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Pediatric Social Worker

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly50%of the 708,100 social workers in the US are child, family, and school social workers, making them the single largest subgroup in the broader field of social work.

Child/Pediatric social workers are professionals who strive to improve the lives of children.  Among the many social issues a child/pediatric social worker may focus on include :

The annual median salary for social workers who specialize in children and family welfare was$50,820in 2022 according to the BLS. The most experienced, and individuals with a graduate degree in child/pediatric social work made as much as $81,920, while individuals just beginning their careers in social work made an annual salary of approximately $36,380.

School systems offer some of the best salaries in this field. Specialty, psychiatric, and substance abuse hospitals also pay very well.

Learn more aboutbecoming a child/pediatric social worker.

What Types of Positions Can a Child / Pediatric Social Worker Hold?

“The field of child/pediatric social work is a competitive fieldand is growing with opportunities for social work graduates.  There will always be a need for social workers.  Pediatric social workers can work in all different types of settings: hospitals, schools, state jobs, and private practice.  There is a real need for good, competent social workers who specialize in children and adolescents.”-Jennifer D. Cunningham, LMFT out of Madison, CT

Individuals, who wish to pursue a career as a child/pediatric social worker must enjoy working with children and adolescents. Depending on the level of practice, social workers must earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work.  Although there are a variety of settings a child/pediatric social worker might work, there are four main areas of practice, which include:

They may focus on a number of psychological, social and emotional disorders, such as anxiety, anger, and depression. A clinical social worker must earn at least a master’s degree in social work, but many have earned doctorates or hold certificates from psychoanalytic institutes.  If a clinical social worker chooses to work in private practice, they must hold state licensure.

They conduct home visits to determine the safety of children, and if they must be removed and placed in temporary custody with foster families, or if a child can be returned back to his or her family.

A child welfare social worker must have a bachelor’s degree in social work, but many have earned master’s degrees in social work. Depending on work setting, they may need certification and/or licensure.

Ways a Child/Pediatric Social Worker can Increase Desirability as a Job Candidate and Increase His or Her Salary

“In social work, you can have a bachelors degree and/or a master’s degree.  I would recommend shadowing social workers in the field to get a feel of what the work is about.  There are a lot of different areas of social work a student can go into, so having some idea of what a person wants to specialize in, and having some experience in that area, is a way to set oneself a part from the rest of the applicants.”-Jennifer D. Cunningham, LMFT

Although employment for child/pediatric social workers is on the rise, it is imperative that students enroll in an accredited program to ensure their place ahead of the competition.  Accreditation ensures the very highest level of professional development, and enhances the quality of social work education.

Quick fact: The Pew Research Center states that workers with bachelor’s degrees oftenearn significantly morethan their colleagues without one.

Individual’s who have earned a bachelor’s degree can begin their career as a caseworker or mental health assistant.  Coursework in sociology, economics, psychology, social work and political science will be useful on the job.  A bachelor’s degree in general social work may be acceptable for most positions, but to increase desirability as a job candidate, prospective child/pediatric social workers may want to enter programs that offer concentrations in child welfare.

Employment in health care, clinical work, or in a school setting generally requires a master’s degree in social work.  Many states also require a minimum number of supervised hours in the field and an internship, and all states require licensure to practice as a child/pediatric social worker.

“I absolutely encourage bachelor level students to go on to get their master’s.  Social work is a field that requires education and experience.  The more educated and experienced an applicant is, the more appealing one is to a possible employer.” -Jennifer D. Cunningham, LMFT

Other ways to ensure desirability as a job candidate include:

Related Social Work Education Guides

Attributes Employers Often Look For When Hiring a Child/Pediatric Social Worker

According to Jennifer D. Cunningham, LMFT,“New graduates should go into work with very clear boundaries and expectations.  It is very easy to get overwhelmed and burnt out in this field, so it is important to set personal limits and realistic goals for the work.  In addition, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of utilizing supervision for support and guidance.”

Social work, in general is a competitive field. Although the field is growing at a faster-than-average rate, there are a number of attributes employers take into account when hiring a child/pediatric social worker, including:

Networking Opportunities and Organizations for Child/Pediatric Social Workers

There are any number of opportunities, organizations, and associations for Child/Pediatric social workers to take advantage of, including:

Additional Resources and Further Reading

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures forchild, family, and school social workersare based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.

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