The demand for more social workers has been on the rise in the US. Social work careers have a growth rate of 12%, which is much faster than the average percentage, 8%.
The Social work jobs each play an essential role in society. Social workers are responsible for the growth and development of healthy and strong communities.
They provide services such as counseling, guidance, education, healthcare, financial relief, and offer support to families both individuals.
With jobs in the social work career field on the rise, there have to be enough people who are able to fill in the positions that are high in demand.
For those who might be interested in pursuing a career in social work, here are five of the most in-demand social work jobs to consider.
5 Most In-Demand Social Work Jobs
There are several different types of jobs that fall under the social employee job category. Each social work job has its annual median salary, median hourly wage, and projected growth rate. The level of education and training needed for each social employee’s job differs.
Here are five of the most in-demand social work jobs to consider for those interested in pursuing a career in a social employee.
Professor or Post-secondary Instructor
A professor or post-secondary instructor is responsible for teaching students different social work courses and programs in college or university. They are essential for successfully educating future generations of people wanting to pursue a career in social work.Â
Professors and post-secondary instructors also sometimes partake in original research and studies. The results then contribute to updating information used for the social work courses and programs.
A professor or post-secondary instructor has an annual median salary of about $71,570 or makes an hourly wage of approximately $34.41.
This social work job has a 9% projected growth rate. The level of education needed to become a professor or post-secondary instructor is a master’s degree. In some cases, a doctorate is required for this social work job.
Social or Community Service Manager
Social or community service managers often get employed at health clinics or medical facilities. They also often work for agencies and organizations that get run by the government.
The people who work this type of social work job usually manage or supervise an organization. If not the entire organization, they are responsible for managing a specific department within an organization that provides people with social services and support.
Some of a social or community service managers duties include:
- Creating and maintaining budgets.
- Recruiting and hiring new staff members.
- Make sure new staff members get fully trained correctly for their jobs.
A social or community service manager has an annual median salary of about $69,600 or makes an hourly wage of approximately $33.46.
This social employee job has a 15% projected growth rate. The level of education needed to become a social or community service manager is a bachelor’s degree.
Education Social Worker or School Counselor
An education social worker or school counselor is in charge of creating a safe learning environment. Their job is to ensure safety in a school or during a school program for both students and staff. They do so by teaming up and working with the educators and administrators of the school.Â
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This job position usually occurs in an elementary, middle, or secondary school and involves mainly working with minors.
Here are some of an education social employee or school counselor’s work duties:
- Recognize and work on the reversal of behavioral problems seen in the classroom.
- Help students improve their grades and improve overall academic levels.
- Provide support to those dealing with a number of different social issues both in and out of school.
An education social employee or school counselor has an annual median salary of about $58,120 or makes an hourly wage of approximately $27.94.
This social work job has an 11% projected growth rate. The level of education needed to become an education social employee or a school counselor is a master’s degree.
Healthcare or Medical Social Worker
Healthcare or medical social workers provide people who have been injured or are ill with extra support. They help figure out solutions for lowering levels of pain felt by patients and speeding up their recovery process.
They do so by giving out referrals for particular health services and other essential resources the patient may need to get better.Â
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Healthcare or medical social workers also provide supportive social services to families and individuals who are suffering from both short and long-term health issues.
Healthcare or medical social worker has an annual median salary of about $57,630 or make an hourly wage of approximately $27.71.
This social work job has a 13% projected growth rate. The level of education needed to become healthcare or medical social worker is a master’s degree.
Mental Health and Addiction Counselor
Mental health and addiction counselors are professionals in the social work career field. They provide counseling and support to families and individuals suffering from problems that involve certain behaviors, not knowing how to deal with emotions and other psychological issues.
These types of social workers also specialize in dealing with those who suffer from addictions.
Mental health and addiction counselors deal with patients either one-on-one or in support groups. They help people learn proper coping skills and raise awareness by educating individuals and their families about different mental illnesses and substance abuse.
Mental health and addictions counselors also strive to educate the public and the people in their communities.
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They bring attention to mental health issues and substance abuse and help those in the community better understand the risks and how to use harm reduction and prevention strategies.
A mental health and addictions counselor has an annual median salary of about $48,720 or makes an hourly wage of approximately $23.42.
This social work job has a 15% projected growth rate. The level of education needed to become a mental health and addiction counselor is a bachelor’s degree.
