Healthcare Social Worker
Help patients and families cope with illness and plan care after the hospital.
- $67,880
- 6 years (BSW + MSW)
Community, Social & Government Services career
Social Worker
Also called: Child and Family Social Worker · School Social Worker · Child Protective Services Worker · Case Worker
What 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.
What does a social worker do?
Child, family and school social workers help people cope with problems such as abuse, poverty, housing and school difficulties, connecting them with services and protecting children. The median pay is $59,550 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW, and employment is projected to grow +4.4% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$59,550$28.63/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+4.4%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year33,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSWTypical program length
- U.S. jobs405,100Employment, 2025
What social workers do
Social workers help people through some of the hardest moments in their lives. Child and family social workers investigate abuse and neglect reports, support families, arrange foster care and adoption, and connect people with housing, food, health care and counseling. School social workers help students with attendance, behavior, family issues and mental health.
Most entry roles require a bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) or a related field, and clinical roles require a master’s (MSW). States license social workers at different levels. Demand is steady, and the work is meaningful but emotionally demanding.
Typical duties
- Assess client needs and risks
- Investigate child welfare reports
- Develop case and safety plans
- Connect clients to services and benefits
- Visit homes and schools
- Write case notes and court reports
- Advocate for clients
Work environment and schedule
Social workers work in offices, schools, homes, courts and the community, sometimes in tense situations.
Schedule: Most work full-time; child welfare workers may have on-call, evening and weekend duty.
A day in the life
- Review new cases and safety concerns.
- Make a home visit to check on a family.
- Meet a school counselor about a student’s attendance.
- Call a housing agency for a client.
See a full day in the life of a social worker →
Social Worker salary
Half of social workers earned more than $59,550 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $42,280 for the lowest 10% to $95,530 for the top 10%.
Full social worker pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a social worker
- Volunteer in human services
- Earn a BSW
- Get licensed
- Gain experience
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field is typical for entry roles; a master’s in social work is required for clinical practice.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a social worker →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Case management
- Risk and safety assessment
- Interviewing
- Documentation
- Resource navigation
People skills
- Empathy
- Boundaries
- Communication
- Resilience
All social worker skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deeply meaningful work
- Many settings and specialties
- Path to clinical licensure
- Steady demand
Cons
- Emotionally heavy cases
- High caseloads
- Paperwork and court deadlines
- Pay can be modest for the education
Certifications and licenses
- Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW): Entry-level license in many states.
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW): Master’s-level license.
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): Clinical license after supervised experience.
- School social work certification: Required for school roles in many states.
Career path
- Case Aide: Support caseworkers.
- Social Worker: Manage cases.
- Clinical Social Worker: Provide therapy with an LCSW.
- Supervisor or Director: Lead programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Social Worker training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as conduct a child welfare home visit and write clear case notes, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Social Worker vs. Medical Social Worker · Social Worker vs. School Counselor · Social Worker vs. Human Services Assistant · Social Worker vs. Probation Officer
Social Worker FAQ
Do social workers need a license?
Many roles require a state license, especially clinical roles.
What’s the difference between a BSW and MSW?
A BSW prepares for entry roles; an MSW is required for clinical work and many advanced jobs.
Is social work stressful?
It can be, especially in child welfare, so supervision and self-care matter.
How much does a social worker make?
The median annual wage for social workers was $59,550 ($28.63 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $42,280 and the highest 10% earned more than $95,530.
How long does it take to become a social worker?
Most people need about 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW of training. A bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field is typical for entry roles; a master’s in social work is required for clinical practice.
Do you need a degree to be a social worker?
Yes. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, usually a BSW or a related field, and clinical social work requires a master’s degree and a license.
More social worker questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 21-1021 (Child, family, and school social workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Child, family, and school social workers (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.