I am writing to praise and support social workers in South King County and to raise awareness about the inequitable pay these workers receive.

You only need to walk down Cole Street in Enumclaw on Saturday afternoon or talk with a local shop owner to know that the people here care for each other and the place they live. Social workers provide counseling, support, and resources to help people in the community use their strengths to improve their lives. They embody the same message evident in Enumclaw’s clean streets, civic engagement, and town pride.

Yet, the economic reality is that a social worker with a master’s degree cannot afford to live in the community they serve. The average case manager’s hourly salary is $24.92 in King County, but the livable wage for a single adult with two children in Enumclaw is $45.11 per hour.

As Enumclaw continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and address population growth, the need for social workers who live and work in the community will also increase. But frontline public health workers are leaving the profession at an alarming rate. In 2020 14% of agency social workers left for private practice, 14% plan to change their careers, and 10% plan to retire.

Please consider the future of professional social work support in Enumclaw.

Nicole Butler

Black Diamond