Help people cope with challenges, connecting them to resources and services and advocating for their needs.
You may also see this posted as: Case Manager, Family Protection Specialist, Family Service Worker, School Social Worker, Adoption Social Worker, Case Worker.
Offices, schools, homes, and hospitals; travel to clients is common.
Full-time; some evenings, weekends, and on-call.
Social
helping, teaching, caring for, or supporting other people
Conventional
organizing information, following systems, and getting details right
Investigative
solving problems, analyzing evidence, and figuring out how things work
O*NET job zone 4 of 5
High preparation—usually a four-year degree plus experience—is common.
Examples employers report—not a checklist you must already know.
May 2025 BLS wage & employment data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
BLS estimates 0.2% of workers in this occupation are self-employed.
Statewide medians are a better starting point than the national number. Your city and experience still matter.
Bachelor's degree
Training path: BSW; clinical roles need the MSW.
Related work experience: None.
On-the-job training: None.
Clinical roles require a state license; many positions need a social work degree.
Licensing rules and available programs change by state. These federal tools take you to the current official listings.
Heavy, meaningful work — public-service loan forgiveness fits it perfectly.
Run the Reality Check — build the life you want and see the salary it takes, then compare it to this one.
Browse verified internships, fellowships, and programs — many paid — that lead into fields like this.
Free resume templates, interview practice, and getting-hired guides in the Careers kit.
Standard Occupational Classification 21-1021. Pay and employment from the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey; outlook and openings from the 2024–34 employment projections; job context from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; tasks, interests, work styles, software examples, and job zone from O*NET 30.3. See something off? Tell us.