### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Social Workers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			social workers imageSocial workers help people solve and cope with problems.							
						Quick Facts:     Social Workers2023     Median Pay
            						$58,380     per year
										$28.07     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    See How to Become OneWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    See How to Become OneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    728,600Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    7% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    53,800What Social Workers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare providers, and schools. Most work full time, and some work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
            
                                                How to Become a Social Worker
                                                
                        
Social workers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. They also may need a license; specific requirements vary by state.
Clinical social workers need a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience, and a license from the state in which they practice.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for social workers was $58,380 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Overall employment							of social workers is projected to grow							 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 63,800 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for social workers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of social workers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about social workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Social Workers Do 
            

			Social workersChild and family social workers protect vulnerable children and support families in need of assistance.			
Social workers help individuals, groups, and families prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional problems.
Duties
Social workers typically do the following:
Identify people and communities in need of help
Assess clients’ needs, situations, strengths, and support networks to determine their goals
Help clients adjust to changes and challenges in their lives, such as illness, divorce, or unemployment
Research, refer, and advocate for community resources, such as food stamps, childcare, and healthcare, to assist and improve a client’s well-being
Respond to crisis situations such as child abuse and mental health emergencies
Monitor clients' situations, and follow up to ensure that they have improved
Maintain case files and records
Provide psychotherapy servicesSocial workers help people cope with challenges in their lives. They help with a wide range of situations, such as adopting a child, being diagnosed with a terminal illness, or preventing and treating substance abuse.
Some social workers get involved at a broad level to help community organizations and policymakers develop or improve social programs, services, and conditions. This is sometimes referred to as macro social work.
Advocacy is an important aspect of social work. Social workers advocate or raise awareness with and on behalf of their clients and constituents. Additionally, they may advocate for the social work occupation on local, state, and national levels.
Social workers who are licensed to diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional disorders are called ***clinical social workers***(CSW), ***licensed clinical social workers*****(LCSW), or have a similar title; specific titles vary by state*.* They provide individual, group, family, and couples therapy; work with clients to develop strategies to change behavior or cope with difficult situations; and refer clients to other resources or services, such as support groups or other mental health workers. Clinical social workers may develop treatment plans with the client, doctors, and other healthcare workers and may adjust the treatment plan if necessary based on their client’s progress. They may work in a variety of specialties.
The following are examples of types of social workers:
***Child and family social workers*** protect vulnerable children and help families in need of assistance. They help families find housing or services, such as childcare, or apply for benefits, such as food stamps. They intervene when children are in danger of neglect or abuse. Some help arrange adoptions, locate foster families, or work to reunite families.
***School social workers*** work with teachers, parents, and school administrators to develop plans and strategies to improve students’ academic performance and social development. They help students with problems such as aggressive behavior or bullying. Additionally, school social workers meet with families to discuss issues such as access to special education resources or frequent student absences.
***Healthcare social workers*** help clients understand their diagnosis and adjust their lifestyle, housing, or healthcare. For example, they may help people transition from the hospital to their homes and communities. In addition, they may provide information about services, such as home healthcare or support groups, to help clients manage their illness or disease. Social workers help doctors and other healthcare workers understand the effects that diseases and illnesses have on clients’ mental and emotional health. Some healthcare social workers specialize in geriatric social work, hospice and palliative care, or medical social work.
***Mental health and substance abuse social workers*** help clients with mental illnesses or addictions. They provide information on services, such as support groups and 12-step programs, to help clients cope with their illness. These workers often are licensed clinical social workers.
 Work Environment
			Social workersAlthough most social workers work in an office, they may spend a lot of time away from the office visiting clients.			

	    
				
	
	    	    		Social workers held about 728,600 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up social workers was distributed as follows:
    	    	
    	Child, family, and school social workers
                355,300Healthcare social workers
                191,400Mental health and substance abuse social workers
                113,500Social workers, all other
                68,400The largest employers of social workers were as follows:
        Individual and family services
                17%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                14State government, excluding education and hospitals
                13Educational services; state, local, and private
                9Community and vocational rehabilitation services
                3Most social workers work in an office setting. They may spend time visiting clients and meeting with colleagues and community specialists or other support workers. School social workers may be assigned to multiple schools and travel around the school district to see students. Understaffing and large caseloads may cause the work to be stressful.
Injuries and Illnesses
Social workers, all other have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. (“Social workers, all other” includes criminal justice social workers, adult protective service social workers, and forensic social workers, among other titles.)
Work Schedules
Most social workers are employed full time. They sometimes work evenings, weekends, and holidays to see clients or attend meetings, and they may be on call.
 How to Become a Social Worker

			social workers imageClinical social workers need a master's degree, supervised experience, and a license to provide mental health or counseling services.			
Social workers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. They also may need a license; specific requirements vary by state.
Clinical social workers need a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience, and a license from the state in which they practice.
Education and Training
Most social workers need either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is the most common requirement for entry-level nonclinical social worker positions. BSW programs teach students about diverse populations, human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethics in social work. All programs require students to complete supervised fieldwork or an internship.
Clinical social workers typically need a master’s degree in social work (MSW). These programs prepare students for work in their chosen specialty by developing clinical assessment and diagnostic skills. Some nonclinical social workers also may complete master’s-level programs. MSW programs generally take 2 years to complete and include a supervised practicum or internship.
A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required in order to enter a master’s degree program in social work. Although a bachelor’s degree in almost any field is acceptable, common majors include public policy and social services, psychology, or social science. Recommended coursework includes sociology, economics, and political science. Some programs allow graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work to earn their master’s degree in under 2 years.
After obtaining an MSW degree, clinical social workers must complete supervised training and experience. The length of clinical training varies by state but may take several years.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require clinical social workers to be licensed. Some states also require nonclinical social workers to have a license or credential.
Becoming a licensed clinical social worker requires a master’s degree in social work from an accredited program and supervised clinical experience after graduation. After completing their supervised experience, clinical social workers must pass a clinical exam to be licensed.
Because licensing requirements vary by state, those interested should contact their state licensure board. For more information about regulatory licensure boards by state, visit the Association of Social Work Boards.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*****Clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives. To provide effective help, social workers must be able to listen to and understand their clients’ needs.
***Compassion.*****Social workers often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have patience and empathy for their clients.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Social workers must be able to work with different groups of people. They need to foster healthy and productive relationships with their clients, colleagues, and other support specialists.
***Organizational skills.*** Social workers must help and manage multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Social workers must analyze their clients’ complex situations and develop practical solutions.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Social WorkersMedian annual wages, May 2023Social workers$58,380  Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists$51,970  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for social workers was $58,380 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,400, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $94,910.

			
                    	Median annual wages for social workers in May 2023 were as follows:
        Social workers, all other
		$63,770Healthcare social workers
		62,940Mental health and substance abuse social workers
		55,960Child, family, and school social workers
		53,940In May 2023, the median annual wages for social workers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $64,550Educational services; state, local, and private
                62,980State government, excluding education and hospitals
                54,600Individual and family services
                48,550Community and vocational rehabilitation services
                46,650Most social workers are employed full time. They sometimes work evenings, weekends, and holidays to see clients or attend meetings, and they may be on call.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Social WorkersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists9%  Social workers7%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Overall employment				of social workers is projected to grow				 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 63,800 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Projected employment of social workers varies by occupation (see table).
Child, family, and school social workers will be needed to help strengthen parenting skills, prevent child abuse, and identify alternative homes for children who are unable to live with their biological families. However, employment growth for these social workers may be limited by federal, state, and local budget constraints.
Healthcare social workers will continue to be needed to help aging populations and their families adjust to new treatments, medications, and lifestyles.
Employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers will grow as more people seek treatment for mental illness and for substance abuse, especially recovery from opioid use disorder. In addition, drug offenders are increasingly being directed to treatment programs, which are staffed by these social workers, as a supplement or occasionally an alternative to incarceration.
			

                        Employment projections data for     social workers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Social workers**
			21-1020
			728,600
			782,500
			7
			53,800
			Get data**Child, family, and school social workers**
			21-1021
			355,300
			374,300
			5
			18,900
			Get data**Healthcare social workers**
			21-1022
			191,400
			209,800
			10
			18,400
			Get data**Mental health and substance abuse social workers**
			21-1023
			113,500
			125,500
			11
			12,000
			Get data**Social workers, all other**
			21-1029
			68,400
			72,900
			7
			4,500
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Child, family, and school social workers
					Healthcare social workers
					Mental health and substance abuse social workers
					Social workers, all other **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of social workers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Health Education Specialists**
            Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $62,860**Marriage and Family Therapists**
            Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.
            Master's degree
            $58,510**Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists**
            Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
            Bachelor's degree
            $61,800**Psychologists**
            Psychologists study cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people relate to one another and to their environments.
            See How to Become One
            $92,740**Rehabilitation Counselors**
            Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
            Master's degree
            $44,040**School and Career Counselors and Advisors**
            School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.
            Master's degree
            $61,710**Social and Community Service Managers**
            Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $77,030**Social and Human Service Assistants**
            Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $41,410**Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors**
            Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
            Bachelor's degree
            $53,710
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about social workers and clinical social workers, visit
Association for Community Organization and Social Action
National Association of Social Workers
School Social Work Association of America
For more information about accredited social work degree programs, visit
Council on Social Work Education
For more information about licensure requirements, visit
Association of Social Work Boards
Occupational Requirements Survey
For a profile highlighting selected BLS data on occupational requirements, see
Mental health and substance abuse social workers (PDF)
CareerOneStop
For career videos on social workers, visit
Child, family, and school workers
Medical and public health social workers
Mental health and substance abuse social workers


                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Child, Family, and School Social WorkersHealthcare Social WorkersMental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersSocial Workers, All Other
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social Workers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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