5 Social Work Careers to Pursue

Social workers are some of the most versatile mental health care providers in the country. They provide therapy, connect people to other professionals, and advocate for systemic reforms that make mental health care more accessible.

Many kinds of social workers handle a wide range of services. If you’re a social worker who wants to widen your expertise and is passionate about increasing access to services, explore some common social work career areas and learn more about social work continuing education.

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Social Worker

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says 21.5 million American adults battle mental health issues and substance abuse at the same time. In these complex cases, social workers connect patients with other healthcare professionals, facilitate treatment, and provide services themselves.

Substance abuse and mental health social workers can provide therapy to groups, families, and individuals, but they also:

• Perform crisis intervention
• Assess patients at intake
• Help patients and other professionals create actionable, realistic discharge plans
• Guide patients through changes in their medical and therapeutic treatment
• Empower patients to address related issues, such as housing and employment
• Advocate for patients’ needs and rights
• Design, assess, and oversee services

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these counselors earned a median annual salary of $55,960 as of May 2023. Inpatient and outpatient treatment centers need social workers, but small independent practices often employ them as well. 

Depending on the state, mental health and substance abuse social workers may need a government-issued license.

To enhance your skills in this field, you can seek extra credentials in counseling and take continuing education courses on substance abuse, addictions and chemical dependency, and mental health interventions at CE4Less.

2. Child and Family Welfare Social Worker 

The federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) reports that local child welfare agencies receive about 4 million referrals every year. Child and family welfare social workers assess these claims and intervene when necessary.

The common duties of a child and family welfare social worker include the following:

• Evaluating families and performing follow-up visits
• Helping parents find resources such as affordable housing, childcare, and behavioral counseling
• Performing family and individual counseling
• Removing children from dangerous living situations
• Finding placements for children through adoption agencies, through the foster care system, or with relatives when possible
• Training and educating caregivers
• Collaborating with teachers, doctors, and therapists

The BLS reports that child and family social workers earned a median annual salary of $53,940 as of May 2023. Many child welfare workers work for state, county, or city government agencies. Others work for private adoption agencies, hospitals, and mental health care practices.

Most states require child welfare social workers to have a government-issued license, but exact requirements vary.

If you want to learn more about providing mental health services for children and families, you can explore course subjects like children and adolescents, marriage and family services, and child abuse offered by CE4Less

3. Healthcare Social Worker

In a recent KFF survey, one in four respondents said they’ve gone without or postponed medical attention because of the cost. Even when people can afford care, the complexity of the healthcare system can be overwhelming. Healthcare social workers help patients and their families navigate these issues and connect them to valuable resources.

Healthcare social workers can support patients by:

• Educating them about their care and alternative options
• Advocating for their medical rights
• Providing counseling
• Connecting them to support groups, financial programs, and other relevant services
• Coordinating between multiple healthcare providers when they need complex care
• Helping them transition into, out of, and between different levels of care
• Advocating for and informing the creation of equitable care policies
• Running programs that meet the needs of underserved populations

The BLS reports that these professionals earned a median annual salary of $62,940 as of May 2023. Healthcare social workers can be found in just about every kind of healthcare setting, from regional hospitals to community-based clinics. 

Becoming a healthcare social worker typically involves earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work and obtaining a state-issued license.

If you are interested in advocating for clients in healthcare settings, you can learn more through courses on medical errors, HIPAA compliance, and the social determinants of health at CE4Less. 

4. School Social Worker

Preparing students for success isn’t all about academics. Their emotional, behavioral, and social health is just as vital. School social workers ensure that every student has the means to grow in every way.

Though responsibilities may vary by school, school social workers:

• Assist teachers and parents with behavioral concerns
• Provide individual and group counseling
• Intervene in crisis situations
• Help teachers design and implement individual education plans
• Connect families to community resources, such as food banks and charities
• Aid in campaigns related to bullying, mental health, drug use, and other relevant issues
• Facilitate staff development opportunities

The BLS reports that the median annual salary for school social workers was $53,940 as of May 2023. School social workers can work for public or private K-12 schools. 

In addition to a graduate degree in social work and a state-issued social work license, many states require that social workers obtain a license to work with students.

To enhance your competencies in this area, explore courses focused on children and adolescents at CE4Less, such as Bullying in Children and Adolescents.

5. Licensed Clinical Social Worker

According to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), almost 1,000 areas across the country suffer from a shortage of mental health care providers. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) play a key role in quelling this shortage.

As highly trained mental health professionals, LCSWs can:

• Diagnose mental health conditions
• Provide advanced mental health interventions, such as psychotherapy and cognitive therapy
• Refer clients to other mental health professionals as needed
• Supervise other mental health professionals and social workers
• Design and oversee clinical programs

Payscale reports that LCSWs earn an average base salary of $66,030 as of April 2024. In most states, LCSWs are the only social workers who can diagnose and provide clinical treatment for mental illness without supervision. This means they’re important members of any social service agency’s team. Due to their advanced knowledge, LCSWs may be allowed to operate private practices. 

Becoming an LCSW often requires a clinical social work license. Requirements may vary by state. 

If you are looking to expand your knowledge of clinical care and social work, check out the courses on clinical practice, anxiety and depression, and neurological disorders at CE4Less.

Become the Advocate Your Community Deserves

A social worker’s education doesn’t end after they earn a degree or license. To serve your clients effectively, you should stay current on emerging issues and evidence-based interventions. CE4Less is committed to helping you do just that.

Explore the online continuing education courses for social workers at CE4Less to learn about mental health disorders, therapeutic techniques, culturally informed practice, and more. If you’re not sure where to begin, our state-by-state guides on continuing education requirements can set you in the right direction. 

No matter what kind of social work career you have or want to advance into, CE4Less can help you maintain your license and become an effective advocate. Explore our courses and subscription options to find the right path for your career.

Recommended Readings

Why Cultural Competence Matters in Mental Health Care

Sources:

Administration for Children and Families, Child Maltreatment 2021

Health Resources and Services Administration, Health Workforce Shortage Areas

KFF, “Americans’ Challenges with Health Care Costs”

Payscale, Average Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Salary

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health ConditionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social Workers

Back to Blog Home

Latest Articles

• Why Thousands of Clinicians Are Exploring Psychedelic Therapy for Stuck Clients
• When Seasonal Depression Doesn’t Lift With Spring
• Are Continuing Education Expenses Tax Deductible for Mental Health Professionals?
• How to Scale your Mental Health Practice this Year
• Self-Care Tips From Mental Health Professionals: Insights From Our Instagram Community

Featured Course

NAMI Ask the Expert: Cognition Series Part 1- Cognitive Remediation and Employment: The Thinking Skills for Work Program OD017

Free Course

Ethics And Boundary Issues E097J

1-Year Unlimited

Access to all of our text-based courses

$89.99 / yearAdd to Cart