Community, Social & Government Services career

Healthcare Social Worker

Also called: Medical Social Worker · Hospital Social Worker · Hospice Social Worker · Clinical Social Worker

What healthcare social workers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a healthcare social worker do?

Healthcare social workers help patients and families understand diagnoses, cope with illness and arrange services such as home care, rehab and financial assistance. The median pay is $67,880 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6 years (BSW + MSW), and employment is projected to grow +8.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $67,880
    $32.63/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +8.5%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    16,900
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Master's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6 years (BSW + MSW)
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    194,800
    Employment, 2025

What healthcare social workers do

Healthcare social workers support patients through illness and recovery. In hospitals they plan discharges, arrange home health, rehab and nursing home placements, help families with advance directives, connect patients with insurance and financial help, and counsel people facing hard diagnoses. Others work in hospice, dialysis centers, clinics and home health.

Most healthcare social workers have a master’s degree in social work and a state license. Employment is projected to grow faster than average as the population ages.

Typical duties

  • Assess patient and family needs
  • Plan hospital discharges
  • Arrange home care and placements
  • Counsel patients and families
  • Help with advance directives
  • Connect patients to financial resources
  • Coordinate with medical teams

Work environment and schedule

Healthcare social workers work in hospitals, hospices, clinics and patients’ homes.

Schedule: Most work full-time; hospital roles may include weekends and evenings.

A day in the life

  1. Attend interdisciplinary rounds.
  2. Meet a family about discharge to rehab.
  3. Call insurance to approve home health.
  4. Counsel a patient after a new cancer diagnosis.

See a full day in the life of a healthcare social worker →

Healthcare Social Worker salary

Half of healthcare social workers earned more than $67,880 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $46,220 for the lowest 10% to $100,360 for the top 10%.

Full healthcare social worker pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a healthcare social worker

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Earn an MSW
  3. Get licensed
  4. Work in a healthcare setting
  5. Advance

A master’s degree in social work is typical, plus supervised experience and a state license.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a healthcare social worker →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Psychosocial assessment
  • Discharge planning
  • Crisis counseling
  • Insurance and benefits
  • Advance care planning

People skills

  • Empathy
  • Communication
  • Advocacy
  • Calmness

All healthcare social worker skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Meaningful patient impact
  • Team-based medical setting
  • Clinical career path

Cons

  • Emotional cases and end-of-life care
  • Pressure to discharge quickly
  • Insurance hassles
  • Master’s degree required

Certifications and licenses

  • Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): Master’s-level license.
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Clinical license.
  • Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM): NASW credential.
  • Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker: Specialty credential.

Career path

  1. Social Work Intern: Learn in placements.
  2. Healthcare Social Worker: Plan care.
  3. Clinical or Specialty Social Worker: Specialize in oncology, hospice or transplant.
  4. Social Work Manager: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Healthcare Social Worker training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan a safe discharge and lead a family meeting, safety and how to land your first job.

View Healthcare Social Worker trainingIs this career right for me?

Social Worker

Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.

  • $59,550
  • 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Compare: Medical Social Worker vs. Social Worker · Medical Social Worker vs. RN · Medical Social Worker vs. Family Therapist · Medical Social Worker vs. Community Health Worker

Healthcare Social Worker FAQ

Do healthcare social workers need an MSW?

Most hospital roles require one.

Is the field growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster-than-average growth.

Where do they work?

Hospitals, hospices, clinics, dialysis centers and home health.

How much does a healthcare social worker make?

The median annual wage for healthcare social workers was $67,880 ($32.63 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $46,220 and the highest 10% earned more than $100,360.

How long does it take to become a healthcare social worker?

Most people need about 6 years (BSW + MSW) of training. A master’s degree in social work is typical, plus supervised experience and a state license.

Do you need a degree to be a healthcare social worker?

Yes. BLS lists a master’s degree as typical. Most hospital roles require an MSW and a state social work license.

More healthcare social worker questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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