What Does a Social Worker Do?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is a Social Worker?Duties and ResponsibilitiesWhere Are Social Workers Employed?Salary InformationEducation RequirementsSocial Worker Specialty AreasJob Outlook for Social Workers

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is a Social Worker?

Duties and Responsibilities

Where Are Social Workers Employed?

Salary Information

Education Requirements

Social Worker Specialty Areas

Job Outlook for Social Workers

A social worker is a mental health professional who works to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. They work with individuals and communities to overcome challenges and effect social change.

At a GlanceSocial workers help vulnerable people with a wide range of issues, from finding secure housing, applying for community services, and providing mental health treatment. Most social workers have a master’s degree and may specialize in mental health/substance use, child/family/school services, or public health.

At a Glance

Social workers help vulnerable people with a wide range of issues, from finding secure housing, applying for community services, and providing mental health treatment. Most social workers have a master’s degree and may specialize in mental health/substance use, child/family/school services, or public health.

So what exactly is a social worker? These mental health professionals help people with a broad range of issues, including psychological, financial, health, relationship, and substance abuse problems. Learn more about what social workers do, the educational requirements, and the projected job outlook for the field.

Fast FactsSocial workers held approximately 728,600 jobs in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Most jobs in the field require a Master’s degree in Social Work.Social workers are employed in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, nonprofit agencies, and government offices.

Fast Facts

Social workers held approximately 728,600 jobs in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Most jobs in the field require a Master’s degree in Social Work.Social workers are employed in various settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, nonprofit agencies, and government offices.

The field of social work utilizes social theories to understand human problems, to help improve people’s lives, and to improve society as a whole.

Social workers:

Many who work in this field specialize in particular areas, such as helping children, assisting those with life-threatening problems, or aiding people in overcoming addictions.

Who Social Workers HelpSocial workers work with a wide range of people, including:Kids and teensPeople with mental health conditionsDisabled peopleUnhoused peopleVeteransVictims oftraumaor violenceCouples and familiesOlder adultsLGBTQIA+ peoplePeople with substance use problemsStudentsImmigrantsand refugeesPeople with medical issues or chronic illnesses

Social workers work with a wide range of people, including:Kids and teensPeople with mental health conditionsDisabled peopleUnhoused peopleVeteransVictims oftraumaor violenceCouples and familiesOlder adultsLGBTQIA+ peoplePeople with substance use problemsStudentsImmigrantsand refugeesPeople with medical issues or chronic illnesses

Social workers work with a wide range of people, including:

According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half of all social workers are employed as child, family, and school social workers, a trend projected to continue through 2032.

Areas where social workers often work include:

Professionals in government positions might conduct child welfare assessments, help individuals in need of public assistance, and work with people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.

Salaries can vary based on various factors, including geographic location, educational background, and specialty area.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median annual wage for social workers as of 2022 was $55,350. The lowest 10% made less than $36,600, and the highest 10% made more than $87,300.

According to the National Association of Social Workers, those just starting out in their career with an undergraduate degree in social work earn a mean income of $31,327 per year. Those with a Master’s degree typically average a mean income of $44,418.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports the following median yearly earnings for different specialty areas in social work:

In order to become a social worker, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is the minimum requirement. However, some individuals with psychology, sociology, and education degrees are able to find entry-level jobs in social work.

If you are interested in providing therapy services, then a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree is required. Are you interested in teaching at the university level or conducting research? Then you will need to earn a doctorate degree in social work (DSW).

Social workers often opt to specialize in a specific area. Some of these include:

Child, family, and school social workers work with children and families. Some work in school settings to help children with academic, social, and emotional issues. Others may work with foster children, help arrange adoptions, and assistsingle parents.

Some specific tasks they may perform include:

Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals suffering from mental health problems or addiction and substance abuse issues.Social workers in this specialty area may provide:

Social work is also categorized into different levels of practice:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that social work careers will grow 7% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.While employment opportunities in urban areas are predicted to be more competitive, the Department of Labor suggests that job demand will also be good in rural locations.

What This Means For YouA career as a social worker can be rewarding, but it’s important to consider your needs, educational requirements, and job outlook before you decide if it is the right choice for you. Consider talking to a practicing social worker to learn more, or talk to your academic advisor to learn more about your options. If you’re unsure whether this career path is right for you, apsychology careers self-testcan help you get a better idea.

What This Means For You

A career as a social worker can be rewarding, but it’s important to consider your needs, educational requirements, and job outlook before you decide if it is the right choice for you. Consider talking to a practicing social worker to learn more, or talk to your academic advisor to learn more about your options. If you’re unsure whether this career path is right for you, apsychology careers self-testcan help you get a better idea.

Types of Therapy: An A to Z List of Your Options

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers work environment. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.What social workers do. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.University at Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers: Pay. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.Salsberg E, Quiqley L, Acquaviva K, Wyche K, Sliwa S.New social workers: results of the nationwide survey Of 2017 social work graduates: the National Social Work Workforce Study. George Washington University Health Workforce Institute.Association of Social Work Boards.About licensing and regulation.National Association of Social Workers.NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers job outlook. Occupational Outlook Handbook.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers work environment. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.What social workers do. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.University at Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers: Pay. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.Salsberg E, Quiqley L, Acquaviva K, Wyche K, Sliwa S.New social workers: results of the nationwide survey Of 2017 social work graduates: the National Social Work Workforce Study. George Washington University Health Workforce Institute.Association of Social Work Boards.About licensing and regulation.National Association of Social Workers.NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers job outlook. Occupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers work environment. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.What social workers do. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.University at Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers: Pay. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.Salsberg E, Quiqley L, Acquaviva K, Wyche K, Sliwa S.New social workers: results of the nationwide survey Of 2017 social work graduates: the National Social Work Workforce Study. George Washington University Health Workforce Institute.Association of Social Work Boards.About licensing and regulation.National Association of Social Workers.NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers job outlook. Occupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers work environment. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.What social workers do. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.

University at Buffalo, School of Social Work.What is social work and what do social workers do?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers: Pay. InOccupational Outlook Handbook.

Salsberg E, Quiqley L, Acquaviva K, Wyche K, Sliwa S.New social workers: results of the nationwide survey Of 2017 social work graduates: the National Social Work Workforce Study. George Washington University Health Workforce Institute.

Association of Social Work Boards.About licensing and regulation.

National Association of Social Workers.NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Social workers job outlook. Occupational Outlook Handbook.

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