A very common concern and question among aspiring social workers if they’ll be able to get high paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree in social work. The answer to this question varies in much the same way as the wages vary. Wage potential for graduates of social work bachelor degree programs have a lot to do with work experience, employer and area of specialization. Read more and learn about the possibilities.
Social Work Education Requirements
To become a social worker, individuals must have at least a bachelor’s degree. The most common degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Some employers will hire candidates that hold a bachelor degree in sociology, psychology or a related field.
Students in a BSW program complete coursework and are also required to compete internships or supervised fieldwork. The bureau reports that there are more than 500 bachelor degree programs as of 2017. These programs prepare students for various job titles within the area of social work. The wages one can earn will depend on not just the level of study completed but also the job title.
Potential Wages for Social Workers
According to a May 2016 report by the BLS, social workers overall earned a median annual wage of $46,890. The wages fluctuated depending on the type of social worker. For instance, the median annual wage for child, family and school social workers was $43,250 whereas healthcare social workers earned $53,760.
Those in the “social workers, other” category earned $60,230. The following five states were the top paying states for social workers as of 2016.
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- New Jersey
- Rhode Island
- Illinois
Salary.com reported that social workers with a BSW earned a median annual wage of $55,181 with the wages ranging from about $43,026 to $67,921 or more. This report was as of March 1, 2018.
Although HumanServicesEdu reports that social workers who earn master degrees in social work can increase their wages by at least 25 percent, it’s still very possible to get a high paying job with a bachelor degree.
Careers Available with Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work
Social workers with a bachelor’s degree may find many jobs available upon graduation. One of the things that makes social work such an interesting field is that are so many job titles and types of agencies that utilize social workers. Here are some possible job titles a social worker with a bachelor’s degree such as a Bachelor of Human Services, Bachelor of Psychology or Bachelor of Sociology might hold.
- Juvenile court liaison
- Probation officer
- Eligibility worker
- Rehabilitation case worker
- Case management aide
- Teen parent worker
- Eligibility screener
- Behavioral management aide
- Child welfare screener
- Community outreach worker
The wages for these job titles can vary from one employer as well as from one city or state to another. The years of work experience the individual has also plays a big part in determining not just the wages but also the job title for which the individual is hired.
Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Social Work Degree Programs
Social workers are basically in the business of helping others solve problems to make their lives better. Few things can be as satisfying and rewarding as that. Earning a bachelor degree in some type of social work can lead to a high-paying job and the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference.
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