Division of Social Work

Careers in Social Work

Social workers holding the M.S.W. degree provide a variety of services depending largely on the setting in which they are employed. Some of these services and settings are described below.

Clinical-Direct Service

• About 70% of master degree social workers provide direct or clinical services to individuals, families, and/or groups. These individuals will be found in mental health agencies, hospitals, and clinics or in private practice.
• In addition, some will be employed in family and children agencies and as school social workers. Others will be employed in occupational social work and employee assistance programs helping workers cope with social and emotional problems.
• The most common problems facing social workers in this arena include family issues, health and mental difficulties, individual behavior, and substance abuse.

• It is not uncommon to find graduate level social workers either administering programs and agencies or providing supervision to practitioners holding a baccalaureate degree.
• About 21% of all M.S.W.'s are employed in these capacities. For example, the chief social worker in hospitals is likely to have the M.S.W. degree.

• About three percent of social workers are employed in social work education.
• Of course, those who go on and earn a doctorate are much more likely to earn their living as faculty at the over 500 accredited social work programs in colleges and universities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.

• Social workers are found in a number of other practice arenas beside those mentioned above.
• For example, some will be working as policy analysts for legislative bodies, providing research on social and mental health problems, and training other professionals.
• Others will be engaged in advocacy for populations-at-risk and in community organizing.

• The average 2001 salary reported for social workers differed depending upon whether they possessed a B.S.W., M.S.W., or doctorate.
• As expected, those holding the M.S.W. and doctorate earned higher salaries than those with only an undergraduate degree.
• In 2001, the median starting salaries for MSW's was  $40,000 (NASW Practice Research Network PRN 2:1 2003).
• Salaries also differ from region to region within the U.S. and across various settings.
• Higher salaries were received by social workers in private practice and those working in private business and industry.

Data on this page is from a 2003 member survey conducted by the National Association of Social Workers.  These figures reflect full-time employment only.