U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) / Department of Veterans Affairs / Social Work

Job-title file

Social Work

Assess client needs, develop service plans, and connect people with support resources.

21,363 employees hold this title in Department of Veterans Affairs. Median total compensation for the role is $103,555, above the department median of $88,751.

Employees: 21,363
Total payroll: $2.2B
Role median: $103,555
Agency median: $88,751
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$0$156,821+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 21,363 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Social Work pay vs. the United States

Across all employers in the United States, the median wage for Social Workers, All Other — about 62,930 people — is $71,900. Department of Veterans Affairs pays a median base salary of $103,474 for this role, 44% above that figure — about the 80th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Veterans Affairs sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$43,620

$51,900

$71,900

$97,040

$115,610

Department of Veterans Affairs median · $103,474

The bar is the range of annual wages for Social Workers, All Other across every employer in the United States, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Veterans Affairs’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

Computed over the 21,108 of 21,363 people in this role paid at least $25,000 in base salary. The rest are part-year or part-time records, whose actual pay isn’t comparable to a full-time annual wage.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Veterans Affairs is $103,555, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare departments

This role across U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)

Social Work is held in 11 U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense) departments. In Department of Veterans Affairs, the median of $103,555 ranks #8 of 11.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Department of Homeland Security

$145,862 · 2

Department of State

$145,489 · 13

U.S. Agency for International Development

$144,042 · 3

Department of Justice

$142,566 · 11

Court Services and Offendr Supervsn Agy

$129,759 · 1

Peace Corps

$118,675 · 1

Department of Health and Human Services

$103,993 · 117

Department of Interior

$95,657 · 51

Armed Forces Retirement Home

$89,051 · 6

Department of Agriculture

$74,972 · 19

Median total compensation for the Social Work role in other U.S. Federal Government (non-Defense)departments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 37

Danielle Kuhn

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,660

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,660
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,660
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Madison
Work county: Dane
Work state: Wisconsin

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,660
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 552780025
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Danielle Kuhn holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Madison, Wisconsin. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,660. Their pay grade is 13.

Alicia Barrens

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,623

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,623
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,623
Pay grade: 11
Work city: Fairfield
Work county: Solano
Work state: California

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,623
Basic Pay (before locality): $74,527
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 061260095
Length of Service (Years): 6
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Alicia Barrens holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Fairfield, California. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,623. Their pay grade is 11.

Jenny Gano

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,611

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,611
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,611
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Washington
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,611
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 051310143
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Jenny Gano holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,611. Their pay grade is 13.

Amy Tucker

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,611

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,611
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,611
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Washington
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,611
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 051310143
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Amy Tucker holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,611. Their pay grade is 13.

Kelly Kirby

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,611

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,611
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,611
Pay grade: 13
Work city: Fayetteville
Work county: Washington
Work state: Arkansas

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,611
Basic Pay (before locality): $97,373
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 051310143
Length of Service (Years): 15
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Kelly Kirby serves as a Social Work based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,611. They are classified at grade 13.

Tarrance Barbee

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,535

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,535
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,535
Pay grade: 13
Work city: New York - Bronx
Work county: Bronx
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,535
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170005
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tarrance Barbee works as a Social Work for Department of Veterans Affairs based in New York - Bronx, New York. Tarrance earned $125,535 in 2024. Their pay grade is 13.

Nadine Mass

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,535

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,535
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,535
Pay grade: 13
Work city: New York - Bronx
Work county: Bronx
Work state: New York

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,535
Basic Pay (before locality): $91,471
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 364170005
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Nadine Mass is a Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in New York - Bronx, New York. 2024 total compensation came to $125,535. They are classified at grade 13.

Steven Deming

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,525

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,525
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,525
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fort Meade
Work county: Meade
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,525
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 461025093
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Steven Deming holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Fort Meade, South Dakota. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,525. Their pay grade is 14.

Kay Ermish

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,525

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,525
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,525
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Fort Meade
Work county: Meade
Work state: South Dakota

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,525
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 461025093
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Kay Ermish serves as a Social Work based in Fort Meade, South Dakota. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,525. They are classified at grade 14.

Katherine Dielman

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,514

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,514
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,514
Pay grade: 14
Work city: Danville
Work county: Vermilion
Work state: Illinois

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,514
Basic Pay (before locality): $104,604
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 172220183
Length of Service (Years): 12
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Katherine Dielman holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Danville, Illinois. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,514. Their pay grade is 14.

Roshandra Swan

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,492

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,492
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,846
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Roshandra Swan works as a Social Work for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Roshandra earned $125,492 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.

James Ross

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,492

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,492
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,846
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 10
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, James Ross serves as a Social Work based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,492. They are classified at grade 12.

Alesia Bishop

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,492

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,492
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,846
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 11
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Alesia Bishop serves as a Social Work based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,492. They are classified at grade 12.

Janet Michels

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,492

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,492
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,846
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 9
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Janet Michels is a Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2024 total compensation came to $125,492. They are classified at grade 12.

Marilyn Ogbuli

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,492

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,492
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,846
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 17
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Marilyn Ogbuli holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,492. Their pay grade is 12.

Kevin Stevenson

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,492

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,492
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,492
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Shreveport
Work county: Caddo
Work state: Louisiana

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,492
Basic Pay (before locality): $86,846
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 222130017
Length of Service (Years): 5
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Kevin Stevenson is a Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Shreveport, Louisiana. 2024 total compensation came to $125,492. They are classified at grade 12.

Elizabeth Fenstermacher

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,491

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,491
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,491
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Lebanon
Work county: Lebanon
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,491
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 424340075
Length of Service (Years): 14
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Elizabeth Fenstermacher holds the role of Social Work at Department of Veterans Affairs based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In 2024, their total compensation was $125,491. Their pay grade is 12.

Charlee Redick

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,491

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,491
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,491
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Lebanon
Work county: Lebanon
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,491
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 424340075
Length of Service (Years): 13
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

At Department of Veterans Affairs, Charlee Redick serves as a Social Work based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Their 2024 pay totaled $125,491. They are classified at grade 12.

Tammy Shay

Social Work/Department of Veterans Affairs

2024 total comp

$125,491

Sub-department: Veterans Health Administration
Base pay: $125,491
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $125,491
Pay grade: 12
Work city: Lebanon
Work county: Lebanon
Work state: Pennsylvania

Source-specific fields

Adjusted Basic Pay (incl. locality): $125,491
Basic Pay (before locality): $96,770
Country: United States
Duty Station Code: 424340075
Length of Service (Years): 8
Occupation Code (OPM): 0185
Pay Plan (OPM): GS

Tammy Shay works as a Social Work for Department of Veterans Affairs based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Tammy earned $125,491 in 2024. Their pay grade is 12.