How to become child, family, and school social workerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Social Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$59,550

25th–75th pct. $48,270–$76,070

Top pay (est.)

$124,200

Top 10% $95,530

Pay in 5 years

$69,300est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$80,600est.

$69,300–$93,600

Outlook score

58/100

★★★☆☆ Average

AI replacement risk

43%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

+4.4%

34K openings / yr

How to become child, family, and school social workers

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Key skills

Active Listening

4.8

Social Perceptiveness

4.6

Critical Thinking

4.2

Service Orientation

4.1

Speaking

4.1

Reading Comprehension

4.1

Writing

4.1

Negotiation

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

5.2

Therapy and Counseling

5.1

Psychology

5.0

Administrative

4.8

Education and Training

4.3

English Language

4.1

Sociology and Anthropology

3.9

Computers and Electronics

3.5

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicGetting InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Important abilities

Problem SensitivityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten Expression

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

69%

Master's degree

26%

Associate's degree

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

25%

2–4 years

19%

6–12 months

19%

3–6 months

17%

None / short demo

1–2 years

1–3 months

Related work experience

2–4 years

32%

6–12 months

25%

1–2 years

24%

None

11%

4–6 years

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as child, family, and school social workers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Childcare Workers Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions.	$34,980	48/100	16%
2	Social and Human Service Assistants Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.	$45,930	62/100	40%
3	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.	$64,330	50/100	52%
4	Healthcare Social Workers Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses.	$67,880	70/100	34%
5	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs.	$60,280	69/100	43%
6	Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other All community and social service specialists not listed separately.	$56,730	71/100	15%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.