What Jobs Can I Get With a Bachelor of Social Work?

The formal discipline of social work is a thoroughly modern profession, developed in the late 19th century in response to urbanization and the disparities between rich and poor. Social workers are part missionary, part scientist, and without their work many efforts to alleviate the plight of the disadvantaged by state and private means would be less effective.

At Spring Arbor University we consider it a moral imperative to train the next generation of empathetic, ethical and innovative social workers through our online Bachelor of Social Work program. While you may have a passion for the field, you may find yourself wondering what the different types of social workers are, and the jobs available for those with bachelor’s degrees in social work. We’re here to help! Learn more about field, as well as a few alternative careers for social workers. 

Where Do Social Workers Practice? 

Social workers practice in a wide variety of settings. They can be found in hospitals, community centers, schools, Native communities, prisons, non-profit organizations, religious institutions, government and private industry. Depending on your area of interest, you can find ample opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. 

Much of the expected growth the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects is related to coming changes to America’s population and demographics. Although the trend is partially offset by immigration, America is aging rapidly. Retiring Baby Boomers will place an unprecedented strain on the nation’s medical and social health networks. This will also create a surge of openings in nursing homes and community centers with programming for at-risk or isolated seniors. 

Examples of Social Work Jobs 

As you undoubtedly already know, there are a variety of positions and jobs that a person with a bachelor degree in social work can hold. Some examples of social work jobs include: 

• Health Educators and Community Health Workers 
• Marriage and Family Therapists 
• Rehabilitation Counselors 
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 
• School and Career Counselors (Guidance Counselors) 
• Social and Community Service Managers 

While more specialized jobs can require further certifications, a bachelor’s degree offers a strong overview of basic concepts within the practice that will come in handy during the early years of your career and allow you to specialize in the different types of social work positions. A BSW typically includes a casework or placement component, helping graduates earn practical experience working with clients. 

Social Worker Salary 

The BLS indicates that there over 750,000 social workers currently employed in the US, and that the profession’s 7 percent growth rate over the next nine years far exceeds the national average. According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI),  American social workers earned a median base salary of $59,049 per year ($28.39/hour, with bonuses of $998). The statistics for Michigan are in line with the national average, with ERI reporting an annual expected salary of $58,633 ($28/hour, $991 bonuses). 

In many cases, the wages for entry-level social work jobs tend to be considerably lower than this average, while senior positions in the field trend toward $75,000 - $80,000, based on experience and credentials. 

Qualities of a Good Social Worker 

Social workers are a special breed. Their earnings will typically be less than those of business-focused professions, and the work can be mentally and emotionally taxing. You must have a genuine passion for helping others, and a deeply empathetic understanding of people that doesn’t interfere with your ability to carry out your work in a professional manner.

While social workers can adhere to any religious creed, at Spring Arbor University, our teaching is informed by Christian humanitarian principles. 

In our view, Christ was the original social worker, and we feel that the love and compassion inherent to his actions provides an ideal model for the social worker of today. Our curriculum takes into account historical and modern techniques, providing students with a secular intellectual education augmented by a spiritual core. 

Top 10 Social Work Jobs 

When it comes to employment opportunities, social workers with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) have good prospects. A social work degree is versatile: it gives graduates access to a wide breadth of career options, from working directly with clients to advocating behind the scenes. Are you considering earning a BSW? Obtaining your BSW online will allow you to complete coursework around your schedule and responsibilities and expand your hiring potential. Social workers with BSWs from accredited programs are being hired in roles such as... 

1. School Social Worker 

School social workers, or school counselors, are those who work with children or young adults in an educational setting. When you work as a school counselor, you assist children and young adults with their academic success, their long-term goals and any challenges they may face throughout the years they attend the school. 

The average income of a school social worker is roughly $59,190 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Income may vary based on your location, the specific school and your work experience. 

2. Substance Abuse Therapist 

Substance abuse therapists provide the assistance men, women and teenagers need to address addiction or substance abuse. The average compensation for a substance abuse therapist is between $34,000 and $59,000 per year, according to PayScale, but the ability to help individuals recover from substance abuse is itself a reward. 

A therapist helps individuals focus on their long-term goals and provides the tools needed to avoid drugs or alcohol in the future. 

3. Clinical Social Worker 

Generally, a clinical social worker helps men, women and children in a medical or a therapeutic setting. You may work directly with a patient or an individual to develop personal goals or to start addressing complications in the individual's lifestyle. 

Since a master’s degree in social work is needed to be a clinical social worker, getting a Bachelor of Social Work is the first step. According to PayScale, the average income of a clinical social worker is roughly $66,812 per year, though you may earn more with experience and a higher education. 

Clinical social workers may assist men and women with their search for a career, their living arrangements or any complications regarding the individual's ability to manage any difficulties they are experiencing. 

4. Child and Family Social Worker 

Child and family social workers actively participate in the community and work with families to accomplish specific goals. For example, you may work with low-income families to help the parents identify the needs of the family and start working on a long-term plan to accomplish specific goals. 

A child and family social worker also identifies children at risk of abuse or neglect and takes action to ensure the safety of children. Your career as a family social worker allows you to find foster care families for at-risk children, provide the tools a family needs to improve a child's academic performance or arrange adoptions for children. The specific job responsibilities may vary based on the needs of the children and families involved. 

The average income of a child, family and school social worker is roughly $59,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

5. Mental Health Social Worker 

When you want to work in a career related to mental health, working as a mental health social worker provides a chance to help men, women and children manage their disorders. A mental health social worker must obtain a master's degree, but he or she works directly with an individual to address complications in the individual's life in relation to their mental health condition. 

The average income for a mental health social worker, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is roughly $63,000 per year. Your income may increase over time as you gain experience. 

6. Hospice Social Worker 

Hospice social workers advocate for their patients' end-of-life wishes while helping them and their families navigate the complex emotional aspects of late-stage and terminal illnesses. Working in a hospice setting and being around patients who are nearing the end of their life can be emotionally taxing, but many hospice social workers derive a great sense of purpose from their work. The average salary for hospice social workers is roughly $60,640 according to PayScale. 

7. Case Manager 

After earning their BSW, many social workers seek to become case managers. Case managers oversee the appointments, schedules and healthcare programs of client agencies and organizations. The average annual income for entry-level case managers is just under $47,000; case managers who have obtained their Master of Social Work (MSW) can expect to make up to double that income, particularly in certain medical and acute care settings. 

8. Care Coordinator 

Case managers with experience in multiple disciplines, such as social work, mental health, occupational therapy and nursing, are perfect candidates to become care coordinators. These social workers can expect to make a greater salary than case managers, as the position of care coordinator requires more experience and comes with more responsibilities. 

9. Eligibility Worker 

Eligibility workers are often employed by state or municipal organizations. Many work directly with clients to determine if they are eligible for resources or provisions. The hourly pay of eligible workers is comparable to other entry-level positions for social workers with BSWs. Eligibility workers often receive good benefits packages and work predictable hours. 

10. Direct Support Professional (DSP) 

DSPs are social workers who work directly with individual clients. These clients often have physical limitations, intellectual disabilities or mental health diagnoses and are looking for assistance in maintaining their autonomy as they integrate into their communities. DSPs are paid about $18 per hour, though some private-paid positions offer far more pay, depending on the social worker’s responsibilities and previous experience. Some additional entry-level social work jobs for BSW graduates include the following: 

• Discharge planner 
• Psychiatric technician 
• Community support specialist 
• Advocate (such as a crime victim advocate) 
• Health and wellness educator 

Non-Traditional Jobs for Social Workers 

The core curriculum and experiential practice that students receive during a Bachelor of Social Work program open up opportunities that stretch from non-traditional social work jobs to extremely unexpected careers in a variety of other fields and industries. 

Here are a few alternative careers for social workers:  

Real estate agent: Median annual salary:  $56,620 

Police officer: Median annual salary: $74,910 

Outdoor education instructor: Median annual salary: $57,120 

Sales representative: An effective sales manager can make well over $100,000 per year, based on industry and product.   

Marketing strategist: There is great income potential in marketing, with management positions often paying over $120,000 per year.