Where Can Social Workers Work? (Beyond the Obvious)
9 Min Read
Modern social work is evolving. Fast-growing populations and the changing needs of diverse communities have created a greater demand for social workers in industries that may not be obvious when thinking of areas of social work.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of community and social service is growing faster than the average industry.1 At this pace, more than 53,000 new social work careers are expected to be created by 2032, and common places of employment range from schools and hospitals to state government facilities and beyond.2
While some social work careers take professionals behind the scenes in office settings and others require face-to-face support with clients, the goals of social work are always the same in every industry: to provide effective human services to those who need them.
Where Can Social Workers Work?
Licensed social workers are required to have a variety of skills for serving diverse individuals and communities. These skills, which include problem-solving, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and leadership, can be easily transferred to industries beyond community and social services.
With the University of Kentucky’s online Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you can prepare for diverse and in-demand careers that serve others. Keep reading to explore different areas of social work and discover which social work careers may suit you best.
Corporate Social Work
Training Manager
Median Annual Salary: $120,0003
Training managers play an essential role in improving the potential of a company’s staff. Social work skills come in handy for these professionals, as they must be able to identify and address the needs of staff members and work directly with employees to ensure they have the resources necessary to succeed in their jobs.
Education:
Human Resources Manager
Median Annual Salary: $130,0004
Similar to training managers, human resources managers work directly with a company’s staff members to ensure they have the resources needed to succeed. However, responsibilities for this particular role also include choosing employee benefits, overseeing the hiring process, and identifying the diverse needs of employees. Critical thinking and cultural competence skills, which are both essential to social work, are also essential to this role.
Education:
Clinical Social Work
Addiction Counselor
Annual Median Salary: $49,7105
Addiction counselors provide mental health services to individuals who are living with substance abuse disorders. They help their clients overcome the challenges of addiction and live healthy lives. Many of today’s employers require these professionals to be licensed clinical social workers in their state.
Education:
Family Therapist
Annual Median Salary: $56,5706
Family therapists are also typically required to be licensed clinical social workers in their state. They provide counseling services to diverse members of a family in both group and individual settings through in-person and remote social work sessions. They identify and address conflicts within a family, use resolution strategies to help their clients overcome emotional struggles, and provide the communication tools necessary to lead healthy and happy lives together.
Education:
Military and Veteran Social Work
Military Behavioral Health Counselor Annual
Median Salary: $49,3305
According to research published by BioMed Central, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is prevalent among members of the military who have served in war zones. It’s believed that up to 20% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are currently facing this diagnosis.7 Military behavioral health counselors work directly with active members of the military, veterans, and their families to identify and treat PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
Education:
Veterans Health Association (VHA) Social Worker
Annual Median Salary: $52,6408
This area of social work focuses on serving veterans and their families within VHA facilities. Many veterans require mental health, housing, financial, and social support, and social workers in this field connect their clients to these resources.9
Education:
Schools and Child Welfare Social Work
Behavior Analyst
Annual Median Salary: $49,7105
Behavior analysts help children build practical strategies to navigate the intersection of neurodivergence including Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), in neurotypical environments. They work directly with clients in both school and private office settings and advocate on behalf of their clients regularly. Behavior analysts collaborate with families and educators to develop plans for client care that promote independence and support emotional, social, academic, and physical needs.
Education:
School Counselor
Annual Median Salary: $60,14010
School counselors work directly with children in school settings to discuss any emotional challenges, develop treatment plans for behavioral problems, and help children overcome changes that may be taking place in their personal lives. Interpersonal communication and a strong understanding of child psychology are essential in this role.
Education:
Community Social Work
Child Welfare Specialist
Annual Median Salary: $50,8208
Child welfare specialists or social workers ensure the safety of children by providing necessary intervention and family services. Their responsibilities may include removing children from unsafe homes, providing one-on-one sessions to children who have experienced trauma, and developing treatment plans for mental and behavioral disorders.
Education:
Rehabilitation Counselor
Annual Median Salary: $36,40011
Rehabilitation counselors work directly with adults diagnosed with mental, emotional, or physical disabilities to ensure they have the resources they need to live healthy lives. Their clientele may include adults transitioning from one career to the next, or those who may be navigating life with a new mental health diagnosis. They connect their clients to housing, financial, career, health, and social resources to support them through making positive changes that improve their quality of life.
Education:
Rural Social Work
Rural Social Worker
Annual Median Salary: $55,3508
As detailed in an article on rural social work published by the University of Kentucky, the needs of rural communities typically differ from those in urban areas. Individuals who live in rural communities are at a higher risk for experiencing challenges like:12
- Mental health physician shortages
- Generational poverty
- Drug overdoses and related fatalities
- Child neglect
Social workers in these areas are in extremely high demand and connect the vulnerable to the resources they need to thrive and overcome the challenges commonly experienced in rural communities.
Education Required:
Forensic or Criminal Justice Social Work
Criminal Justice Social Worker
Annual Median Salary: $46,3108
Criminal justice social workers interact directly with convicted individuals to provide the resources they need to live healthy and safe lives after incarceration. They work in correctional facilities, rehabilitation centers, and may offer remote social work sessions to their clients. Their primary goals include crime prevention and supporting individuals facing drug-related convictions overcome substance use disorder.
Education Required:
Victim Social Worker
Annual Median Salary: $46,3108
Victim social workers interact directly with trauma survivors and family members of the incarcerated. They focus their practice on helping individuals overcome trauma experienced during crimes and may support them in the courtroom. Additionally, they may also provide social and mental health support to those facing the impact that a prison sentence may have on an entire family.
Education Required:
Where Will Social Work Take You?
The world of social work is diverse and spans industries across the globe. When considering how to become a social worker in the area of your choice, the right education is essential.
At the University of Kentucky, you’ll be learning from a program at the University of Kentucky has received the Quality Matters (QM) Certification13. You can trust that the University of Kentucky’s online MSW program provides the skills you need to take on the role you want. This CSWE-accredited degree can be completed entirely online in as few as two semesters* with certificate options in:
- Child Welfare Practice
- Clinical Social Work
- Military Behavioral Health
- School Social Work
- Substance Use Disorder
- Trauma-Responsive Practice
- Individual Plan of Study
Ready to take the next step in social work? Explore UK’s suite of online social work programs today.
Apply for UK’s MSW Request InfoSources and Disclaimer
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Community and Social Service Occupations.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Training and Development Managers.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/training-and-development-managers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Human Resources Managers.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/human-resources-managers.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Marriage and Family Therapists.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm.
- BMC Psychiatry. “Factors associated with persistent posttraumatic stress disorder among U.S. military service members and veterans.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-018-1590-5.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Social Workers, Pay.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-5.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “VHA Social Work.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.socialwork.va.gov/about.asp#:~:text=The%20National%20Social%20Work%20Program,17%2C300%20Master’s%20prepared%20social%20workers.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “School and Career Counselors and Advisors.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “Rehabilitation Counselors.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm.
- UK College of Social Work. Resource Center. “Rural Social Work: Addressing Social Problems in Rural Areas.” Retrieved February 8, 2024 from https://socialworkonline.uky.edu/resources/article/rural-social-work/.
- University of Kentucky. “UK Social Work’s online program certified for quality, among 1st in the country.” Retrieved March 21, 2024 from https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/uk-social-works-online-program-certified-quality-among-1st-country.
*This is possible for Advanced Standing MSW students only.