Social workers are found in every facet of community life, including schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, senior centers, elected office, private practices, prisons, military, corporations, and in numerous public and private agencies.
Some social workers help clients who face a disability or a life-threatening disease or a social problem, such as inadequate housing, unemployment, or substance abuse. Social workers also assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, sometimes involving child or spousal abuse.
Some social workers conduct research, advocate for improved services, engage in systems design or are involved in planning or policy development. Many social workers specialize in serving a particular population or working in a specific setting.
Administration and Management
Social work administrators are proactive leaders in public and private agencies that provide services to clients. Many elements of this area of social work practice are common to administration in other organizations. However, administration and management also require knowledge about social policy and the delivery of social services, vision for future planning, an understanding of human behavior, and commitment to social work ethics and values.
What Social Workers Do
Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
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 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 67,300 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.