Social Workers work for individual and family services agencies, schools, or

State or local governments.

Significant Points Medical and public health social workers provide psychoso-
cial support to individuals, families, or vulnerable populations
• Employment is projected to grow faster than the aver- so they can cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such
age for all occupations. as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or AIDS. They also advise fami-
• About 54 percent of jobs were in health care and so- ly caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patients’ needs
cial assistance industries, and 31 percent work for after discharge from hospitals. They may arrange for at-home
government. services, such as meals-on-wheels or home care. Some work on
interdisciplinary teams that evaluate certain kinds of patients,
• While a bachelor’s degree is necessary for entry-level such as geriatric or organ transplant patients.
positions, a master’s degree in social work or a related Some specialize in services for senior citizens and their fami-
field is necessary for some positions. lies. These social workers may run support groups for the adult
• Job prospects are expected to be favorable, particu- children of aging parents. Also, they may assess, coordinate,
and monitor services such as housing, transportation, and long-
larly for social workers who specialize in the aging
term care. These workers may be known as gerontological so-
population or work in rural areas.
cial workers.
Nature of the Work Medical and public health social workers may work for
Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and
help improve people’s lives. Social workers assist people by ­family services agencies, or local governments.
­helping them cope with and solve issues in their everyday lives, Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess
such as family and personal problems and dealing with relation- and treat individuals with mental illness or substance abuse
ships. Some social workers help clients who face a disability, problems. Such services include individual and group therapy,
life-­threatening disease, social problem, such as inadequate outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and ­teaching
housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers skills needed for everyday living. They also may help plan for
also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, some- supportive services to ease clients’ return to the community
times involving child or spousal abuse. Additionally, they may when leaving in-patient facilities. They may provide services
conduct research, advocate for improved services, or become to assist family members of those who suffer from addiction
involved in planning or policy development. Many social work- or ­other mental health issues. These workers may work in out-
ers specialize in ­serving a particular population or working in a patient facilities, where clients come in for treatment and then
specific setting. In all settings, these workers may also be called leave, or in inpatient programs, where patients reside at the
licensed clinical social workers, if they hold the appropriate ­facility. Some mental health and substance social workers may
State mandated license. work in employee-assistance programs. In this setting, they
Child, family, and school social workers provide social ser- may help people cope with job-related pressures or with per-
vices and assistance to improve the social and psychological sonal problems that affect the quality of their work. Other so-
functioning of children and their families. Workers in this field cial ­workers work in private practice, where they are employed
assess their client’s needs and offer assistance to improve their directly by the client. These social workers may be known as
situation. This often includes coordinating available services clinical social workers, occupational social workers, or sub-
to assist a child or family. They may assist single parents in stance abuse social workers. (Counselors and psychologists,
­finding day care, arrange adoptions, or help find foster homes who may provide similar services, are discussed elsewhere in
for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. These workers the Handbook.)
may specialize in working with a particular problem, popu-
lation or setting, such as child protective services, adoption,
homelessness, domestic violence, or foster care.
In schools, social workers often serve as the link between
students’ families and the school, working with parents, guard-
ians, teachers, and other school officials to ensure that students
reach their academic and personal potential. They also assist
students in dealing with stress or emotional problems. Many
school social workers work directly with children with disabili-
ties and their families. In addition, they address problems such
as misbehavior, truancy, teenage pregnancy, and drug and alco-
hol problems and advise teachers on how to cope with difficult
students. School social workers may teach workshops to entire
classes on topics like conflict resolution.
Child, family, and school social workers may be known as
child welfare social workers, family services social workers, or
child protective services social workers. These workers often Social workers help people resolve issues in their lives.

1
Projections data from the National Employment Matrix
Projected Change,
SOC Employment,
Occupational Title Employment, 2008-2018
Code 2008
2018 Number Percent
Social workers.................................................................................... 21-1020 642,000 745,400 103,400 16
Child, family, and school social workers....................................... 21-1021 292,600 328,700 36,100 12
Medical and public health social workers...................................... 21-1022 138,700 169,800 31,100 22
Mental health and substance abuse social workers........................ 21-1023 137,300 164,100 26,800 20
Social workers, all other................................................................ 21-1029 73,400 82,800 9,400 13
(NOTE) Data in this table are rounded. See the discussion of the employment projections table in the Handbook introductory chapter on Occupational Informa-
tion Included in the Handbook.

Other types of social workers include social work adminis- service positions, such as caseworker, mental health assistant,
trators, researchers, planners and policymakers, who develop group home worker and residential counselor. These programs
and implement programs to address issues such as child abuse, include courses in social work values and ethics, dealing with
homelessness, substance abuse, poverty, and violence. These a culturally diverse clientele and at-risk populations, promotion
workers research and analyze policies, programs, and regula- of social and economic justice, human behavior and the social
tions. They identify social problems and suggest legislative and environment, social welfare policy and services, social work
other solutions. They may help raise funds or write grants to practice, social research methods, and field education. Accred-
support these programs. ited programs require a minimum of 400 hours of supervised
Work environment.    Social workers usually spend most of field experience.
their time in an office or residential facility, but they also may Master’s degree programs prepare graduates for work in
travel locally to visit clients, meet with service providers, or their chosen field of concentration and continue to develop the
attend meetings. Some may meet with clients in one of several skills required to perform clinical assessments, manage large
offices within a local area. Social work, while satisfying, can be ­caseloads, take on supervisory roles, and explore new ways
challenging. Understaffing and large caseloads add to the pres- of drawing upon social services to meet the needs of clients.
sure in some agencies. Full-time social workers usually work a ­Master’s programs usually last 2 years and include a minimum
standard 40-hour week, but some occasionally work evenings of 900 hours of supervised field instruction or internship. A
and weekends to meet with clients, attend community meetings, part-time program may take 4 years. Entry into a master’s pro-
and handle emergencies. Some work part time, particularly in gram does not require a bachelor’s degree in social work, but
voluntary nonprofit agencies. courses in psychology, biology, sociology, economics, politi-
cal science, and social work are recommended. In addition, a
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
­second language can be very helpful. Most master’s programs
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for entry into
offer advanced standing for those with a bachelor’s degree from
the occupation, but some positions require an advanced degree.
an ­accredited social work program.
All States and the District of Columbia have some licensure,
certification, or registration requirement; but these regulations Licensure.    All States and the District of Columbia have li-
vary. censing, certification, or registration requirements regarding so-
Education and training.    A bachelor’s degree in social cial work practice and the use of professional titles. Most States
work (BSW) is the most common minimum requirement to require 2 years or 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience
qualify for a job as a social worker; however, majors in psy- for licensure of clinical social workers. Due to some limita-
chology, sociology, and related fields may qualify for some tions on what settings unlicensed social workers may work and
entry-level jobs, especially in small community agencies. Al- some variation in the requirements to obtain a license, those
though a bachelor’s degree is sufficient for entry into the field, interested in becoming a social worker should research require-
an advanced degree is required for some positions. A master’s ments in their State.
degree in social work (MSW) is typically required for positions Other qualifications.    Social workers should be emotional-
in health and school settings and is required for clinical work, ly mature, objective, and sensitive to people and their problems.
as well. Some jobs in public and private agencies may require They must be able to handle responsibility, work independently,
an advanced degree, such as an MSW with a concentration in and maintain good working relationships with clients and co-
social services policy or administration. Supervisory, adminis- workers. Volunteer or paid jobs as a social work aide can help
trative, and staff ­training positions usually require an advanced people test their interest in this field.
degree. College and university teaching positions and most Certification and advancement.    Advancement to supervi-
research appointments normally require a doctorate in social sor, program manager, assistant director, or executive director
work (DSW or Ph.D.). of a social service agency or department usually requires an ad-
As of June 2009, the Council on Social Work Education ac- vanced degree and related work experience. Other career options
credited 468 bachelor’s programs and 196 master’s programs. for social workers include teaching, research, and ­consulting.
The Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education listed 74 Some of these workers help formulate government policies, by
doctoral programs in social work (DSW or Ph.D.) in the United analyzing and advocating policy positions in ­government agen-
States. Bachelor degree programs prepare graduates for direct cies, in research institutions, and on legislators’ staffs.

2
 Some social workers go into private practice. Most private for treatment programs and social workers to assist abusers on
practitioners are clinical social workers who provide psycho- the road to recovery. Opportunities for social workers in private
therapy, usually paid for through health insurance or by the practice will expand, as they are preferred over more costly psy-
client themselves. Private practitioners must have at least a chologists. Furthermore, the passage of legislation that requires
master’s degree and a period of supervised work experience. A insurance plans offered by employers to cover mental health
network of contacts for referrals also is essential. treatment in a manner that is equal to treatment of physical
health may increase the demand for mental health treatment.
Employment Growth of medical and public health social workers is ex-
Social workers held about 642,000 jobs, in 2008. About 54 per- pected to be about 22 percent, which is much faster than the
cent jobs were in health care and social assistance industries, average for all occupations. One of the major contributing fac-
and 31 percent were employed by government agencies. Al- tors is the rise in the elderly population. These social workers
though most social workers are employed in cities or suburbs, will be needed to assist in finding the best care and assistance
some work in rural areas. Employment by type of social worker, for the aging, as well as to support their families. Employment
in 2008, follows: opportunities for social workers with backgrounds in gerontol-
ogy should be excellent, particularly in the growing numbers of
Child, family and school social workers.....................292,600
assisted-living and senior-living communities. The expanding
Medical and public health social workers...................138,700
senior population also will spur demand for social workers in
Mental health and substance abuse social workers.....137,300
Social workers, all other................................................73,400
nursing homes, long-term care facilities, home care agencies,
and hospices.
Job Outlook Job prospects. Job prospects are expected to be favor-
Employment for social workers is expected to grow faster than able. Many job openings will stem from growth and the need
the average for all occupations through 2018. Job prospects are to replace social workers who leave the occupation. However,
expected to be favorable, particularly for social workers who competition for social worker jobs is expected in cities where
specialize in the aging population or work in rural areas. training programs for social workers are prevalent. Opportuni-
Employment change. Employment of social workers is ex- ties should be good in rural areas, which often find it difficult
pected to increase by 16 percent during the 2008–18 decade, to attract and retain qualified staff. By specialty, job prospects
which is faster than the average for all occupations. The grow- may be best for those social workers with a background in ger-
ing elderly population and the aging baby boom generation will ontology and substance abuse treatment.
create greater demand for health and social services, resulting
in rapid job growth among gerontological social workers. Em-
Earnings
Median annual wages of child, family, and school social work-
ployment of social workers in private social service agencies
ers were $39,530 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned
also will increase.
between $31,040 and $52,080. The lowest 10 percent earned
Employment of child, family, and school social workers is
less than $25,870, and the top 10 percent earned more than
expected to grow by about 12 percent, which is as fast as the
$66,430. Median annual wages in the industries employing the
average for all occupations. Demand for child and family social
largest numbers of child, family, and school social workers in
workers should continue, as these workers are needed to inves-
May 2008 were:
tigate child abuse cases, place children in foster care and with
adoptive families. However, growth for these ­workers may be Elementary and secondary schools.............................$53,860
hampered by the budget constraints of state and local govern- Local government..........................................................46,650
ments, who are amongst the largest employers of these workers. State government...........................................................39,600
Furthermore, demand for school social ­workers will continue Individual and family services......................................34,450
and lead to more jobs as efforts are expanded to respond to ris- Other residential care facilities......................................34,270
ing student enrollments, as well as the continued emphasis on
integrating children with disabilities into the general school Median annual wages of medical and public health social
population. There could be competition for school social work workers were $46,650 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent
jobs in some areas because of the limited number of openings. earned between $35,550 and $57,690. The lowest 10 percent
The availability of Federal, State, and local ­funding will be a earned less than $28,100, and the top 10 percent earned more
major factor in determining the actual job growth in schools. than $69,090. Median annual wages in the industries employing
Mental health and substance abuse social workers will grow the largest numbers of medical and public health social workers
by almost 20 percent over the 2008–18 decade, which is much in May 2008 were:
faster than the average. In particular, social workers specializing
General medical and surgical hospitals.......................$51,470
in substance abuse will experience strong demand. Substance
Home health care services.............................................46,930
abusers are increasingly being placed into treatment programs Local government..........................................................44,140
instead of being sentenced to prison. Also, growing numbers Nursing care facilities...................................................41,080
of the substance abusers sentenced to prison or probation are, Individual and family services......................................38,370
increasingly being required by correctional systems to have
substance abuse treatment added as a condition to their sen- Median annual wages of mental health and substance abuse
tence or probation. As this trend grows, demand will strengthen social workers were $37,210 in May 2008. The middle 50

3
percent earned between $28,910 and $48,560. The lowest 10 The Occupational Information Network (O*NET) pro-
­percent earned less than $21,770, and the top 10 percent earned vides information on a wide range of occupational char-
more than $61,430. Median annual wages in the industries acteristics. Links to O*NET appear at the end of the In-
­employing the largest numbers of mental health and substance ternet version of this occupational statement, accessible at
abuse social workers in May 2008 were: [Link]

Outpatient care centers................................................$36,660

Individual and family services......................................35,900
Residential mental retardation, mental health and
substance abuse facilities...........................................33,950

Median annual wages of social workers, all other were

$46,220 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between
$34,420 and $60,850. The lowest 10 percent earned less than
$27,400, and the top 10 percent earned more than $74,040. Me-
dian annual wages in the industries employing the largest num-
bers of social workers, all other in May 2008 were:

General medical and surgical hospitals.......................$55,940

Local government..........................................................51,700
Individual and family services......................................36,660
Residential mental retardation, mental health and
substance abuse facilities...........................................36,460
Community food and housing, and emergency and
other relief services...................................................31,890

About 24 percent of social workers are members of a union or

covered by a union contract.

Related Occupations
Through direct counseling or referral to other services, social
workers help people solve a range of personal problems. Work-
ers in occupations with similar duties include:

Clergy
Counselors
Health educators
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
Psychologists
Social and human service assistants

Sources of Additional Information

For information about career opportunities in social work and
voluntary credentials for social workers, contact:
hhNational Association of Social Workers, 750 First St.
NE., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002-4241. Internet:
[Link]
hhCenter for Clinical Social Work, 27 Congress St., Suite
501, Salem, MA 01970. Internet: [Link]
For a listing of accredited social work programs, contact:
hhCouncil on Social Work Education, 1725 Duke
St., Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457. Internet:
[Link]
Information on licensing requirements and testing procedures
for each State may be obtained from State licensing authorities,
or from:
hhAssociation of Social Work Boards, 400 South
Ridge Pkwy., Suite B, Culpeper, VA 22701. Internet:
[Link]