Career Outlook

Career outlook

Social workers; child and family social workers; medical and public health social workers; mental health and substance abuse social workers are some of the positions available in the Social Work field.

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics provided the following career information:

  • Employment in social work is projected to grow much faster than average
  • About five out of 10 jobs are in health care and social assistance industries
  • About three in 10 social workers are employed with state and local government agencies
  • More opportunity for jobs will exist in underserved rural and suburban areas
  • Job prospects are expanding in gerontology and may also be high in substance abuse treatment

Salaries

The median annual earnings of child, family and school social workers were $37,480 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,590 and $49,060. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,480 and the top 10 percent earned more than $62,530. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of child, family, and school social workers in May 2006 were:

  • Elementary and secondary schools – $48,360
  • Local government – $43,500
  • State government – $39,000
  • Individual and family services – $32,680
  • Other residential care facilities – $32,590

Medical and public health social workers median annual income in May 2006 was $43,040. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,110 and $53,740. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,280 and the top 10 percent earned more than $64,070. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and public health social workers in May 2006 were:

  • General medical and surgical hospitals – $48,420
  • Home health care services – $44,470
  • Local government – $41,590
  • Nursing care facilities – $38,550
  • Individual and family services – $35,510

The median annual earnings of mental health and substance abuse social workers was $35,410 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $27,940 and $45,720. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,490 and the top 10 percent earned more than $57,630. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of mental health and substance abuse social workers in May 2006 were:

  • Local government – $39,550
  • Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals – $39,240
  • Individual and family services – $34,920
  • Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance abuse facilities – $30,590
  • Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers – $34,290

Finally, the median annual earnings of all other types of social workers was $43,580 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $32,530 and $56,420. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,540 and the top 10 percent earned more than $68,500. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of all other types of social workers in May 2006 were:

  • Local government – $46,330
  • State government – $45,070
  • Individual and family services – $35,150