Social workers have the opportunity to make genuine impacts in their communities and help change people’s lives for the better. Because the role carries such significant responsibility, becoming a social worker requires meeting specific qualifications — including earning a relevant degree.
Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about how to become a social worker, including the education and skills needed to thrive in this kind of role, anticipated compensation, current job outlook and more.
What Does a Social Worker Do?
At its core, social work is about supporting people as they navigate life’s challenges and connecting them with resources to improve their well-being.
“Social workers support individuals, families and communities in overcoming challenges. We provide clinical counseling, we help clients access resources and we advocate for policy changes,” Jennifer Lewis, director of the Master of Social Work at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, told USC Online. “So we have a very broad reach in terms of our work, which means that there is plenty of work to do.”
Social workers face a variety of responsibilities each day. A core part of the job involves assessing clients’ needs and identifying appropriate treatment plans — whether that’s family counseling, financial assistance, job training or other resource programs. Social workers also ensure clients can access these services and have the support needed to succeed.
Social workers operate in a variety of different settings. They can be employed by schools, hospitals, mental health clinics, nonprofits, government agencies and more.
Do You Need a Specific Degree to Become a Social Worker?
In most cases, a Master of Social Work (MSW) is required to obtain a license to practice, although some states do provide licensure to people with bachelor’s of social work, explained Lewis. While a Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker (LBSW) license affords early-career social workers the freedom to practice in a limited capacity, social workers with this license cannot provide clinical services and may be supervised upon entering the field. On the other hand, an MSW often provides access to a broader range of job opportunities and career advancement.
“The good news is that, for those individuals who receive a bachelor’s degree in social work, they are actually not required to duplicate course content for their master’s degree,” Lewis said. “So they receive a status of what we call ‘advanced standing,’ so they can skip the first year of the Master of Social Work and go right into the specialized second year.”
What Skills Do Master’s Level Social Workers Need?
To succeed as a social worker, there are certain hard skills a person has to have, such as therapy techniques, an understanding of social justice, knowledge of government programs, communication skills, research methods and data analysis, among others. But soft skills are equally as important for social workers.
“Our secret sauce, if you will, is about learning how to engage, whether it’s with an individual, with an organization or with a community,” Lewis said. “That requires empathy and active listening, a lot of cultural humility, critical thinking, communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as boundary setting, problem-solving and advocacy.”
Why Should Someone Obtain an MSW from USC?
A master’s program can help someone develop both the necessary hard and soft skills to succeed as a social worker. Consider the Master’s of Social Work program from USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Students can choose to attend the program in-person or online, and there are full-time, part-time and hybrid options available. Not only does this program prepare people to be effective social workers, but it also prepares them to be critical thinkers and strong leaders in their community.
“Our program differs from others in that we provide a specialization in integrative social work,” Lewis said. “It’s an advanced generalist degree … helping people to become experts in the clinical, organizational and societal practices. Even those who wanted just to do clinical work and weren’t really interested in, say, organizational societal change have opportunities to do that work.”
Lewis noted that USC’s approach is backed by results, with many graduates going on to thrive in their next roles.
“What we have found is that most of our students get promoted really quickly, partially due to the strong Trojan network and partially due to their advanced knowledge that we impart,” she said.
What Is the Current Job Outlook for Social Workers?
In times of economic uncertainty, it can be frightening to make the investment in a graduate degree. However, the job outlook for social workers is strong — with overall employment projected to grow seven percent from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — meaning it’s a great time to pursue this career path.
“There’s a significant workforce shortage nationwide, so there is no question that there are jobs out there. They are, without a doubt, desperate for social workers. We have agencies calling us constantly to speak to and hire our students,” Lewis said. “I think working in social service organizations is incredibly rewarding and challenging, but there’s more need than there are practitioners, unfortunately, so getting a job isn’t as much of a challenge.”
What Is the Average Salary for a Social Worker?
As with any role, salary expectations will vary widely, depending on the job title, location, your years of experience and whether you have a master’s degree — all things to keep in mind while mapping out your career. The median yearly salary for social workers in the U.S. in 2024 was $61,330, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Again, that is only the median salary. There is a wide range when it comes to what you may earn as a social worker.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a social worker takes time and dedication. Most roles require a master’s degree and the work can be demanding. But it’s also a deeply rewarding career that offers the chance to make a real difference in your community, with strong job prospects across the field.
“It’s a dynamic and exciting role to work,” Lewis concluded. “It’s exciting. It’s hard. But it’s also incredibly fulfilling.”
Learn more about the online Master of Social Work (MSW) today.