Employment Outlook

Employment for social workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Currently, 5 out of 10 jobs are in health care and social assistance industries; 3 out of 10 jobs are within government agencies.

Most social workers deal directly with the people they serve. Others work as teachers, supervisors, planners, and administrators. Specific career options include:

• Bilingual youth social worker
• Child protection social worker
• Group social worker
• Community organizer
• Corrections social worker
• Domestic violence social worker
• Family counselor
• Lobbyist
• Medical social worker
• Policy analyst
• Rape crisis social worker
• Social work case manager
• Substance abuse social worker
• Trauma specialist