Social Services · Dallas, TX

Social Worker Salary in Dallas, TX (2026)

Median Social Worker salary in Dallas is approximately $54,500/year — 1.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Dallas

$54,500
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$26
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$2,096
Monthly
$4,542
Annual (gross)
$54,500
vs Texas state average
State avg: $53,400
+$1,100
vs US national
National median: $55,000
-$500

After-tax estimate

$42,701
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$54,500
Federal tax (~14%)
−$7,630
FICA (7.65%)
−$4,169
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$42,701
Monthly take-home
$3,558
For exact take-home, use our Dallas Paycheck Calculator.
Social Worker salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Dallas
Nashville, TN0.99×$54,500+$0
Colorado Springs, CO0.99×$54,500+$0
Bakersfield, CA0.99×$54,500+$0
St. Petersburg, FL0.99×$54,500+$0
Madison, WI0.99×$54,500+$0

Social Worker salaries in Dallas, TX

The estimated median Social Worker salary in Dallas, Texas is $54,500/year, working out to approximately $26/hour at full-time, $2,096 per biweekly paycheck, or $4,542/month before taxes. Dallas's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.99× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($53,400), Dallas pays about $1,100 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Dallas

Of the gross $54,500, you take home roughly $42,701 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Dallas has no local income tax

That works out to about $3,558/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Dallas Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Dallas pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Dallas typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Dallas employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Social Worker Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Dallas Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Social Worker salary in Dallas?
The estimated median Social Worker salary in Dallas, Texas is $54,500 per year, or approximately $26/hour at standard full-time. Dallas sits 1.0% below the US national average for this role.
Dallas vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Dallas: $54,500. Texas state average for Social Worker: $53,400. Difference: +$1,100 (2.1%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Dallas have a city income tax?
No, Dallas has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Dallas's cost of living relative to the US average. Dallas's multiplier is 0.99× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Social Worker in Dallas?
Estimate: $42,701/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Dallas local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Dallas Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.