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.
Healthcare Social Workers
SOC: 21-1022 O*NET: 21-1022.00
Median Salary
$68,090
per year
Job Growth
🚀 7.7%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
18.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Healthcare Social Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$55,360
25th percentile
Median
$68,090
50th percentile
Experienced
$83,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$100,870
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,030
25th
$55,360
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$68,090
Mean: $72,030
75th
$83,410
90th
$100,870
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $55,840 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $55,360 and $83,410
- •Salary spread is 41.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 185,940 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:193,200
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services27.6%
Hospitals23.7%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals21.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+7.7%
Annual Openings:18,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)193,200
Current
2034 (Projected)208,100
+7.7%
+14,800
Employment Change
+7.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Healthcare Social Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
New York
22,880 jobs$67,2501.99x
California
19,680 jobs$92,9700.90x
Texas
11,470 jobs$69,9600.69x
Florida
8,950 jobs$67,0900.76x
Ohio
8,700 jobs$64,7501.31x
Massachusetts
7,540 jobs$72,2801.72x
Georgia
6,780 jobs$62,0901.16x
Pennsylvania
6,560 jobs$63,0100.90x
Tennessee
5,780 jobs$61,9101.46x
Maryland
5,430 jobs$67,9701.64x
Illinois
5,240 jobs$68,7100.72x
Michigan
5,110 jobs$66,4400.96x
Washington
4,970 jobs$75,6701.16x
North Carolina
4,650 jobs$65,1400.79x
Missouri
4,630 jobs$53,0601.32x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Psychology
100%
#3
Oral Expression
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Therapy and Counseling
92%
#6
Problem Sensitivity
92%
#7
Service Orientation
86%
#8
Sociology and Anthropology
82%
#9
Oral Comprehension
82%
#10
Coordination
80%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Psychology
advanced5.0
100%
Oral Expression
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Therapy and Counseling
advanced4.6
92%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced4.6
92%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.3
86%
Sociology and Anthropology
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Psychology
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Oral Expression
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Therapy and Counseling
advancedImportance92%
knowledge
4.6/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Sociology and Anthropology
intermediateImportance82%
knowledge
4.1/5.0
Oral Comprehension
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance74%
knowledge
3.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs82%
5 shared skills
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts82%
5 shared skills
Graphic Designers82%
5 shared skills
Human Resources Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Psychology
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Customer and Personal Service
- →Education and Training
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Psychology
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Speaking
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Psychology
- ★Therapy and Counseling
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Healthcare Social Workers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
MEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Teams
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechZoom
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Excel
Zoom
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (1)General Responsibilities (7)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (6)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform100%
2
Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Healthcare Social Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Healthcare Social Workers professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Healthcare Social Workers
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.96
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.96
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.78
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.74
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.74
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.63
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
5.0
Integrity
5.0
Self-Control
4.8
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.6
Cooperation
4.6
Social Orientation
4.6
Persistence
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Healthcare Social Workers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Healthcare Social Workers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
1.3k program completions/year
City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
993 program completions/year
College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA
636 program completions/year
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, CA
627 program completions/year
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA
555 program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
549 program completions/year
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA
499 program completions/year
East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, CA
479 program completions/year
Fresno City College
Fresno, CA
470 program completions/year
Merced College
Merced, CA
460 program completions/year
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, CA
432 program completions/year
Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM
426 program completions/year
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