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Online Master of Social Work: Career Outlook

Make a Difference in Your Community and Your Career

Help individuals, families, and larger groups overcome challenges to improve their lives, relationships, and organizations when you pursue a career in social work. As a social worker, you'll play an integral role in your community, empowering those in need to identify and address the issues they face.

Whether you currently work in the field or have the desire to start, Our Lady of the Lake University's online Master of Social Work can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. You'll use your newly honed skills to help society and fight for justice in a profession that expects job growth to be 2.5 times the national rate at 16 percent.1

By graduation, you'll be prepared to change the lives of children and families in need — especially those in the Hispanic community, one of the fastest-growing populations in the U.S.

Top-Paying Job Titles With an MSW Degree

This rewarding field is filled with opportunities for those seeking to create positive change in the lives of others:

  • 16 percent growth in job opportunities projected in the field of social work by 20261
  • 23 percent increase in job opportunities for Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists projected by 20262
  • $103,570 median annual salary in 2017 for Social and Community Managers in the insurance industry3

Professionals with a master's in social work are qualified for the highest-paying social work jobs and can anticipate earning the upper end of the pay scale.

Position

Top-Paying Field

Annual Mean Wage

Employment Growth Rate

Health Care Social Workers

Insurance and Employee Benefit Funds

$69,8604

20%1

Mental Health/Substance Abuse Social Workers

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

$61,3605

19%1

Marriage and Family Therapists

State Government, Excluding Schools and Hospitals

$70,2606

23%7

Mental Health Counselors

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services

$65,6808

23%2

Social and Community Service Managers

Insurance Carriers

$103,5703

18%9

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Elementary and Secondary Schools

$62,69010

14%1

More MSW Job Titles to Consider

As the entire healthcare field expands, so do the available titles — and skills required — for social work professionals. You'll find work across industries; in private, corporate, and nonprofit organizations; and in rural and urban areas. In addition to the titles above, you'll also qualify to work as a:

  • Case Manager
  • Community Coordinator
  • Human Services Worker
  • Life Skills Counselor
  • Job Coach
  • Outpatient Health Specialist
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Public Health Manager

Career Resource Articles

The articles below highlight different roles social workers play in greater detail. You can click to read, bookmark them now, or browse additional social work articles in our resource center.

Join a Professional Organization to Support Your Career

Graduates who specialize in social work and relocate to a different area to pursue gainful employment can look to the various nationally recognized professional social work organizations to help them in their professional endeavors.

Find Out More

To learn more about how the award-winning online Master of Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake University supports your career growth and expands your options in treatment, call 855-275-1082 or request more information.

Sources

1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2017-18 Edition, Social Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm (visited August 13, 2018).
2https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm
3https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119151.htm
4https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211022.htm
5https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211023.htm
6https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211013.htm
7https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/marriage-and-family-therapists.htm
8https://www.bls.gov/oes/2016/may/oes211014.htm#ind
9https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/social-and-community-service-managers.htm#tab-1
10https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211021.htm