Healthcare social workers
SOC Code: 21-1022Also known as:
AIDS Social Worker, Bereavement Counselor, Case Manager, Case Worker, Caseworker
Median Annual Salary
$68,090
+7.7% growth (2024-2034)
18K
Openings/Year
193K
Current Jobs
What Healthcare social workers Do
Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.
💰 Salary
$68,090
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+7.7%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
18K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Internship/residency
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
193,200
Projected Employment (2034)
208,100
Related Careers
Marriage and family therapists
$63,780 •
+12.6% growth
Rehabilitation counselors
$46,110 •
+1.4% growth
Child, family, and school social workers
$58,570 •
+3.4% growth
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
$60,060 •
+9.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking
Service Orientation
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
- Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
- Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
- Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
- Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
- Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
- Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.
- Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Healthcare social workers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a healthcare social workers:
Social Work
57,279 degrees awarded •
781 colleges offer this program
Clinical/Medical Social Work
3,296 degrees awarded •
48 colleges offer this program
Social Work, Other
622 degrees awarded •
29 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Healthcare social workers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become healthcare social workers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do healthcare social workers make?
The median annual salary for healthcare social workers is $68,090.
What education do healthcare social workers need?
Most healthcare social workers positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Social Work, Clinical/Medical Social Work, Social Work, Other.
Is becoming healthcare social workers a good career choice?
Healthcare social workers is projected to see +7.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 18,400 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for healthcare social workers?
Top colleges for aspiring healthcare social workers include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Southern California, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York University, 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 healthcare social workers?
Healthcare social workers may also be known as: AIDS Social Worker, Bereavement Counselor, Case Manager, Case Worker, Caseworker, Certified Health Care Social Worker, Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC), Client Advocate, Clinical Social Worker, Disability Advocate, Disability Coordinator, Disability Specialist, Discharge Planner, Elder Counselor, Family Advocate, Family Support Specialist, Family Support Worker, Geriatric Social Worker, Group Social Worker, Health Care Social Worker.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.