Social Worker
Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.
- $59,550
- 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW
Education & Childcare career
Social Work Professor
Also called: Social Work Faculty · Field Education Director · MSW Program Faculty · Social Welfare Professor
What social work professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a social work professor do?
Social work teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in social work and human services, and supervise field placements. The median pay is $77,570 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 8+ years including practice, and employment is projected to grow +2.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$77,570Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+2.6%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year1,100Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train8+ years including practiceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs16,000Employment, 2025
What social work professors do
Social work professors prepare the next generation of social workers. They teach practice, policy, human behavior and research courses, coordinate field placements in agencies, research issues like child welfare, poverty and mental health, and partner with community organizations.
Most hold a Ph.D. or DSW plus an MSW and practice experience; programs accredited by CSWE often require MSW faculty for practice courses.
Typical duties
- Teach social work courses
- Coordinate field placements
- Conduct research
- Partner with agencies
- Advise students
- Publish research
- Support accreditation
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in classrooms, offices and community agencies.
Schedule: Teaching, field coordination and research, with some evening classes.
A day in the life
- Teach a practice skills course.
- Meet a field placement agency.
- Analyze child welfare data.
- Teach social policy.
See a full day in the life of a social work professor →
Social Work Professor salary
Half of social work professors earned more than $77,570 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,200 for the lowest 10% to $126,790 for the top 10%.
Full social work professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a social work professor
- Earn a BSW or bachelor’s
- Earn an MSW
- Practice
- Earn a Ph.D. or DSW
- Get hired
A Ph.D. or DSW plus an MSW and practice experience is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a social work professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Social work practice
- Social policy
- Research methods
- Field education
- Curriculum design
People skills
- Empathy
- Mentoring
- Communication
- Collaboration
All social work professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Mission-driven teaching
- Community partnerships
- Research with social impact
- Flexible schedule
Cons
- Lower pay for academia
- Emotionally heavy topics
- Field placement logistics
- Accreditation paperwork
Certifications and licenses
- Ph.D. or DSW: Doctoral degree.
- MSW: Professional degree.
- LCSW: Clinical license, valued.
- Research grants: Federal and foundations.
Career path
- Field Instructor: Supervise students.
- Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Dean: Lead schools.
Learn the job before day one
Our Social Work Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach interviewing with role-play and match students to field placements, safety and how to land your first job.
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Social Work Professor FAQ
Do social work professors need an MSW?
Usually, especially to teach practice courses.
Do they need a doctorate?
Usually a Ph.D. or DSW.
What is field education?
Supervised practice in agencies, a core part of social work programs.
How much does a social work professor make?
The median annual wage for social work professors was $77,570 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,200 and the highest 10% earned more than $126,790.
How long does it take to become a social work professor?
Most people need about 8+ years including practice of training. A Ph.D. or DSW plus an MSW and practice experience is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a social work professor?
Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a doctorate, while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree and professional experience.
More social work professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1113 (Social work teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Social work teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.