Fields of Social Work for 2025: Explore Your Best Career Path as a Social Worker

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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With the continuing worldwide increases in issues involving income inequality, social injustice, gender inequality, substance abuse, child support and child custody, racism, gender discrimination, geriatric care, incarceration and the criminal justice system, military veterans, and many other social issues, the need for social workers cannot be understated.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs the 2021 median pay at $50,390 per year and estimates a faster-than-average growth of 9% from 2021-31, and an increase in employment of 64,000 persons (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Social work is a promising career path that pays decently and offers rewarding personal fulfillment in doing good for others.

This article will explain how you can navigate the numerous career paths and opportunities in different fields of social work. Utilizing such metrics as salaries, industry type, skill set, job prospects and outlook, and others, our team of experts at Research.com has analyzed the latest data on salaries and positions in various industries employing social workers to come up with this list of career paths.

Fields of Social Work Table of Contents

1. What is social work?
2. Skills Required for Social Work
3. Degrees in Social Work for 2025
4. Social Work Job Outlook
5. Social Work Career Paths
6. Social Work Internship and Fieldwork Opportunities
7. Social Work Volunteer Opportunities
8. How can social workers manage personal stress and prevent burnout?
9. What are the key ethical considerations in professional social work?
10. Can Affordable Online MSW Programs Enhance Career Growth?
11. How can social workers expand their expertise and gain competitive advantages in the field?
12. What challenges do social workers face in their careers?
13. What are the best educational paths for aspiring social workers?
14. The Role of Education in Advancing Social Work Careers
15. How does obtaining an advanced degree impact social work compensation?
16. Are Accelerated Online MSW Programs Worth Considering for Fast-Tracking Your Career?
17. Can affordable online doctoral programs bolster your career sustainability?
18. Can Professional Networking and Mentorship Amplify Your Career Success?
19. Future Trends in Social Work

What is social work?

Social work focuses on enhancing the quality of life and well-being of individuals and communities, especially those that are marginalized, living in poverty, are at risk, and are vulnerable to risk. It has many social work career fields that it integrates to, encompassing academia, government, policy-making, security, criminal justice, sociology, human behavior, and many others. It takes a holistic approach to improving the lives of people and their communities through these fields of social work.

Skills Required for Social Work

Technical skills

Crisis intervention skills

Crisis intervention works to reduce the intensity of an individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and behavioral reactions to a crisis in order to help them go back to normal levels of functioning. Social workers are in a position to be interventionists for people who are on the brink of harming others, self-harm, or suicide and serve as the last line of defense for them.

This is also often risky for social workers as they are in direct contact with the patient and may be harmed physically as well. They teach patients better coping strategies and attempt to have their immediate physical and emotional needs met. As 60% of intimate partner homicides or killings are rooted in past family violence (Ghelani, 2022), they must also be able to respond quickly.

Patient counseling skills

Combining accurate scientific analysis with empathy in counseling clients while observing client privacy laws is a tricky juggling act but is still an essential skill for social workers. Telling patients what to do, what not to do, and how to do them are just recommendations we can give them, but convincing them to follow our recommendations is not easy. Good patient counseling skills make it easy for them to understand what the problem is and how to work to solve them.

Deductive and inductive reasoning skills

Deductive reasoning, the ability to apply general principles to specific problems in order to produce logical answers and inductive reasoning, the ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions are important skills in discerning the truth. Often, children subjected to sexual abuse and rape victims have repressed memories that are hard for them to express, and determining the right questions and model diagnostic answers is crucial to helping abuse victims.

Critical thinking

It is quite rare that patients, clients, or victims open up to social workers accurately or completely, and all the details and general information they tell us must be viewed through the lens of critical thinking. Critical thinking is also necessary for analyzing and assessing the latest recommended therapies and interventions, especially if they are new research findings. One must be able to read research papers and determine the scope and limitations of the study with a view on whether to recommend new therapies and to what limit or scale.

Research skills

Research skills include critically analyzing scientific studies and new or alternative therapy methods including medical, psychological, or non-traditional approaches to make sure that they are safe, effective, and scientifically sound. These skills also include physically and psychologically assessing patients on the veracity or non-veracity of their claims, especially important in family and child abuse cases, among others.

Decision-making skills

Decision-making is a critical skill that spells the difference between life and death or a good life and a bad life for a patient. One’s quick and accurate response to crises decides whether a child should be separated from their family and placed into a foster home, which patients to recommend for self-isolation, or which hospital and medical specialist to refer someone to for example.

Counseling and Psychotherapy skills

Counseling and psychotherapy are methods utilized by LSWs to diagnose and treat emotional problems and mental health conditions in patients and are essential in beginning treatment of patients. Accurately diagnosing what is wrong or causing mental health problems is crucial to the degree and speed by which they get better. You will need a license to practice as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Personal skills

Aside from IQ and technical skills, another important component of a social worker’s abilities is known as “soft skills". These refer to intangible and innate excellent people skills. Social workers need to be able to communicate well, empathize with their clients, and remain objective and dispassionate to maintain professionalism and non-partiality. The following characteristics are necessary for everyone who wants to do social work:

Empathy

Empathy is one’s capacity to understand another person’s thoughts and the ability to feel what they feel in a given situation. It is an important trait to have in order to effectively listen, diagnose a patient’s or client’s condition, and evaluate and choose the correct interventions to recommend. Empathy also helps in dealing with colleagues who need help or are suffering from burnout. This is an inherent skill that cannot be taught like a class subject, so individuals with natural empathy are a great find. It is also not surprising that more social workers are women as they display much more empathy than men.

Clinical detachment

While empathy is important, it is also crucial to be impartial and professional in dealing with clients, making psychological or medical diagnoses, choosing providers and support avenues, and recommending therapies or interventions. One has to keep oneself detached or distant from the patient’s situation no matter how much empathy one tends to feel in order to best help them with the most objective, correct, and effective methods of intervention.

Active listening

Active listening is a skill where one aims to comprehend and pinpoint a client’s needs through both verbal and non-verbal communication. This is done by asking the appropriate questions, paying close attention, remembering what has been said, and analyzing what the client said and did not say. This skill is honed through years of practice and is especially well-developed in women. It allows clinical social workers to diagnose physical, mental, substance, and sexual abuse, especially in women and children who may not be very vocal about mistreatment, but may show the symptoms through non-verbal means.

Emotional Intelligence (emotional quotient)

Emotional Intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) is one’s ability to identify, manage, and control one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. This characteristic allows social workers to remain in control of responses in difficult situations to prevent them from escalating. It also helps them win the trust of clients and helps victims open up to them about problems and even severe trauma. It allows for more effective communication and more optimal decision-making that are affected little by emotions.

Organization skills

Social work is all about service coordination coordinating patients with hospitals or healthcare facilities, insurance providers, disaster preparedness and rescue centers, foster homes, funding organizations, the military, and a huge network of other organizations that help patients. Social workers are also relied upon to recommend medical specialists to patients. Staying on top of schedules, entities, referrals, and patient needs is a difficult but necessary skill to have in order to provide the best patient care options. Also, staying on top of paperwork, paper trails, and fieldwork for assigned cases are key organizational skills.

Resilience and self-care

Social work is very demanding and can be physically and emotionally draining. Its day-to-day stresses can quickly overwhelm social workers and cause burnout. Another unfortunate effect is compassion fatigue wherein one does not have the energy or motivation to help others. One needs to take care of oneself well before he/she is able to take care of others. Self-care and a good network of colleagues and friends are essential to this. Resilience allows one to effectively deal with situations that evoke high levels of physical and emotional stress and are emotionally challenging.

In a review study in the peer-reviewed journal Traumatology, it was found that “406 participants indicated that exposure to client trauma, exposure to frequency of client challenging behaviors, and workers’ own trauma history served as risk factors, whereas personal resilience and organizational support were protective factors in predicting STS [secondary traumatic stress] among DSPs [direct support professionals]. Perceived supervisor support did not significantly impact STS in the regression model." The various fields of social work experience these to varying degrees of severity.

Degrees in Social Work for 2025

Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s in Arts Degree in Social Work (BSW / BASW)

The Bachelor’s or Bachelor’s in Arts Degree in Social Work (BSW/BASW) is the main entry point to many social worker jobs. Typical degrees take 4 years, and several universities have bridging programs for their MSW degrees. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum prerequisite that allows one to take the social worker licensure exam.

The degree endows students with the basic skills and abilities to research and assess information, interview subjects, assess and evaluate subject reliability, perform general problem-solving tasks, manage patient cases and service planning, handle crisis intervention, do community outreach and organizing, support advocacies, and find networking opportunities. Social work degree costs, requirements, and job opportunities enable one to plan out a degree path.

Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Degree

The Master’s in Social Work degree typically takes 2 years and is the branching point in one’s career that allows students to choose their area of specialization. What is MSW but numerous fields of study offered as specific tracks in MSW degree programs. Most programs allow students to choose a few elective courses in the direction they want to go, ranging from more technical subjects like accounting, AI, or law, and the more sociology-oriented electives such as human behavior or psychology. This allows them to pursue diverse job roles, among which can be in macro social work.

Some popular MSW tracks include clinical/direct practice, community development and social work, community organization, planning and administration, management/administration, and policy, children, youth, and family social work, mental health and adult social work, and mental health and substance misuse. You can take most of these courses by enrolling in online social work degree programs.

Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Degree

The Doctorate in Social Work is the terminal degree in this profession and centers mostly on applying psychological, medical, or clinical research to social work, social policy analysis, and social work practice implementation and supervision. Many graduates take up academic positions where they do research, and many also join organizations including the military and government to research the policy and law-related aspects of social work. They train the next generation of social workers and provide direction for law enforcement and policymakers on effective legislation and social work approaches.

A closely-related degree is a human service degree. Note that all of the above degrees offer social work scholarships and loans through various organizations. Do check them with the program you are interested in.

Social Worker Licensure

Although there are many social work career options, in order to practice as a social worker, one must pass the social work licensing examinations developed by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). The exam is designed to measure the competence of a social worker to practice ethically and safely in order to protect the public, and social workers need to meet the standards set by the state or province in which they intend to practice. Social work licensure requirements vary by state, but state reciprocity laws allow one to practice in more than one state as long as his/her license is active and he/she is in good standing in the home state.

Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) are authorized to practice social work in healthcare facilities, clinics, hospitals, and other facilities; those with no license are not allowed to practice social work, especially in a clinical setting. Licenses need to be renewed every few years depending on the state, and most renewals are made online. A continuing education requirement (a certain number of hours of education and professional training) is required to retain licensure in social work jobs.

The licensing exam itself is quite tough and is designed to be so. Expect to spend time and money to review for the exam; there are many excellent review resources and review centers that can help you. For licensure, jobs in psychology field preparation is essential.

Many states also require a separate Child Welfare Employee Licensure (CWEL) exam for those who provide or supervise direct child welfare services for the DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) and its affiliated agencies. Background checks are required and performed within the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System and the sex offender registry ().

Social Work Job Outlook

For social work careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of social workers is $50,390 per year or $24.23 per hour. The number of jobs related to social work in 2021 in the U.S. was 708,100. Social work has a job growth outlook of 9% for 2021-31, which is faster than the average for all job growth. There will be an expected increase of 64,000 new employees for the time period of 2021-31 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).

Here are some additional facts about social work career paths: MSW salaries are $13,000+ higher than BSW salaries and PhD & DSWs earn $20-$25,000 more than MSWs. Male MSWs earn $1,200 more than female MSWs, but surprisingly, female PhDs earn $7,000 more than male PhDs. Research organizations, government agencies, and hospital inpatient facilities are where MSWs earn more; MSWs also earn higher salaries in large cities or in urban clusters (Socialworkers.org, 2023).

Social Work Career Paths

The following list enumerates the major fields and social work job outlook and salaries. All salaries are estimates and vary depending on the actual work required, location, degree of risk (including hazard pay rates), years of experience of the employee in social work and related fields, qualifications, and the degree of difficulty of the work. Note: all salary values are best estimates at the time of writing.

Academia and Research

Teaching and research are very fulfilling and rewarding parts of academia, and the training of the next generation of social workers is not something to be taken lightly. Research work helps the field stay abreast of new developments in technology, government policy, international law, and advances in psychiatry and treatments for mental health and substance use problems, among many others.

Professors can expect to earn salaries starting from assistant professor up to full professorship. The average annual salaries are $67,150 for assistant professors, $82,462 for associate professors, and $106,044 for professors.

Part-time social work faculty with a Master’s Degree can expect an average of $3,663 per baccalaureate-level course taught, while faculty with a research doctorate degree can make $4,842 per course. For higher degree courses, the latter can make from $3,849 to $4,357 per course (Council on Social Work Education, 2021).

• Median Annual Salary:Researcher /Research Assistant: $31,739 (bachelor’s degree); $59,000 (MSW)Public Health Educator: $36,994Assistant professor: $67,150Associate professor: $82,462Professor: $106,044
• Researcher /Research Assistant: $31,739 (bachelor’s degree); $59,000 (MSW)
• Public Health Educator: $36,994
• Assistant professor: $67,150
• Associate professor: $82,462
• Professor: $106,044
• Outlook: +12% overall growth (2020-2030)
• Education Requirements:Research Assistant: BASW, BSW, or MSW degreeProfessor-level: Ph.D. in Social Work or related fields
• Research Assistant: BASW, BSW, or MSW degree
• Professor-level: Ph.D. in Social Work or related fields
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW, optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsResearch AssistantResearcherPublic Health Educator Mid-level positionsResearcherLicensed clinical social worker (LCSW)Assistant professorSenior level positionsLicensed clinical social worker (LCSW)Associate professorProfessor
• Entry-level positionsResearch AssistantResearcherPublic Health Educator
• Research Assistant
• Researcher
• Public Health Educator
• Mid-level positionsResearcherLicensed clinical social worker (LCSW)Assistant professor
• Researcher
• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
• Assistant professor
• Senior level positionsLicensed clinical social worker (LCSW)Associate professorProfessor
• Licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)
• Associate professor
• Professor

Administration and Management

Administration and management roles are key to matching the right human resources with individual and community needs. Administrators manage their social workers and keep on top of policies mandated by the government, security services, and international law. They liaise with government institutions, military organizations, healthcare facilities, hospitals and clinics, and other organizations to help facilitate the best care for patients and clients.

Aside from these, they also enforce rules and monitor employees to ensure that they uphold the highest social work ethics and values. They also have to make sure that funding and finances are secure and allocated correctly. There are various positions one can assume in admin and management in social work, and there is always a place for managers looking for opportunities in this area.

• Median Annual Salary:Program Director, Non-Profit: $61,764Social Services Director: $83,718Executive Director: $96,675Chief Operating Officer (COO): $106,889Social Work Supervisor: $54,369Chief Executive Officer (CEO): $139,313
• Program Director, Non-Profit: $61,764
• Social Services Director: $83,718
• Executive Director: $96,675
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): $106,889
• Social Work Supervisor: $54,369
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): $139,313
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements:Director or C-suite level: MSW or DSWAssistant managers: MSW
• Director or C-suite level: MSW or DSW
• Assistant managers: MSW
• Licensure Requirements:Director or C-suite level: optionalAssistant managers: optional
• Director or C-suite level: optional
• Assistant managers: optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsAssistant managerAdministrative assistant Mid-level positionsAssistant managersDeputy manager/administrator Senior level positionsChief Operating Officer (COO)Executive DirectorProgram DirectorSocial Services DirectorC-suite positions
• Entry-level positionsAssistant managerAdministrative assistant
• Assistant manager
• Administrative assistant
• Mid-level positionsAssistant managersDeputy manager/administrator
• Assistant managers
• Deputy manager/administrator
• Senior level positionsChief Operating Officer (COO)Executive DirectorProgram DirectorSocial Services DirectorC-suite positions
• Chief Operating Officer (COO)
• Executive Director
• Program Director
• Social Services Director
• C-suite positions

Advocacy and Community Organizing

A community organizer works towards solving social problems and creating a better world by bringing people together. They are responsible for energizing citizens and democracy at the grassroots level by empowering vulnerable or oppressed populations, fixing broken social systems, and making meaningful changes to people’s lives. Uniting local citizens around a common concern and creating community-building projects, they address issues ranging from preventing crime and reducing toxic waste to fighting social prejudice.

The concept of community health is broad in scope and includes many different elements. Community social workers (CSWs) may decide to concentrate on issues related to family difficulties, economic needs, educational issues, or gaps in physical health. CSWs work together and develop solutions on a local level, focusing on social, economic, and environmental justice.

• Median Annual Salary: $59,787 Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization: $57,451Victim Advocate: $46,157Chief Executive Officer (CEO): $149,792Director of Operations: $56,761Executive Director: $68,282Program Director, Non-Profit: $65,094Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization: $43,786Senior Grant Writer: $57,164Program Officer, Foundation: $86,258Prevention/Intervention Specialist: $41,425Advocacy Director: $91,152Director of Development (Fundraising): $69,647
• Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization: $57,451
• Victim Advocate: $46,157
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): $149,792
• Director of Operations: $56,761
• Executive Director: $68,282
• Program Director, Non-Profit: $65,094
• Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization: $43,786
• Senior Grant Writer: $57,164
• Program Officer, Foundation: $86,258
• Prevention/Intervention Specialist: $41,425
• Advocacy Director: $91,152
• Director of Development (Fundraising): $69,647
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW
• Licensure Requirements: optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsVictim AdvocateProgram Officer, FoundationPrevention/Intervention Specialist Mid-level positionsProgram Manager, Non-Profit OrganizationProgram Coordinator, Non-Profit OrganizationProgram Officer, Foundation Senior level positionsAdvocacy DirectorDirector of Development (Fundraising)Director of OperationsProgram Director, Non-ProfitChief Executive Officer (CEO)Executive Director
• Entry-level positionsVictim AdvocateProgram Officer, FoundationPrevention/Intervention Specialist
• Victim Advocate
• Program Officer, Foundation
• Prevention/Intervention Specialist
• Mid-level positionsProgram Manager, Non-Profit OrganizationProgram Coordinator, Non-Profit OrganizationProgram Officer, Foundation
• Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization
• Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization
• Program Officer, Foundation
• Senior level positionsAdvocacy DirectorDirector of Development (Fundraising)Director of OperationsProgram Director, Non-ProfitChief Executive Officer (CEO)Executive Director
• Advocacy Director
• Director of Development (Fundraising)
• Director of Operations
• Program Director, Non-Profit
• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Executive Director

Aging/Gerontology

According to the Population Reference Bureau, a previously unprecedented trend in the American population is that the 65 and older demographic, currently at 52 million in 2018, is forecast to double in number to 95 million by 2060, increasing from 16 % to 23 % of the total population (Population Reference Bureau, 2019). That is a lot of old people a quarter of the population with a huge shortage of younger people who can take care of them. That means a great need for Geriatric Social Workers (GSWs).

Non-Hispanic whites will decrease from 77% to 55%, indicating an increase in racial diversity as time goes on (Population Reference Bureau, 2019). Especially challenging are the huge racial gaps that must be addressed in order to correctly address race-specific issues and improve the lives of racially diverse people. Jobs will definitely not run out in this area of social work.

• Median Annual Salary: $65,076 Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA): $47,529MSW, Gerontology: $65,000Social Worker, Hospice: $57,952Social Worker (MSW): $47,284Medical Social Worker: $63,000Social Worker: $58,137Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $63,437Case Manager Supervisor: $67,000Admissions Coordinator: $45,674
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA): $47,529
• MSW, Gerontology: $65,000
• Social Worker, Hospice: $57,952
• Social Worker (MSW): $47,284
• Medical Social Worker: $63,000
• Social Worker: $58,137
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $63,437
• Case Manager Supervisor: $67,000
• Admissions Coordinator: $45,674
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: MSW
• Licensure Requirements:  LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsCertified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)Social Worker, HospiceSocial WorkerAdmissions Coordinator Mid-level positionsSocial Worker (MSW)MSW, GerontologySocial Worker (MSW)Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Senior level positionsMedical Social WorkerLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Case Manager Supervisor
• Entry-level positionsCertified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)Social Worker, HospiceSocial WorkerAdmissions Coordinator
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA)
• Social Worker, Hospice
• Social Worker
• Admissions Coordinator
• Mid-level positionsSocial Worker (MSW)MSW, GerontologySocial Worker (MSW)Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Social Worker (MSW)
• MSW, Gerontology
• Social Worker (MSW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Senior level positionsMedical Social WorkerLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Case Manager Supervisor
• Medical Social Worker
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Case Manager Supervisor

Child Welfare

Child welfare social workers (CWSWs) are tasked with protecting vulnerable youth and children. They also assist disadvantaged families to meet the needs of their children. They help provide a safe and loving environment for children through their families and communities, but at the same time, if necessary, they also intervene to protect children from internal or external harm.

CWSWs also arrange for short-term or long-term care for children whose families cannot take care of them. These are very challenging and sometimes dangerous, but also personally rewarding as their success in improving a child’s life or in protecting someone from child abuse and neglect outweighs all other things. CWSWs also coordinate support services for children and parents through resource connections and navigation services.

• Median Annual Salary: Child Welfare Worker: $40,695Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724Psychotherapist: $66,787Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) : $34,761Victim Advocate: $37,115Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351Clinical Social Worker: $54,753Clinical Director: $73,468
• Child Welfare Worker: $40,695
• Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) : $34,761
• Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• Clinical Social Worker: $54,753
• Clinical Director: $73,468
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: MSW
• Licensure Requirements: CWEL, LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsChild Welfare WorkerQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)Victim AdvocateSocial / Human Service Assistant Mid-level positionsPsychotherapistChild Welfare Specialist Senior level positionsClinical Social WorkerClinical Director
• Entry-level positionsChild Welfare WorkerQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)Victim AdvocateSocial / Human Service Assistant
• Child Welfare Worker
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Victim Advocate
• Social / Human Service Assistant
• Mid-level positionsPsychotherapistChild Welfare Specialist
• Psychotherapist
• Child Welfare Specialist
• Senior level positionsClinical Social WorkerClinical Director
• Clinical Social Worker
• Clinical Director

Developmental Disabilities

Developmental disability refers to any impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior especially found in children to young adults. It has been found that one in six children aged 3 to 17 years have one or more developmental disabilities (CDC, 2023). Behavioral psychology salary rates are some of the highest in the industry.

Developmental disability social workers help individuals who have developmental disabilities such as Down Syndrome, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum diseases, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other conditions, and they assist them and their families in managing their day-to-day activities. These include providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families, conducting support groups, and participating in community health planning, development, and evaluation. They also help disadvantaged individuals develop social skills and improve relationships with other people.

• Median Annual Salary: $78,303 Senior Social Worker: $39,848Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724Clinical Director: $73,468Clinical Social Worker: $54,753Patient Advocate: $52,697Prevention / Intervention Specialist: $33,567Psychotherapist: $66,787Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761Social Worker, Hospice: $50,560Vice President (VP), Operations: $94,356
• Senior Social Worker: $39,848
• Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724
• Clinical Director: $73,468
• Clinical Social Worker: $54,753
• Patient Advocate: $52,697
• Prevention / Intervention Specialist: $33,567
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761
• Social Worker, Hospice: $50,560
• Vice President (VP), Operations: $94,356
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: MSW
• Licensure Requirements: CWEL, LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsPatient AdvocatePrevention / Intervention SpecialistQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) Mid-level positionsChild Welfare SpecialistClinical Social WorkerSocial Worker, Hospice Senior level positionsSenior Social WorkerClinical DirectorPsychotherapistVice President (VP), Operations
• Entry-level positionsPatient AdvocatePrevention / Intervention SpecialistQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Patient Advocate
• Prevention / Intervention Specialist
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Mid-level positionsChild Welfare SpecialistClinical Social WorkerSocial Worker, Hospice
• Child Welfare Specialist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Social Worker, Hospice
• Senior level positionsSenior Social WorkerClinical DirectorPsychotherapistVice President (VP), Operations
• Senior Social Worker
• Clinical Director
• Psychotherapist
• Vice President (VP), Operations

Health Care/Medical Social Worker

Medical social workers (MSWs) or clinical social workers (CSWs) help educate patients and their families on diseases and recommended treatments, perform psychosocial evaluations to spot signs of mental or emotional impairment, assist individuals who are distressed or in trouble, and get patients and their families connected with the resources they require.

Because they are licensed, they are the only social workers authorized by law to explain specific treatments and interventions to patients, but they are not authorized to prescribe drugs.

• Median Annual Salary:Admissions Director: $55,709Care Coordinator: $45,638Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA): $32,793Clinical Director: $73,468Clinical Social Worker: $54,753Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): $45,897Live-In Caregiver: $31,880Medical Social Worker: $87,299Medical and Public Health Social Worker: $45,901Nursing Assistant: $36,390Patient Care Technician: $36,607Program Director, Healthcare: $78,159Social Worker, Hospice: $50,560Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351Victim Advocate: $37,115Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761
• Admissions Director: $55,709
• Care Coordinator: $45,638
• Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA): $32,793
• Clinical Director: $73,468
• Clinical Social Worker: $54,753
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): $45,897
• Live-In Caregiver: $31,880
• Medical Social Worker: $87,299
• Medical and Public Health Social Worker: $45,901
• Nursing Assistant: $36,390
• Patient Care Technician: $36,607
• Program Director, Healthcare: $78,159
• Social Worker, Hospice: $50,560
• Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: MSW, DSW
• Licensure Requirements: LSCW
• Career PathsEntry-level positionsLive-In CaregiverMedical and Public Health Social WorkerNursing AssistantPatient Care TechnicianSocial Worker, HospiceSocial / Human Service AssistantVictim AdvocateQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)Mid-level positionsCare CoordinatorCertified Nurse Assistant (CNA)Clinical Social WorkerLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Medical Social WorkerSenior level positionsAdmissions DirectorC-suite positionsClinical DirectorProgram Director, Healthcare
• Entry-level positionsLive-In CaregiverMedical and Public Health Social WorkerNursing AssistantPatient Care TechnicianSocial Worker, HospiceSocial / Human Service AssistantVictim AdvocateQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Live-In Caregiver
• Medical and Public Health Social Worker
• Nursing Assistant
• Patient Care Technician
• Social Worker, Hospice
• Social / Human Service Assistant
• Victim Advocate
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Mid-level positionsCare CoordinatorCertified Nurse Assistant (CNA)Clinical Social WorkerLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN)Medical Social Worker
• Care Coordinator
• Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)
• Clinical Social Worker
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
• Medical Social Worker
• Senior level positionsAdmissions DirectorC-suite positionsClinical DirectorProgram Director, Healthcare
• Admissions Director
• C-suite positions
• Clinical Director
• Program Director, Healthcare

International Social Work

International social workers (ISWs) offer training, counseling, and other forms of support pertaining to international challenges, concentrating on issues including gender inequality, poverty, child labor, natural catastrophes, and conflict and war, among others. They help persons in need all around the world by conveying their needs and requesting aid from for-profit and governmental organizations.

Many government organizations rely on international social workers to supply expertise and skilled personnel to assist in resolving pressing problems like meeting fundamental human needs. Acquiring a second language is beneficial for ISWs.

• Median Annual Salary: $60,818 Case Management: $48,065Intake Coordinator: $42,744Save the Children: $69,000UN: Entry-level (P1-P3) positions: $37,000 to $80,000 plus 65.7% added to cover abroad living costsWHO: $156,173International Rescue Committee: $72,233many other international organizations with different pay scales
• Case Management: $48,065
• Intake Coordinator: $42,744
• Save the Children: $69,000
• UN: Entry-level (P1-P3) positions: $37,000 to $80,000 plus 65.7% added to cover abroad living costs
• plus 65.7% added to cover abroad living costs
• WHO: $156,173
• International Rescue Committee: $72,233
• many other international organizations with different pay scales
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW, DSW, additional language(s) recommended
• Licensure Requirements: optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsIntake CoordinatorSocial WorkerCounselorChild welfare specialist Mid-level positionsCase ManagementRefugee CoordinationLicensed Clinical Social Worker Senior level positionsRefugee Director of OperationsDisaster Management ChiefVP Of OperationsChief Operations Officer
• Entry-level positionsIntake CoordinatorSocial WorkerCounselorChild welfare specialist
• Intake Coordinator
• Social Worker
• Counselor
• Child welfare specialist
• Mid-level positionsCase ManagementRefugee CoordinationLicensed Clinical Social Worker
• Case Management
• Refugee Coordination
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Senior level positionsRefugee Director of OperationsDisaster Management ChiefVP Of OperationsChief Operations Officer
• Refugee Director of Operations
• Disaster Management Chief
• VP Of Operations
• Chief Operations Officer

Justice and Corrections

Corrections social workers play a vital role in correctional institutions by addressing the diverse requirements of both the institution and inmates. They conduct educational programs, tailoring them to prisoners’ needs. They are trained in mental health and frequently facilitate programs for inmates with mental illness and substance abuse issues. They work closely with clinicians to provide hands-on assistance and to facilitate active programs that provide prisoners with the skills necessary for success within the penal system and reintegration into society. Corrections social workers are crucial in reducing recidivism rates resulting from the transition from purely punitive measures toward engagement and rehabilitation.

They are often involved with prisoners from the time of their admission to the time of their release, administering psychological tests to assess mental and physical health and monitoring progress through tests administered at various stages. In addition, they facilitate visitation between prisoners and their families, acting as a bridge between the prison system and third parties associated with the prisoner.

• Median Annual Salary:Prison Social Worker: $72,886 Federal executive branch level: $83,020Local government: $62,450Prevention / Intervention Specialist: $33,567Probation Officer: $61,505Psychotherapist: $66,787Research Associate (Unspecified Type): $64,269Service Coordinator: $32,886Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351Training & Development Specialist: $70,221Training Director: $74,331Vice President (VP), Operations: $94,356Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Prison Social Worker: $72,886 Federal executive branch level: $83,020Local government: $62,450
• Federal executive branch level: $83,020
• Local government: $62,450
• Prevention / Intervention Specialist: $33,567
• Probation Officer: $61,505
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Research Associate (Unspecified Type): $64,269
• Service Coordinator: $32,886
• Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• Training & Development Specialist: $70,221
• Training Director: $74,331
• Vice President (VP), Operations: $94,356
• Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Outlook: 12% (2020-2030)
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsCase officerPrevention / Intervention SpecialistService CoordinatorSocial / Human Service AssistantVictim Advocate Mid-level positionsCase managerProbation OfficerResearch AssociateTraining & Development Specialist Senior level positionsPsychotherapistTraining DirectorVice President (VP), Operations
• Entry-level positionsCase officerPrevention / Intervention SpecialistService CoordinatorSocial / Human Service AssistantVictim Advocate
• Case officer
• Prevention / Intervention Specialist
• Service Coordinator
• Social / Human Service Assistant
• Victim Advocate
• Mid-level positionsCase managerProbation OfficerResearch AssociateTraining & Development Specialist
• Case manager
• Probation Officer
• Research Associate
• Training & Development Specialist
• Senior level positionsPsychotherapistTraining DirectorVice President (VP), Operations
• Psychotherapist
• Training Director
• Vice President (VP), Operations

Mental Health and Clinical Social Work

Similar to MSWs but focusing more on the mental aspects of problems and therapies, mental health social workers have become more important. As models for holistic treatments emphasize its mental component, more practitioners have shifted to mental health as their primary focus. They diagnose patient mental health issues and provide treatment through psychotherapy, for example.

• Median Annual Salary: Mental Health Therapist: $50,217Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $66,683Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727Case Manager: $41,842Social Worker (MSW): $46,634Mental Health Clinician: $52,484Occupational Therapist (OT): $74,843Behavior Therapist: $44,780Mental Health Case Manager: $38,099Psychotherapist: $66,787Program Director, Healthcare: $78,159Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761
• Mental Health Therapist: $50,217
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $66,683
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727
• Case Manager: $41,842
• Social Worker (MSW): $46,634
• Mental Health Clinician: $52,484
• Occupational Therapist (OT): $74,843
• Behavior Therapist: $44,780
• Mental Health Case Manager: $38,099
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Program Director, Healthcare: $78,159
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW, DSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsMental Health Case Assistant ManagerMental Health Case ManagerSocial Worker (MSW)Licensed Professional CounselorQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP) Mid-level positionsMental Health Case ManagerMental Health TherapistBehavior TherapistOccupational Therapist (OT)Psychotherapist Senior level positionsMental Health TherapistLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Mental Health ClinicianProgram Director, Healthcare
• Entry-level positionsMental Health Case Assistant ManagerMental Health Case ManagerSocial Worker (MSW)Licensed Professional CounselorQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Mental Health Case Assistant Manager
• Mental Health Case Manager
• Social Worker (MSW)
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Mid-level positionsMental Health Case ManagerMental Health TherapistBehavior TherapistOccupational Therapist (OT)Psychotherapist
• Mental Health Case Manager
• Mental Health Therapist
• Behavior Therapist
• Occupational Therapist (OT)
• Psychotherapist
• Senior level positionsMental Health TherapistLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Mental Health ClinicianProgram Director, Healthcare
• Mental Health Therapist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Mental Health Clinician
• Program Director, Healthcare

Military and veterans social work

Military and veterans social workers assist veterans in a variety of areas, including family relationships, educational opportunities, housing and employment, health concerns such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, and their unique experiences as women or sexual and racial minorities in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Social workers for the military and veterans implement crisis intervention techniques to aid veterans in coping with crises and establishing long-term needs objectives.

High-risk screening identifies those at high risk of illness or suicide and devises plans to prevent them, whereas discharge planning assists veterans in making arrangements for their return home following their discharge. Evaluation, treatment, and follow-up procedures, as well as long-term case management services, are provided to those who are at high risk of hospitalization, have complex medical issues, and require specialized assistance and support.

• Median Annual Salary:Social Worker, Department of Veteran’s Affairs: $71,666Social Worker, federal government: $83,608.55Social Worker, Veterans Health Administration: $83,502.97Social Worker, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System: $78,667.45Social worker, National Institutes of Health: $107,881.47Social worker, Department of State: $127,312.58Social worker, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration: $52,175.00
• Social Worker, Department of Veteran’s Affairs: $71,666
• Social Worker, federal government: $83,608.55
• Social Worker, Veterans Health Administration: $83,502.97
• Social Worker, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System: $78,667.45
• Social worker, National Institutes of Health: $107,881.47
• Social worker, Department of State: $127,312.58
• Social worker, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Service Administration: $52,175.00
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsvarious Mid-level positionsvarious; follows federal or military pay grades and need Senior level positionsvarious; follows federal or military pay grades and need
• Entry-level positionsvarious
• various
• Mid-level positionsvarious; follows federal or military pay grades and need
• various; follows federal or military pay grades and need
• Senior level positionsvarious; follows federal or military pay grades and need
• various; follows federal or military pay grades and need

Mental Health and Substance Use Social Work

Mental health and substance abuse social workers are essential for assisting people struggling with mental health conditions and substance abuse, providing psychotherapy, counseling, support for substance addiction, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, and physical abuse to clients in individual or group sessions. They also counsel and assist family members in understanding and promoting the client’s health.

They must have a broad knowledge base to effectively carry out their responsibilities. They also educate clients and communities about mental and physical illness, substance misuse, medications, and community resources. Some social workers assume supervisory responsibilities.

• Median Annual Salary:Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: $ 60,130Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727Occupational Therapist (OT): $74,843Victim Advocate: $37,115Case Management: $48,065Prevention / Intervention Specialist: $33,567Clinical Social Worker: $54,753Clinical Director: $73,468Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager: $88,870Psychotherapist: $66,787Physician Assistant (PA): $106,994Education Program Director: $65,246General / Operations Manager: $80,841
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: $ 60,130
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727
• Occupational Therapist (OT): $74,843
• Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Case Management: $48,065
• Prevention / Intervention Specialist: $33,567
• Clinical Social Worker: $54,753
• Clinical Director: $73,468
• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager: $88,870
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Physician Assistant (PA): $106,994
• Education Program Director: $65,246
• General / Operations Manager: $80,841
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: MSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsCase ManagementPrevention / Intervention SpecialistClinical Social Worker Mid-level positionsMental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersLicensed Professional CounselorOccupational Therapist (OT)PsychotherapistPhysician Assistant (PA) Senior level positionsClinical DirectorEnvironmental Health & Safety (EHS) ManagerEducation Program DirectorGeneral / Operations Manager
• Entry-level positionsCase ManagementPrevention / Intervention SpecialistClinical Social Worker
• Case Management
• Prevention / Intervention Specialist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Mid-level positionsMental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersLicensed Professional CounselorOccupational Therapist (OT)PsychotherapistPhysician Assistant (PA)
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Occupational Therapist (OT)
• Psychotherapist
• Physician Assistant (PA)
• Senior level positionsClinical DirectorEnvironmental Health & Safety (EHS) ManagerEducation Program DirectorGeneral / Operations Manager
• Clinical Director
• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager
• Education Program Director
• General / Operations Manager

Occupational and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Social Work

An EAP’s goal is to assist employees in juggling their personal and professional life. Even the most bright and committed workers have trouble balancing their personal and professional obligations, so it is critical to help them when things get rough and to take care of a workforce’s social, psychological, and economic needs.

Occupational social workers assist organizations in re-engineering their operations to increase effectiveness, innovation, morale, and productivity, providing advice to workers on a variety of issues relating to their jobs, such as living and working circumstances, health, leisure, and other issues.

• Median Annual Salary: $63,264 EAP Counselor: $75,852Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727Service Coordinator: $32,886Training & Development Specialist: $70,221Clinical Social Worker: $54,753Program Director, Healthcare: $78,159Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351Utilization Review (UR) Director: $65,699Program Administrator, Non-Profit Organization: $52,125
• EAP Counselor: $75,852
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727
• Service Coordinator: $32,886
• Training & Development Specialist: $70,221
• Clinical Social Worker: $54,753
• Program Director, Healthcare: $78,159
• Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• Utilization Review (UR) Director: $65,699
• Program Administrator, Non-Profit Organization: $52,125
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: MSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsLicensed Professional CounselorService CoordinatorSocial / Human Service Assistant Mid-level positionsTraining & Development SpecialistEAP CounselorClinical Social Worker Senior level positionsProgram Director, HealthcareUtilization Review (UR) DirectorProgram Administrator, Non-Profit Organization
• Entry-level positionsLicensed Professional CounselorService CoordinatorSocial / Human Service Assistant
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Service Coordinator
• Social / Human Service Assistant
• Mid-level positionsTraining & Development SpecialistEAP CounselorClinical Social Worker
• Training & Development Specialist
• EAP Counselor
• Clinical Social Worker
• Senior level positionsProgram Director, HealthcareUtilization Review (UR) DirectorProgram Administrator, Non-Profit Organization
• Program Director, Healthcare
• Utilization Review (UR) Director
• Program Administrator, Non-Profit Organization

Policy and Planning

Policy and planning social workers evaluate the efficacy of policies, programs, and regulations. They identify social problems, examine needs and associated issues, conduct research, propose legislation, and recommend alternative approaches or new programs. This type of social work is more centered on policy-making than actual hands-on social work, but they work in close coordination with practitioners and clinical psychotherapists.

• Median Annual Salary:Policy Analyst: $61,979Social Worker: $55,825Research Director: $110,325Project Manager, (General): $80,412Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization: $42,168Senior Marketing Manager: $96,481Office Administrator: $75,451
• Policy Analyst: $61,979
• Social Worker: $55,825
• Research Director: $110,325
• Project Manager, (General): $80,412
• Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization: $42,168
• Senior Marketing Manager: $96,481
• Office Administrator: $75,451
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW, DSW
• Licensure Requirements: optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsSocial WorkerOffice Administrator Mid-level positionsPolicy Analyst Senior level positionsResearch DirectorProgram Coordinator, Non-Profit OrganizationSenior Marketing Manager
• Entry-level positionsSocial WorkerOffice Administrator
• Social Worker
• Office Administrator
• Mid-level positionsPolicy Analyst
• Policy Analyst
• Senior level positionsResearch DirectorProgram Coordinator, Non-Profit OrganizationSenior Marketing Manager
• Research Director
• Program Coordinator, Non-Profit Organization
• Senior Marketing Manager

Politics

Political social work is social work practice, theory, and research that focuses on the use of policy and politics to create social change. Political social work navigates power in policymaking and politics to bring about social transformation. It is founded on social work’s fundamental values and ethics including the professional obligation to combat systemic discrimination and institutional inequalities through political action.

Political social workers address systemic obstacles to social, political, economic, and racial justice and engage in political action to advance individual and communal well-being via policy processes and outcomes.

• Median Annual Salary: Social Worker: $51,129Case Manager: $44,568Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $65,473Social Worker (MSW): $52,105Executive Director: $72,358Medical Social Worker: $56,123Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization: $60,245Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Social Worker: $51,129
• Case Manager: $44,568
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): $65,473
• Social Worker (MSW): $52,105
• Executive Director: $72,358
• Medical Social Worker: $56,123
• Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization: $60,245
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW, DSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW, optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsAssistant political lobbyistSocial WorkerCase Manager Mid-level positionsPolitical lobbyistSocial Worker (MSW)Licensed Clinical Social WorkerMedical Social Worker: Senior level positionsPolitical lobbyistPsychotherapistExecutive DirectorProgram Manager, Non-Profit Organization
• Entry-level positionsAssistant political lobbyistSocial WorkerCase Manager
• Assistant political lobbyist
• Social Worker
• Case Manager
• Mid-level positionsPolitical lobbyistSocial Worker (MSW)Licensed Clinical Social WorkerMedical Social Worker:
• Political lobbyist
• Social Worker (MSW)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Medical Social Worker:
• Senior level positionsPolitical lobbyistPsychotherapistExecutive DirectorProgram Manager, Non-Profit Organization
• Political lobbyist
• Psychotherapist
• Executive Director
• Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization

Public welfare

Social work in public welfare involves administering, financing, and planning programs, ad training and supervising staff. Establishing and evaluating service delivery standards and criteria are specified and maintained. Professional social workers must demonstrate inventiveness and leadership when faced with a variety of obstacles in the field of public welfare.

Public welfare social workers coordinate income and other support benefits for those in greatest need, typically the disabled, elderly, the sick, and children. Their other objective is to promote the client’s self-sufficiency so that diminishing resources can be applied to the benefit of those least able to function independently. Engaging with problematic situations is one of the difficulties that come with a career in social work, which can be a highly emotional profession

Education Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or a bachelor’s degree in a related field. A Master of Social Work (MSW) is recommended for advancement opportunities.

• Median Annual Salary:Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager: $88,870General / Operations Manager: $80,841Operations Manager: $56,063Program Assistant (Unspecified): $39,107Public Health Educator: $36,994Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724Director of Development (Fundraising): $69,647Psychotherapist: $66,787Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351Social Worker, Hospice: $50,560Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager: $88,870
• General / Operations Manager: $80,841
• Operations Manager: $56,063
• Program Assistant (Unspecified): $39,107
• Public Health Educator: $36,994
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727
• Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724
• Director of Development (Fundraising): $69,647
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• Social Worker, Hospice: $50,560
• Victim Advocate: $37,115
• Outlook:+12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW
• Licensure Requirements: optional
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsProgram Assistant (Unspecified)Public Health EducatorLicensed Professional CounselorSocial / Human Service AssistantVictim Advocate Mid-level positionsOperations ManagerChild Welfare SpecialistPsychotherapistSocial Worker, Hospice Senior level positionsEnvironmental Health & Safety (EHS) ManagerGeneral / Operations ManagerDirector of Development (Fundraising)
• Entry-level positionsProgram Assistant (Unspecified)Public Health EducatorLicensed Professional CounselorSocial / Human Service AssistantVictim Advocate
• Program Assistant (Unspecified)
• Public Health Educator
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Social / Human Service Assistant
• Victim Advocate
• Mid-level positionsOperations ManagerChild Welfare SpecialistPsychotherapistSocial Worker, Hospice
• Operations Manager
• Child Welfare Specialist
• Psychotherapist
• Social Worker, Hospice
• Senior level positionsEnvironmental Health & Safety (EHS) ManagerGeneral / Operations ManagerDirector of Development (Fundraising)
• Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Manager
• General / Operations Manager
• Director of Development (Fundraising)

School Social Work

School social workers provide administrators and school personnel with consultation and training regarding a holistic approach to the whole child that includes mental health, behavior in and out of the classroom, child abuse and neglect, and similar issues. School social workers address the diverse needs of students with and without disabilities who may be experiencing anything from violence and harassment, pregnancy/single parenthood, homelessness, chronic absenteeism/truancy, transitions between school and treatment programs, foster care, or the juvenile justice system, and other difficult challenges. Students like this are at extreme risk of dropping out of school and worse.

School social workers ensure equitable access and culturally sensitive services for all students and their families, maximizing student achievement and enhancing school climate, culture, and safety. The effectiveness of school social work services has helped multiple student outcomes like academic achievement, physical and psychological safety, mental and behavioral health, social-emotional competencies, and family and community engagement, among others.

• Median Annual Salary:School Social Worker: $57,941Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727Psychotherapist: $66,787Public Health Educator: $36,994Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727Occupational Therapist (OT): $74,843Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724Clinical Social Worker: $54,753Service Coordinator: $32,886Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• School Social Worker: $57,941
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727
• Psychotherapist: $66,787
• Public Health Educator: $36,994
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP): $34,761
• Licensed Professional Counselor: $43,727
• Occupational Therapist (OT): $74,843
• Child Welfare Specialist: $57,724
• Clinical Social Worker: $54,753
• Service Coordinator: $32,886
• Social / Human Service Assistant: $41,351
• Outlook: +12% overall growth
• Education Requirements: BSW, MSW
• Licensure Requirements: LCSW, CWEL
• Career Paths Entry-level positionsQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)Child Welfare SpecialistService CoordinatorSocial / Human Service Assistant Mid-level positionsSchool Social WorkerLicensed Professional CounselorOccupational Therapist (OT)Clinical Social WorkerPublic Health Educator Senior level positionsPsychotherapist
• Entry-level positionsQualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)Child Welfare SpecialistService CoordinatorSocial / Human Service Assistant
• Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP)
• Child Welfare Specialist
• Service Coordinator
• Social / Human Service Assistant
• Mid-level positionsSchool Social WorkerLicensed Professional CounselorOccupational Therapist (OT)Clinical Social WorkerPublic Health Educator
• School Social Worker
• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Occupational Therapist (OT)
• Clinical Social Worker
• Public Health Educator
• Senior level positionsPsychotherapist
• Psychotherapist

Social Work Internship and Fieldwork Opportunities

While studying for a degree, students are required to apply the concepts, theories, and skills they have learned in the classroom to actual cases or situations in the field. They are supervised and mentored by one faculty member as they do research and/or learn under a mentor (e.g., a licensed clinical social worker). These social work internships and fieldwork are immensely valuable in building confidence, learning best practices, and gaining hands-on practical experience in how to conduct work in their specific areas of social work.

They also provide networking opportunities for people who work in the same field or location, making it easier to ask for referrals or for help in specific areas. Knowledge and information-sharing are invaluable resources one can tap into.

These experiences and research work can then be written up as capstone projects or thesis work for the MSW or DSW degrees, contributing to further knowledge in the specific field of endeavor.

Social Work Volunteer Opportunities

Aside from formal paid positions, many positions are filled by volunteers who are not paid for their service. Such social work volunteer opportunities are hard to fill and may require many hours of work and sacrifice. It may or may not be for you, but it is worth it to try volunteering at least once in your life. The benefits and happiness you can give someone else will always be remembered and appreciated, and such things cannot be measured monetarily.

There are, however, some volunteer positions that may be risky or dangerous, such as those involving substance abuse and domestic violence victims or prisoners/ex-convicts. These positions usually have mentors that guide volunteers correctly through difficult cases. Choose carefully as it can affect you physically and psychologically, too.

How can social workers manage personal stress and prevent burnout?

Working in social services can be mentally and emotionally taxing, leading to stress and, in some cases, burnout. It’s crucial for social workers to adopt strategies that help them manage their well-being and sustain their ability to provide effective care.

• Establish Boundaries: Setting personal boundaries with clients can prevent emotional overload. Social workers need to ensure they aren’t absorbing too much stress from their cases.
• Self-Care Practices: Regular physical exercise, hobbies, and mindfulness practices such as meditation can reduce stress and recharge mental resilience, fostering long-term well-being.
• Professional Support Networks: Engaging with colleagues or joining peer support groups allows social workers to share experiences and receive feedback, which can alleviate feelings of isolation and overwhelm.
• Supervision and Mentorship: Regularly consulting with supervisors or mentors can offer new perspectives on challenging cases and provide emotional support, helping to diffuse stress.

Implementing these practices can help social workers remain effective in their roles and enhance job satisfaction, even in high-stress environments.

What are the key ethical considerations in professional social work?

Ethical practice is crucial for social workers who address sensitive human issues. Adhering to professional standards—such as maintaining client confidentiality, securing informed consent, and establishing clear boundaries—protects both clients and practitioners. This discipline emphasizes transparency, accountability, and culturally sensitive decision-making to safeguard vulnerable populations and build trust. Moreover, integrating ethical guidelines with emerging technologies and interdisciplinary approaches reinforces best practices. For insights into broader professional opportunities, consider exploring careers related to social studies.

Can Affordable Online MSW Programs Enhance Career Growth?

In today’s competitive landscape, digital learning options offer a practical avenue for advancing social work careers. Evaluating online programs based on curriculum quality, fieldwork integration, and accreditation can streamline professional development. Moreover, cost-effective alternatives provide flexibility without compromising educational standards. Exploring options like the cheapest online master's in social work may deliver a strategic advantage for career growth.

How can social workers expand their expertise and gain competitive advantages in the field?

As social work continues to evolve, professionals in the field must find ways to expand their expertise and stay competitive in the job market. Here are some strategies that social workers can pursue:

• Advanced Certifications and Specializations: Earning certifications in specialized areas such as addiction counseling, trauma-focused care, or gerontology can significantly enhance a social worker’s credentials. These certifications not only boost employability but also enable social workers to handle complex cases with greater confidence.
• Online Education and Continuing Learning: Many social workers pursue further education through cheapest online BSW programs or advanced online MSW and DSW programs. These flexible learning options allow professionals to study while balancing work and personal commitments. Online courses can also provide exposure to new methodologies and contemporary social work practices.
• Networking and Professional Organizations: Joining social work associations, attending conferences, and networking with other professionals can help social workers stay informed on the latest trends and gain access to valuable resources. Organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) offer continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
• Research and Publishing: Participating in social work research or publishing articles on relevant topics can elevate a professional’s profile within the field. Research not only contributes to the body of knowledge but also enhances a social worker’s ability to apply evidence-based practices in their daily work.
• Supervision and Mentorship: Engaging in supervisory roles or becoming a mentor for newcomers to the field allows seasoned social workers to refine their leadership skills and share knowledge. This can be a rewarding avenue to shape the future of social work while gaining personal fulfillment.

What challenges do social workers face in their careers?

Social workers face a range of challenges in their professional journey, from managing complex cases to dealing with personal stress. Below are some key obstacles:

• Emotional and Mental Stress: Social workers often deal with clients facing severe trauma, addiction, or mental health issues. This can lead to burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion, particularly in high-stress environments such as child welfare or emergency services.
• High Caseloads: Many social workers are assigned large caseloads, which can limit the amount of time and attention they can devote to each client. This can negatively impact the quality of care provided and increase job dissatisfaction.
• Underfunding and Resource Constraints: Social work agencies, especially in public sectors, often face budget cuts, which leads to insufficient resources. This can hinder the ability of social workers to provide adequate services to clients.
• Navigating Bureaucracy: Social workers must often navigate complex systems, including government regulations, insurance policies, and legal frameworks. The administrative burden can be overwhelming, taking time away from client-centered work.
• Maintaining Work-Life Balance: The emotional demands of social work, combined with long hours and administrative responsibilities, can make it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This can contribute to stress and burnout.
• Career Advancement Barriers: While social work offers many career paths, advancing in the field often requires additional education and licensure. Pursuing advanced programs such as licensed clinical social worker degree programs can help open doors for career growth, but they may require a significant investment of time and money.

Addressing these challenges is crucial to maintaining the well-being of social workers and ensuring they can continue to make a positive impact on their communities.

What are the best educational paths for aspiring social workers?

For individuals interested in pursuing a career in social work, selecting the right educational path is crucial. With numerous options available, it's essential to choose a program that aligns with your career goals and provides the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the field. When exploring educational options, consider factors such as program accreditation, curriculum, and faculty expertise. One valuable resource for finding accredited programs is the best online MSW programs CSWE-accredited. By investing in a high-quality education, aspiring social workers can set themselves up for success and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

The Role of Education in Advancing Social Work Careers

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing careers in social work, offering the necessary knowledge, skills, and credentials required to excel in a competitive and evolving field. Social workers can leverage various educational opportunities to elevate their competencies and professional standing.

1. Building Foundational Knowledge: Starting with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) provides essential training in areas such as case management, ethical decision-making, and community outreach. For those seeking specialization, a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) is often indispensable. It not only opens doors to direct practice and clinical roles but also allows for focus areas such as mental health, substance abuse, or policy development. Prospective students can explore the list of the easiest social work programs to get into for accessible pathways to earn their MSW.
2. Spurring Career Advancement Through Specialization: The completion of an MSW or even a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) can lead to advanced roles in leadership, academia, or niche areas like forensic social work or healthcare. Specializations help professionals stand out in the industry and meet the complex needs of diverse populations—the hallmark of contemporary social work practices.
3. Continuing Education and Certifications: Beyond formal degrees, continuous learning is essential for social workers. Certifications in areas such as trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, or cultural competency can significantly enhance a professional’s ability to respond to emerging challenges. This not only reinforces ethical and evidence-based practice but also expands their ability to serve multifaceted community needs effectively.
4. Embracing Online Education: The rising availability of online degree programs and certifications has made social work education more accessible than ever. Online Master's programs, for instance, allow working professionals to upskill while fulfilling their current job responsibilities.

In conclusion, investing in social work education—whether through traditional or online avenues—not only ensures compliance with evolving industry standards but also empowers social workers to drive meaningful societal change while optimizing career growth.

How does obtaining an advanced degree impact social work compensation?

Research shows that advanced education in social work, particularly a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or higher, is directly associated with expanded career opportunities and improved salary prospects. Specialized training enhances access to higher-level positions in clinical practice, administration, and academia that often offer increased financial rewards. Additionally, advanced degrees provide professionals with greater bargaining power and competitive advantages in both public and private sectors. For detailed insights into current compensation trends, see our article on master of social work jobs salary.

Are Accelerated Online MSW Programs Worth Considering for Fast-Tracking Your Career?

For professionals aiming to swiftly enter higher-level positions while maintaining academic excellence, accelerated MSW online programs offer a compelling solution. These programs combine rigorous curricula with flexible delivery methods that meet the demands of busy practitioners, ensuring that essential clinical and administrative skills are developed without unnecessary delay. They emphasize practical skill-building and field placements that align with contemporary social work challenges, enabling graduates to effectively transition into impactful roles. For a detailed comparison of program features and to explore options that suit individualized career objectives, review our article on accelerated MSW online programs.

Can affordable online doctoral programs bolster your career sustainability?

Social work professionals seeking long-term career resilience can benefit from advanced education that is both flexible and affordable. Online doctoral programs provide an opportunity to deepen research expertise and leadership skills while accommodating demanding work schedules. These programs empower practitioners to implement innovative, evidence-based strategies directly applicable to evolving community needs. By choosing cost-effective pathways—such as low cost online DSW programs—social workers can secure advanced credentials without compromising financial stability, thereby enhancing their ability to drive systemic change and sustain impactful careers.

Can Professional Networking and Mentorship Amplify Your Career Success?

In today’s dynamic social work landscape, strategic networking and mentorship play a critical role in career progression. Building robust professional relationships not only fosters access to emerging opportunities but also provides personalized guidance tailored to complex case management and leadership development. Seasoned mentors can offer real‐world insights into navigating regulatory challenges, mastering ethical dilemmas, and staying current with best practices. Participation in professional associations and industry events further enhances your profile and broadens your knowledge base. Additionally, integrating complementary credentials—such as pursuing an affordable human services online degree—can equip you with the latest tools to drive innovation and sustainable career success.

Future Trends in Social Work

The need for more social workers in all fields of social work will continue to increase worldwide into the far future. There will always be decent-paying jobs and higher-paying jobs for licensed social workers. It is not easy to pass the licensure exam, but once you do, a big increase in social work salary is to be expected. AI and machine learning can help with problem cases and predictive algorithms may soon help in the diagnosis and preventative action regarding problematic patients. Coupled with coordination with corrections and law enforcement, there is much hope that incarceration will no longer be the main option, but corrective action that is more holistic and effective.

If you want to pursue more career possibilities, you can review state-specific programs. You can start with our guide to social work programs in Florida or you can also check the potential social worker salary in Texas.

Key Insights

• High Demand for Social Workers: Due to the increasing prevalence of social issues such as income inequality, substance abuse, and child welfare, the demand for social workers is expected to grow significantly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% growth in employment from 2021-2031, adding approximately 64,000 new jobs.
• Rewarding Career: Social work offers personal fulfillment by helping others, alongside a median annual salary of $50,390 as of 2021. Advanced degrees and specializations can lead to higher salaries.
• Diverse Career Paths: Social work encompasses various fields such as healthcare, child welfare, mental health, and community organizing. Each field requires specific skills and offers different career opportunities and salary ranges.
• Essential Skills: Successful social workers need a blend of technical and personal skills, including crisis intervention, patient counseling, research, decision-making, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
• Educational Pathways: Degrees in social work range from Bachelor’s (BSW) to Doctorate (DSW). Each level opens different career opportunities and responsibilities. Licensure, particularly for clinical roles, is essential.
• Internships and Volunteering: Practical experience through internships and volunteering is crucial for gaining real-world skills and building professional networks in social work.
• Future Trends: The future of social work looks promising with continuous demand. Technological advancements like AI and machine learning will play a role in enhancing social work practices.

FAQ

1. What is social work?

Social work focuses on improving the quality of life and well-being of individuals and communities, especially those marginalized or at risk. It involves various fields such as healthcare, child welfare, mental health, and community organizing.

2. What skills are required for social work?

Essential skills for social workers include crisis intervention, patient counseling, deductive and inductive reasoning, critical thinking, research, decision-making, empathy, emotional intelligence, and organizational skills.

3. What educational degrees are needed for a career in social work?

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) is the entry-level requirement. A Master’s in Social Work (MSW) allows for specialization and advanced practice. A Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) is suitable for those interested in research, academia, and high-level policy work.

4. What is the job outlook for social workers?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 9% job growth for social workers from 2021 to 2031, adding approximately 64,000 new jobs. The median annual salary for social workers in 2021 was $50,390.

5. What are the different career paths in social work?

Career paths in social work include healthcare/medical social work, child welfare, mental health, community organizing, advocacy, corrections, gerontology, and policy and planning, among others.

6. What is the role of a clinical social worker?

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) diagnose and treat mental health conditions, provide psychotherapy, and offer support for emotional and behavioral issues. They require advanced degrees and licensure.

7. How can social work internships and volunteer opportunities help my career?

Internships and volunteer opportunities provide hands-on experience, practical skills, and professional networking opportunities, which are crucial for career development in social work.

8. What is the importance of licensure for social workers?

Licensure ensures that social workers meet the required standards to practice ethically and safely. It is mandatory for clinical roles and enhances professional credibility and opportunities.

9. What are the future trends in social work?

The demand for social workers will continue to rise due to ongoing social issues. Technological advancements, such as AI and machine learning, will enhance the effectiveness of social work practices.

10. What are the benefits of pursuing a career in social work?

A career in social work offers personal fulfillment, the opportunity to make a positive impact on individuals and communities, and a decent salary. Advanced education and specialization can lead to higher earnings and more diverse career opportunities.

References:

• Association of Social Work Boards. (2022, December 16). Association of Social Work Boards.
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• FederalPay (2023). Social Worker Salary Statistics. FederalPay.
• Ghelani, A. (2021). Knowledge and Skills for Social Workers on Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams. Clinical Social Work Journal, 50(4), 414425.
• Population Reference Bureau. (2022). Fact Sheet: Aging in the United States. PRB.
• SAMHSA. (2023). Mental Health and Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders. SAMHSA.
• The National Association of Social Workers. (2023). Social Work Salaries. The National Association of Social Workers.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, September 8). Social Workers: Occupational Outlook Handbook:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, February 8). Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists: Occupational Outlook Handbook:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• VA.gov | Veterans Affairs. (2023). VHA Social Work. VA.gov | Veterans Affairs.