What Jobs Can I Get With a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work? (2023)

The formal discipline of social work is a thoroughly modern profession, developed in the late 19th century in response to urbanization and inequalities between rich and poor. Social workers are part missionary, part scientist, and without their work, many government and private efforts to alleviate the plight of the disadvantaged would be ineffective. At Spring Arbor University, we consider it a moral imperative to educate the next generation of compassionate, ethical, and innovative social workers through our education.Online Bachelor of Social Work. This article takes a look at the current market for social work jobs.

Where do social workers work?

Social workers work in a wide variety of fields. They can be found in hospitals, community centers, schools, indigenous communities, prisons, nonprofit organizations, religious institutions, governments, and private businesses. Depending on your area of ​​interest, you'll find ample opportunities to make a significant difference in people's lives.

Much of the expected growth that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects has to do with upcoming changes in the population and demographics of the United States. While the trend is partially offset by immigration, the United States is aging rapidly. The retirement of baby boomers will put unprecedented pressure on the nation's medical and social health networks. It will also create a number of openings in nursing homes and community centers with programs for vulnerable or isolated seniors.

Examples of Social Service Jobs

If you type "social work" into a job listing service like Monster or Indeed, it will show a variety of different jobs for those with a bachelor's degree in social work. Some examples of welfare work are:

• health educators and community health agents
• Marriage and family therapists
• rehabilitation
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
• School and Career Counselor (Professional Counselor)
• Social and Community Services Manager

While more specialized jobs may require more certifications, a bachelor's degree provides a solid understanding of fundamental concepts in practice that will come in handy during the early years of your career. A BSW typically includes a casework or internship component that helps graduates gain hands-on experience working with clients.

social worker salaries

The BLS states that there are currently more than 630,000 social workers employed in the United States and that the profession's 16% growth rate over the next eight years will far exceed the national average. According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), in 2018, American social workers earned a median base salary of $64,730 per year ($31/hour with a $1,249 bonus). Michigan's statistics are in line with the national average, with the ERI reporting an expected annual salary of $65,557 ($32/hour, $1,265 in bonuses).

In many cases, entry-level social work jobs often pay well below this average, while senior positions range from $75,000 to $80,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Is social work for you?

Social workers are a special breed. Their earnings are often lower than for business-oriented jobs, and the work can be mentally and emotionally draining. You must have a genuine passion for helping others and a deeply empathetic understanding of people that does not interfere with your ability to do your job professionally. While social workers can be of any religious belief, our teaching at Spring Arbor University is based on Christian humanitarian principles.

In our opinion, Christ was the original social worker, and we believe that the love and compassion inherent in his actions provide an ideal model for today's social worker. Our curriculum incorporates historical and modern techniques, providing students with a secular intellectual education complemented by a spiritual core.

Top 10 Social Work Jobs

In terms of career 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 variety of career opportunities, from working directly with clients to advocating behind the scenes. Are you considering buying a BSW? Putting your BSW online allows you to take courses around your schedule and responsibilities and expand your hiring potential. Social workers with BSWs from accredited programs are hired in roles such as...

1. School Social Worker

School social workers are people who work with children or youth in an educational setting. By working as a school counselor, you will support children and youth in their academic success, their long-term goals, and any challenges they may encounter while attending school.

The median income for a school social worker is around $60,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Earnings may vary based on location, specific school and your work experience.

2. Substance Abuse Therapist

Substance abuse therapists provide men, women, and teens with the support they need to deal with substance abuse or addiction. The average salary for a substance abuse therapist is around $36,000 a year, according to PayScale, but the ability to help people recover from substance abuse is a reward in itself.

A therapist helps people focus on their long-term goals and gives them the tools they need to avoid drugs or alcohol in the future.

3. Clinical Social Worker

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

Since a master's degree in social work is required to be a clinical social worker, earning a bachelor's degree in social work is the first step. According to PayScale, the average clinical social worker makes about $52,000 a year, though you can earn more with experience and higher education.

Clinical social workers can help men and women with their professional activities, their living conditions, or with complications related to an individual's ability to cope.

4. Child and family social workers

Child and family social workers are active in the community and work with families to achieve specific goals. For example, you can work with low-income families to help parents identify family needs and start working on a long-term plan to achieve specific goals.

A child and family social worker also identifies children at risk of abuse or neglect and takes steps to ensure the safety of the children. Your career as a family social worker will enable you to find foster families for at-risk children, provide the funds a family needs to improve a child's academic performance, or arrange for children to be adopted. Specific job responsibilities may vary based on the needs of the children and families involved.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for a child, family and school social worker is approximately $46,000 a year.

5. Mental Health Social Workers

If you want to work in a career related to mental health, working as a mental health social worker provides an opportunity to help men, women, and children cope with their disorders. A mental health social worker is required to earn a master's degree, but he or she works directly with a person to address complications in the person's life related to their mental health condition.

The median income for a mental health social worker is around $42,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Your income can increase over time as you gain experience.

6. Hospice Social Worker

Hospice social workers advocate for their patients' end-of-life wishes and help them and their families navigate the complex emotional aspects of late-stage and terminal illness. Working in hospice close to patients nearing the end of their lives can be emotionally draining, but many hospice social workers derive great meaning from their work. The median salary for hospice social workers is around $50,000, according to PayScale.

7. Fall Manager

After earning their BSW, many social workers aspire to become case managers. Case managers oversee the appointments, schedules, and health care schedules of client agencies and organizations. The median annual income for entry-level case managers is just under $35,000; Case managers who earn their Master of Social Work (MSW) degree can expect to double that income, particularly in certain critical care and medical settings.

8. Care Coordinator

Case managers with experience in various disciplines, such as social work, mental health, occupational therapy, and nursing, are perfect candidates to become nurse coordinators. These social workers can expect higher salaries than case managers because the job of care coordinator requires more experience and comes with more responsibility.

9. Worker permits

Eligible employees are often employed by state or local government organizations. Many work directly with clients to determine if they are eligible for features or commissions. The hourly wage for workers in the law is comparable to other entry-level social worker positions with BSW. Skilled workers generally receive good benefits packages and work predictable hours.

10. Direct Support Professional (DSP)

DSPs are social workers who work directly with individual clients. Often with physical limitations, intellectual disabilities, or mental health diagnoses, these clients seek support to maintain their autonomy while integrating into their communities. DSPs are paid around $10 per hour, although some private positions pay much more, depending on the social worker's responsibilities and prior experience. Some additional entry-level social service jobs for BSW graduates include:

• discharge planner
• Psychiatry Technician
• Community Support Specialist
• Attorney (eg, attorney for crime victims)
• Health and wellness educator

Non-Traditional Jobs for Social Workers

There is a common misconception that a social work degree is only good for one thing: social work! The truth is that the core curriculum and hands-on experience students receive during a social work degree program opens up opportunities ranging from non-traditional social work jobs to highly unexpected careers in a variety of other fields and industries.

Five non-traditional jobs you can do with your online BSW are:

1. real estate agent

Trust is the foundation of a relationship with a real estate agent and is essential when working with clients in a social work environment. This parallel shows how a degree in social work can lead to a career in real estate. Building a sense of authenticity and transparency is the foundation of a good working relationship, making these two areas more similar than different.

Agents with some experience in social services can build that trust sooner and better anticipate client needs than those without that experience. The work environment can be hectic, diverse, and change from day to day. A licensed broker can typically earn around $56,000 a year, although experience and region affect this number and many can earn more than $100,000 a year.

2. police

Social service education and practice can be a big part of law enforcement work, especially when it comes to mediating disputes and calming people in crisis. Social work studies can teach crisis response and promote empathy among all populations, which are powerful skills for anyone in law enforcement.

The median annual salary for a police officer is just over $60,000.

3. Outdoor instructor

While some people withDegree in social workbehind a desk, this is certainly not the only option. If you love spending time outdoors, consider how a Bachelor of Social Work can open the doors to some of the best careers around! From outdoor recreation therapists to instructors, these professionals can bring together the skills of a social service curriculum to share the love and therapeutic benefits of the outdoors with their clients and students.

The work environment will likely draw you into this area with your online BSW; These types of positions are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who are good at working independently but are also effective team members. The average salary for outdoor recreation therapists is around $46,000 based on experience and job responsibility, depending on the program or institution you work for.

4. Commercial Agent

To be a great salesperson, you need to be an effective communicator, so it stands to reason that going from sales to social service, or vice versa, isn't a quantum leap. Both fields rely heavily on exemplary communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, to reach and connect with their intended audience.

A social work degree can give you the tools you need to earn trust, build a relationship, and close deals. Sales can be a competitive field and it is not for the introverted or complacent. An effective sales manager can earn upwards of $100,000 a year, depending on the industry and product.

5. Marketing strategy

Advertisers and marketers need to know how best to communicate and reach their desired target audience of buyers, and social service training can give them insight into the psyche of potential customers. They can spot ad campaigns that entice shoppers and compel them to choose one product over another. Also, there are many different non-verbal communication techniques, i. H. Body language that can further inspire the target customer, client, or consumer to take an action, purchase, or contact a particular business.

If you are organized, creative and a team player, the marketing strategy could be a good option for you. There is great earning potential in marketing, with management positions typically paying in excess of $120,000 a year.

take the next step

Is it time to get a bachelor's degree in social work? Open doors to a variety of jobs and careers with your online BSW degree from Spring Arbor University, a regionally accredited nonprofit institution that has provided educational opportunities to students for more than 100 years. Your online social work degree can prepare you for a variety of positions in the field and also contribute to some exciting ventures outside of traditional field jobs.

Contact us today for a brochure to find outBSW online programInformation, course descriptions and more about our school.