Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace healthcare social workers?AI replacement risk 34% and how the work is changing

United States Social Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$67,880
25th–75th pct. $56,710–$82,240
Top pay (est.)
$130,500
Top 10% $100,360
Pay in 5 years
$80,000est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$94,300est.
$81,100–$109,500
Outlook score
70/100
★★★★☆ Good
AI replacement risk
34%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+8.5%
17K openings / yr

Will AI replace Healthcare Social Workers? AI replacement risk

34%
Low
Ranked #296 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Healthcare Social Workers

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness
5.1
Active Listening
4.8
Service Orientation
4.4
Reading Comprehension
4.2
Speaking
4.2
Writing
4.1
Critical Thinking
4.0
Coordination
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Therapy and Counseling
6.6
Psychology
6.3
Customer and Personal Service
5.8
Sociology and Anthropology
5.0
English Language
4.8
Education and Training
4.4
Philosophy and Theology
4.4
Administration and Management
3.4

What the work involves

Assisting and Caring for OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesDocumenting/Recording InformationCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionFluency of IdeasWritten Expression

Education of workers

Master's degree
70%
Bachelor's degree
15%
Post-master's certificate
11%
Professional degree
4%

Training before entry

Up to 1 month
35%
1–3 months
31%
3–6 months
15%
1–2 years
8%
6–12 months
8%
None / short demo
4%

Related work experience

1–2 years
54%
2–4 years
23%
6–8 years
8%
None
4%
4–6 years
4%
6–12 months
4%
3–6 months
4%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

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

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.