What Does a Social Worker Do?
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Social workers interact with various populations, providing services and connecting people with the necessary resources. This highly in-demand field is among the most popular community and human service occupations in the U.S.
This guide covers a social worker’s typical responsibilities and specializations. Learn more about licensure requirements, where you might work, and this growing profession’s potential rewards and challenges.
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What is a Social Worker’s Responsibilities?
Social workers create and implement plans to help people and communities meet their needs, such as housing, mental and physical health, food, and safety.
Social workers may work with communities, populations, families, groups, or individuals, depending on their license type and interest area. They work with various populations, such as:
- Veterans, active military, and their families
- Older adults
- Children and families
- People with chronic health conditions
- People experiencing homelessness
- People with mental health or substance misuse conditions
Social workers’ responsibilities include assessing clients’ needs, connecting them with resources, conducting follow-ups, managing case files, and advocating for resources and policy changes. Their responsibilities vary based on their education, license type, and setting.
For example, a licensed baccalaureate social worker (LBSW) may identify populations in need, advocate for community resources, and create and implement intervention plans. Yet, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) can assess, diagnose and treat mental health conditions for individual clients.
Research How to Become a Social Worker by State
Each state sets its social work licensing requirements. Some states allow you to pursue licensure with a BSW, while others require a master’s degree. Other requirements include getting the required experience and passing your state’s social work licensure exam.
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Where Does a Social Worker Work?
Social workers work in many places, including hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, child welfare agencies, and private practices.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the largest employers of social workers are individual and family services. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reports that 34% of social workers work with children and families.
Social work responsibilities vary by setting. For example, hospital social workers guide patients through healthcare and offer emotional support.
Meanwhile, those in schools help with students’ education and emotions. In child welfare, social workers protect children by identifying and addressing situations of abuse, neglect, or harm. In mental health clinics, social workers provide therapy and crisis intervention.
Rewards and Challenges of a Career in Social Work
A career in social work offers many rewards. It includes the opportunity to make a huge impact on people and communities. Social workers may find fulfillment in helping others overcome challenges and improve their lives.
However, social work can also be demanding and emotionally taxing. Social workers often manage high caseloads and complex cases, and it’s crucial to stay emotionally resilient and manage stress. Balancing these rewards and challenges is key to a successful and lasting career in social work.
Understanding Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Social Work Practice
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) organizes social work practices into three systems: micro, mezzo, and macro social work. Each system relies on the “person-in-environment (PIE) theory,” which frames how social workers understand and work with the issues clients face in society. While the categories are helpful, social workers might blend their boundaries and work on multiple levels, supporting individuals, groups, and communities.
Micro Social Work
Social workers need at least a master’s in social work (MSW) and a clinical social work license in their state to practice micro social work. At this level, social workers counsel individuals and groups, create and implement treatment plans, and connect individuals with resources to meet their needs. They diagnose individuals with mental health and substance misuse conditions, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5).
Mezzo Social Work
Social workers at the mezzo level interact with groups and specific populations, such as older adults, children and families, veterans, unhoused people, and incarcerated individuals. These roles usually need at least an MSW and a state license to practice social work at the generalist or clinical level. They plan and implement programs, connect clients with resources, and follow up with clients to ensure progress.
Macro Social Work
All social workers can practice at the macro level, regardless of their license. Macro social workers focus on implementing societal changes through policy changes or community resources that benefit the specific population in which they specialize. They advocate for policy change and community resources, develop and analyze policy, and connect with other social workers to stay up-to-date on best practices in the field.
Entry-Level Social Work Careers
Earning either a bachelor of social work (BSW) or an associate degree in social work (ASW) opens the doors to entry-level social work careers. Graduates who hold an MSW can pursue more advanced positions and higher pay.
Social workers with bachelor’s degrees can find jobs as social and human service assistants, case managers, and social science research assistants. They also work at the macro social work level, influencing the policymakers who create and fund public programs.
Care Coordinator
Care coordinators help clients navigate the healthcare system and help healthcare teams plan care for patients.
They explain diagnosis and treatment plans to patients, help patients understand the risks and benefits of taking or refusing treatment, and educate families on patients’ diagnoses. They also help with discharge planning and continuity of care by connecting patients to the resources they’ll need when they go home.
Care coordinators need at least a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. They make an average of $51,860 per year, according to Payscale data from June 2024.
Social and Human Service Assistant
Social and human services assistants help social workers identify what kind of assistance clients need, create intervention plans, research services, coordinate resources, and help clients fill out paperwork to apply for services such as food stamps or housing assistance.
Social and human services assistants make an average of $44,240 per year, according to BLS data. In some states, you can become a licensed social work associate without a bachelor’s degree or with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work.
Residential Counselor
Residential counselors work with people who live in residential facilities, including older adults, people with disabilities, and people with mental health and substance use conditions. They may provide individual and group counseling, teach clients life skills to help them gain independence, and identify potential issues or crises and try to prevent them. They also evaluate clients continually and make recommendations when clients are ready for discharge.
Residential counselors make an average of $44,510 per year, according to Payscale data from June 2024. Some positions may require an LCSW so that you can provide individual and group counseling without supervision.
Social Science Research Assistant
Social science research assistants help researchers with administrative tasks. As a social science research assistant, you will collect, document, and analyze data and information, keep updated on industry knowledge, train other social science assistants, and communicate with peers and supervisors. Social science research assistants make an average of $62,370 per year, according to BLS data. You’ll need a BSW to become a social science research assistant.
Social Work Case Manager
Social work case managers help clients by creating an intervention plan, connecting them to resources, and advocating for them. Case managers make an annual average salary of $47,576, according to Payscale data from June 2024.
You can become a social work case manager with as little as an associate’s degree in social work, but you may find more career advancement opportunities with a BSW or MSW. You can also get a certification in case management from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) with three years of experience at the bachelor’s or master’s level.
Social Work Careers by Specialty
MSW graduates typically work in specialty fields, such as child and family services, geriatrics, military, and mental health and substance misuse. While most social workers who specialize in specific fields hold an advanced degree, graduates with a bachelor’s degree can also work in niche areas.
Earning the corresponding NASW credential provides a social worker with additional professional recognition to pursue work in:
- Case management
- Gerontology
- Hospice
- Palliative care
- Youth and family services
Most NASW certifications require a master’s degree. However, graduates who hold a bachelor’s degree can qualify for certain NASW certifications in gerontology and case management. These credentials let employers know that social workers meet industry standards.
Child and Family Social Workers
Child and family social workers help protect at-risk children and support families. According to the BLS, these professionals make a median annual salary of $53,940.
These social workers respond to crises and help families access services, such as food assistance programs and housing opportunities. Becoming a child and family social worker often requires a BSW or MSW along with a state license.
School Social Worker
School districts often hire school social workers to identify and assist students. These professionals partner with teachers and parents to create plans that address any emotional, behavioral, social, or academic issues.
Licensed school social workers often hold a master’s degree and a Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) certification from NASW. Yet, specific requirements vary by state. According to Payscale data from June 2024, school social workers earn an average annual salary of $53,460. Most CSWE-surveyed school social workers work in elementary schools and preschools but can be found at all levels of education and academics.
Mental Health Social Worker
You’ll need at least an MSW and an LCSW to become a mental health social worker. In this role, you’ll work with people who have substance use and/or mental health conditions.
You’ll counsel individuals and groups, connect clients to resources such as 12-step programs, use the DSM-5 to diagnose individuals, and follow up with clients.
Mental health and substance use social workers earn an annual mean salary of $66,350, according to Payscale data from June 2024.
Substance Use Social Worker
Substance use social workers can find employment at rehabilitation facilities, hospitals, and detention centers. In these settings, professionals assess, counsel, and create interventions to help individuals with alcohol and substance use problems.
You’ll need an MSW and an LCSW, or your state’s equivalent, to become a mental health or substance use social worker or work one-on-one with individuals with mental health conditions without supervision.
According to the BLS data, substance use social workers earn an average salary of $63,870 per year.
Healthcare Social Worker
Healthcare social workers provide information and services to help clients navigate healthcare more easily. They help people understand medical diagnoses or educate doctors and healthcare professionals about a patient’s needs.
According to the BLS, healthcare social workers earn a median annual wage of $62,940. In addition to providing client-based services, they can also influence healthcare policy and advocate for patients’ rights.
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical social workers can practice at any level of social work, from big-picture advocacy and policy change to diagnosing and treating individuals with substance use and mental health conditions.
As an LCSW, you can make an average of $66,070 per year, according to Payscale data from June 2024. Other skills include patient assessment, patient counseling, project management or people management.
Social and Community Service Manager
To become a social and community service manager, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree, but some employers may require a master’s degree. As a social and community service manager, you’ll identify necessary programs and services, suggest and implement changes to existing programs, advocate for and raise awareness about the services in your community, and oversee programs to ensure they meet their objectives.
Social and community service managers juggle multiple tasks, such as writing grant proposals, managing administrative staff, and monitoring the success of outreach work. They make a median annual salary of $77,030, according to BLS data from May 2023.
Social Work Teacher
Social work professors develop curriculums, teach classes at the postsecondary level, help students form their dissertations and research projects, and conduct their own research. They also help supervise students during their field placements and may also oversee departments and manage other professors.
If you want to become a social work professor, skills in research analysis, clinical research, and grant writing may help you stand out. Some educators may need to earn a doctorate. Pay for social work teachers depends on the setting. Postsecondary social work educators make a median annual salary of $75,020, according to BLS.
Q&A With Melissa Bronstein, LICSW
Melissa Bronstein, LICSW, is a licensed independent clinical social worker and psychotherapist. Melissa has a virtual private practice in Massachusetts specializing in supporting high-achieving young professionals with anxiety and chronic health conditions.
Melissa holds an MSW in advanced clinical practice from Columbia University and a BA in gender and sexuality studies from Tulane University. She is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional (CCATP).
What are some common misconceptions about pursuing a career in social work, and how would you address them?
While challenging, social work can be an extremely rewarding career that is very different from what is represented on TV or in the movies. Social workers can work in different settings and with various populations, allowing them to choose a path that fits their talents, needs, and interests to do meaningful and impactful work.
How do you see the role of social workers evolving in the future?
As communities’ needs grow, so will the need for social workers. In addition to more traditional social work roles, social workers are skilled policy makers, HR professionals, and project managers who can be an asset to any team and field.
In recent years, we have seen incredible developments in technology and telehealth. I look forward to seeing these innovations, with special care for the unique nature and ethics that our field requires.
What advice would you give to individuals considering a career in social work or exploring this field for the first time?
The field is vast, with so many different opportunities for the types of work and the populations you’re working with. I recommend entering the field with an open mind and committing to immersing yourself in all aspects of the experience so you can gain as wide a breadth of knowledge as possible. Remember to be guided by your values and code of ethics, which requires humility, empathy, and strong cultural competency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Social Work
What field of social work pays the most?
According to the BLS, the highest-paying field of social work is “Social Workers, All Other,” with a median annual salary of $63,770. This category may include forensic, trauma, rehabilitation, and other social workers without a dedicated category. Healthcare social workers are the second highest paid, earning $62,940.
Why is social work a good career?
Social work is an excellent career as it provides the chance to positively influence the lives of individuals, families, and communities. According to the CSWE, 90% of social workers feel that their work is meaningful and impactful.
How long does it take to complete an MSW?
Completing a Master of Social Work (MSW) usually takes two years of full-time study. However, some programs offer accelerated options that can be completed in as little as one year.
What is the difference between social work licensure and social work certification?
Becoming a licensed social worker allows individuals to use the social worker title and practice social work under state law. The process often requires additional post-graduate education and a passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards exam. Certification, such as those offered through NASW, is optional and gives social workers recognition in specific specialties like case management or education.
