Child, family, and school social workers
SOC Code: 21-1021Also known as:
Adolescent Counselor, Adoption Agent, Adoption Coordinator, Adoption Counselor, Adoption Social Worker
Median Annual Salary
$58,570
+3.4% growth (2024-2034)
35K
Openings/Year
400K
Current Jobs
What Child, family, and school social workers Do
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.
💰 Salary
$58,570
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.4%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
35K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
399,900
Projected Employment (2034)
413,300
Related Careers
Marriage and family therapists
$63,780 •
+12.6% growth
Rehabilitation counselors
$46,110 •
+1.4% growth
Healthcare social workers
$68,090 •
+7.7% growth
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
$60,060 •
+9.7% growth
Social and human service assistants
$45,120 •
+6.4% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Social Perceptiveness
Reading Comprehension
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
- Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
- Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
- Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
- Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
- Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required.
- Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
- Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
- Refer clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance, and provide concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
- Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Child, family, and school social workers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a child, family, and school social workers:
Social Work
57,279 degrees awarded •
781 colleges offer this program
Developmental and Child Psychology
1,820 degrees awarded •
59 colleges offer this program
Social Work, Other
622 degrees awarded •
29 colleges offer this program
Youth Services/Administration
267 degrees awarded •
24 colleges offer this program
Juvenile Corrections
68 degrees awarded •
12 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Child, family, and school social workers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become child, family, and school social workers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do child, family, and school social workers make?
The median annual salary for child, family, and school social workers is $58,570.
What education do child, family, and school social workers need?
Most child, family, and school social workers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Social Work, Developmental and Child Psychology, Social Work, Other.
Is becoming child, family, and school social workers a good career choice?
Child, family, and school social workers is projected to see +3.4% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 35,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for child, family, and school social workers?
Top colleges for aspiring child, family, and school social workers include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, New York University, University of Southern California, Columbia University in the City of New York, Boston University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to child, family, and school social workers?
Child, family, and school social workers may also be known as: Adolescent Counselor, Adoption Agent, Adoption Coordinator, Adoption Counselor, Adoption Social Worker, Adoption Specialist, Adoption Worker, Case Manager, Case Worker, Casework Supervisor, Caseworker, Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW), Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW), Child Abuse Worker, Child Advocate, Child and Family Services Worker, Child and Family Specialist, Child Care Counselor, Child Development Consultant, Child Protection Specialist.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.