Family Social Worker

A bachelor's degree in social work could provide you with the education to qualify for an entry-level position in a social agency as an administrative assistant or even a case worker. A master's degree is typically favored by employers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. All states in the nation require some type of formal licensing, registration or certification prior to employment. A master's degree in social work, or MWS, is often required in school settings, for clinical positions, and in public or private social service agencies. Most master's degree programs take two years to complete and coursework often focuses on subjects such as ethics, public administration, and social research.

Family social worker salary and career outlook

A family social worker salary can vary widely based on the employee's academic training, job experience and continuing education. Wages also vary by type of employer or agency, geographic location and program funding. In 2009, the median annual salary earned by a family social worker was $39,960. The top 10 percent of America's 277,670 child, family, and school social workers earned $67,360. Leading employers, in order of total number of workers, were state government agencies, individual and family service organizations, local government agencies, and public schools. The BLS projects a 12 percent increase in openings for family social workers between 2008 and 2018. Jobs for medical and public health social workers are expected to increase by 22 percent during the same time period.