How to become healthcare social workerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

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

How to become healthcare social workers

Typical education

Master's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Internship/residency

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 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

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

35%

1–3 months

31%

3–6 months

15%

1–2 years

6–12 months

None / short demo

Related work experience

1–2 years

54%

2–4 years

23%

6–8 years

None

4–6 years

6–12 months

3–6 months

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

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

Career path and how to earn more as healthcare 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	Child, Family, and School Social Workers Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children.	$59,550	58/100	43%
4	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.	$64,330	50/100	52%
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.