas for clinical social worker pay after adjusting for local prices, and 244th of 370 before adjusting. Overall prices run 6% below the U.S. average.

Where do clinical social workers work in Scranton?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Scranton, led by Geisinger-Community Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Pennsylvania license to work in Scranton as a clinical social worker?

MSW degree. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Scranton in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 2 active mental health shortage designations that include Lackawanna County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Scranton?

The federal per diem benchmark in Scranton is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place clinical social workers in Scranton?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Scranton and across Pennsylvania. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Scranton.

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Pay report · Social Worker near Scranton, PA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Social Worker pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your Pennsylvania list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Geisinger Medical CenterDanville, PA · 1 wage offer$27.81/ hr$28–$28
  • Wellspan HealthMount Gretna, PA · 1 wage offer$26.77/ hr$27–$27
  • El Camino HealthMountain View, CA · 4 postings$66.11/ hr$57–$75
  • Veterans Health AdministrationLos Angeles, CA · 13 postings$63.41/ hr$32–$77

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your Pennsylvania list

2What they are offering now

Low$29Median$43.00High$61

368 Social Worker postings with published pay in the US, 303 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 2 Social Worker roles

  1. Licensed Social Worker / LSWPermanent
    $44.00–$48.00/ hour
    BrightSpring Health Services · King of Prussia, PA · posted 15 days ago
  2. Medical Social WorkerPermanent
    $28.00–$35.00/ hour
    Amedisys · Lancaster, PA · posted 30 days ago

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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