Salary for Social Workers in Veterans Affairs

By Madison Hawthorne

The Veteran Health Administration employs licensed masters-level social workers from an accredited university to provide clinical services for veteran patients. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management oversees the General Schedule pay scale for federal employees with an annual salary based on experience. Positions outside the continental U.S. are provided a cost-of-living allowance rather than a salary. Social workers employed by independent personnel systems should consult the hiring agency for other pay scales different from the GS. Agencies may offer career advancement, employee childcare, employee health wellness programs and practicum field placements.

Higher pay scales require post-MSW experience gained prior to graduation, however field placements will not count toward meeting fulfillments. Fellowships or post-graduate training will count toward meeting grade requirements if training aligns with the position qualifications and is at the level below the grade requirement of the position for which the applicant is applying.

The GS-9 grade for 2009 is the entry-level social worker position with a starting annual salary of $40,949. The step increase is $1,365 with a maximum salary of $53,234. This social worker generally has less than one year post-graduate experience, but meets the knowledge, skills and abilities to provide psychosocial care with supervision. Social workers with more experience may work at a higher step within the GS-9 grade.

The GS-11 grade for 2009 is the full performance level social worker position with a starting annual salary of $49,544. The step increase is $1,651 with a maximum salary of $64,403. This social worker has a minimum of one year post-graduate health care experience and must have a license as an independent practitioner. A doctoral degree in social work can replace the post-graduate experience requirement.

The GS-12 grade for 2009 is the advanced social work level with a starting annual salary of $59,383. The step increase is $1,979 with a maximum salary of $77,194. Social workers have an advanced level licensure requiring a clinical examination and two years experience in a specialized field of practice.

The GS-13 and GS-14 grades for 2009 are program administrators with pay scales determined by required knowledge, skills and abilities. This manager may have an additional post-master's degree. The GS-13 grade has a starting annual salary of $70,615, a step increase of $2,354 and maximum salary of $91,801. The GS-14 grade for 2009 has an annual salary of $83,445, a step increase of $2,782 and maximum salary of $108,483.

Vacancies for the Veteran Health Administration provide pay ranges. Current pay scale listings for federal positions are available at the federal U.S. Office of Personnel Management website. You can also visit USAJOBS.gov to find social work job opportunities.

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