Social workers often get a bad rep. No thanks in part to Hollywood. They’re portrayed as villains breaking families apart or putting kids in poorly run foster homes.
The truth is that most social workers have hearts of gold advocating for equal access to services in underserved communities. They are the mouthpiece of the voiceless, fighting at the frontlines for justice, equality, and social cohesion.
Yet, the disrespect is undeserved, and sometimes the pay doesn’t match the work that goes into fulfilling the role. The average social worker salary in the U.S. is $71,810 per annum, according to Talent.com. That’s about $30K less than a psychologist.
One can argue that psychologists focus on understanding and treating mental health conditions whereas social workers concentrate on case management and advocacy.
It takes a special type of person to enter the social work field. Compassionate and dedicated to improving the lives of others, social workers work with society’s most vulnerable.
Considered a calling, social work encompasses a wide spectrum of specialties. Unfortunately, compassion and a calling aren’t enough to pay the bills. Qualifying as a licensed clinical social worker can help you lead a close to comfortable life.
Earning Your Stripes
Many higher learning institutions offer clinically-focused BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) and MSW (Master of Social Work) curriculums.
However, to be considered for an MSW degree, you must have the groundwork, including BSW certification. The easiest route to obtaining your Master’s is via advanced standing online MSW programs.
Compared to traditional MSW programs, earning an online master’s is the quickest pathway for advanced-standing students.
The coursework can be completed over two years and you’ll be able to pursue licensure and become a clinical social worker (LCSW). Qualified CSWs can independently assess, diagnose, and treat patients, boosting earnings, autonomy, and influence.
Florida State University says as the demand for skilled social workers continues to grow, earning an MSW builds clinical competence to support communities.
Show Me the Money
There’s no shame in following the money. That’s why social workers look for roles outside their states.
Fortune did a comparative analysis of which U.S. states paid the most. Taking experience, background, qualifications, and field into consideration, the publication analyzed the salaries of social workers across the country.
The cost of living was also factored in. Due to high housing and food costs, Hawaii, Alaska, the Northeast, and the West Coast were the most expensive states.
The most affordable areas were in the Midwest and South where living expenses were lower.
States By Numbers
Using data collected by ZipRecruiter, Fortune found that Massachusetts ranked the highest with an average social worker salary of $89,328 and a cost of living at 144.3.
Oregon came in a close second. The annual salary was $88,018 while the cost of living was rated 114.1. Louisiana, Florida, and West Virginia were the least-paying states in the bottom 50.
Another analysis conducted by Psychology.org found that New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Oklahoma were the top-paying states. Unlike Fortune’s findings, it stated that social workers earn an average annual salary of over $90,000 in these regions.
However, it didn’t note if it took the cost of living into account.
Psychology.com also stated that social workers in certain specialties earn higher salaries in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Cruz region of California. The state is the highest-paying state for healthcare social workers, with an average annual salary of over $93,000.
The Current State of Social Work
Mental health service providers are in short supply in the U.S. Most states prohibit social workers from offering telehealth services across state lines.
It’s a huge inconvenience for thousands of patients, especially when parting with a practitioner who’s been a good fit. Social worker Stefani Goerlich tells Stateline that statistically patients are more likely to stop therapy altogether.
Several states are attempting to address the problem by allowing social workers to practice across state lines. The Social Work Licensure Compact lets social workers obtain a multistate license, enabling them to treat patients in participating states.
Missouri became the first state to approve compact legislation in July 2023. Since then, 14 others have joined, and at least 17 more are considering similar bills.
As you’ve noticed, qualifying as a social worker isn’t about the money. However, depending on your certifications, experience, and field of expertise, you can earn a comfortable salary in certain states.
Arm yourself with an advanced standing program after completing your bachelor’s degree. You might even qualify for financial aid.
