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Sociology Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Sociology Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people interested in social systems and human behavior who want flexibility across social services and policy. Use the tools below to see which sociology roles fit your background and goals.

Like other social-science majors, sociology's value lies in research and analytical skills applied broadly across social services, HR, and policy. Use the tools below to explore Sociology-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Case Worker, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Social Services Program Manager or HR Specialist. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as None formally required; often paired with an MSW or MPA, that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Sociology careers/jobs, (2) Find Sociology job listings, (3) Prepare for Sociology careers, and (4) Provide Sociology career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Sociology careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Sociology Careers - 2023 to 2033 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Sociology careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Sociology, so relevant Sociology jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Sociology Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Sociology Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Sociology careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 61 Sociology Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

8 Sociology careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2023 to 2033 est.). Sociology-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033 (% change) Sociology-Related Jobs

Social and Human Service Assistants 16.6% Clinical Social Work Aide
Occupation: Social and Human Service Assistants U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 16.6% Sociology-Related Jobs: Clinical Social Work Aide
Social and Community Service Managers 15.2% Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Occupation: Social and Community Service Managers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 15.2% Sociology-Related Jobs: Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 14.9% Behavioral Health Social Worker; Clinical Social Worker; Community Mental Health Social Worker; Drug Abuse Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; Mental Health Social Worker; Psychiatric Social Worker; Psychotherapist Social Worker
Occupation: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 14.9% Sociology-Related Jobs: Behavioral Health Social Worker; Clinical Social Worker; Community Mental Health Social Worker; Drug Abuse Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; Mental Health Social Worker; Psychiatric Social Worker; Psychotherapist Social Worker
Healthcare Social Workers 13.2% AIDS Social Worker; Certified Health Care Social Worker; Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC); Clinical Social Worker; Geriatric Social Worker; Group Social Worker; Health Care Social Worker; Healthcare Social Worker; Home Health Care Social Worker; Hospice Home Care Social Worker; Hospice Medical Social Worker; Hospice Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Long Term Care Social Worker; Medical Social Consultant; Medical Social Worker; Neonatal Social Worker; Nephrology Social Worker; Nursing Home Social Worker; Older Adult Social Work Specialist; Oncology Social Worker; Pediatric Social Worker; Perinatal Social Worker; Public Health Social Worker; Renal Social Worker
Occupation: Healthcare Social Workers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 13.2% Sociology-Related Jobs: AIDS Social Worker; Certified Health Care Social Worker; Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC); Clinical Social Worker; Geriatric Social Worker; Group Social Worker; Health Care Social Worker; Healthcare Social Worker; Home Health Care Social Worker; Hospice Home Care Social Worker; Hospice Medical Social Worker; Hospice Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Long Term Care Social Worker; Medical Social Consultant; Medical Social Worker; Neonatal Social Worker; Nephrology Social Worker; Nursing Home Social Worker; Older Adult Social Work Specialist; Oncology Social Worker; Pediatric Social Worker; Perinatal Social Worker; Public Health Social Worker; Renal Social Worker
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 12.6% Adoption Social Worker; Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker); Child Welfare Social Worker; Delinquency Prevention Social Worker; Foster Care Social Worker; Licensed Social Worker; LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Protective Services Social Worker; School Social Worker
Occupation: Child, Family, and School Social Workers U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 12.6% Sociology-Related Jobs: Adoption Social Worker; Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker); Child Welfare Social Worker; Delinquency Prevention Social Worker; Foster Care Social Worker; Licensed Social Worker; LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Protective Services Social Worker; School Social Worker
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary 8.9% Family Welfare Social Work Professor; Geriatric Social Work Professor; Health Social Work Professor
Occupation: Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 8.9% Sociology-Related Jobs: Family Welfare Social Work Professor; Geriatric Social Work Professor; Health Social Work Professor
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 7.6% Adjunct Sociology Professor; Comparative Sociology Professor
Occupation: Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 7.6% Sociology-Related Jobs: Adjunct Sociology Professor; Comparative Sociology Professor
Sociologists 4.8% Clinical Sociologist; Family Sociologist; Medical Sociologist; Rural Sociologist; Urban Sociologist
Occupation: Sociologists U.S. Job Openings 2023-2033: 4.8% Sociology-Related Jobs: Clinical Sociologist; Family Sociologist; Medical Sociologist; Rural Sociologist; Urban Sociologist

9 Sociology careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Sociology-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Sociology-Related Jobs

Chief Sustainability Officers $ 206,680 CSR and Sustainability VP (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Vice President); ESG Manager (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Manager)
Occupation: Chief Sustainability Officers National Median Salary: $ 206,680 Sociology-Related Jobs: CSR and Sustainability VP (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Vice President); ESG Manager (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Manager)
Sociologists $ 101,770 Clinical Sociologist; Family Sociologist; Medical Sociologist; Rural Sociologist; Urban Sociologist
Occupation: Sociologists National Median Salary: $ 101,770 Sociology-Related Jobs: Clinical Sociologist; Family Sociologist; Medical Sociologist; Rural Sociologist; Urban Sociologist
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary $ 82,670 Adjunct Sociology Professor; Comparative Sociology Professor
Occupation: Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary National Median Salary: $ 82,670 Sociology-Related Jobs: Adjunct Sociology Professor; Comparative Sociology Professor
Social and Community Service Managers $ 77,030 Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Occupation: Social and Community Service Managers National Median Salary: $ 77,030 Sociology-Related Jobs: Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary $ 75,020 Family Welfare Social Work Professor; Geriatric Social Work Professor; Health Social Work Professor
Occupation: Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary National Median Salary: $ 75,020 Sociology-Related Jobs: Family Welfare Social Work Professor; Geriatric Social Work Professor; Health Social Work Professor
Healthcare Social Workers $ 62,940 AIDS Social Worker; Certified Health Care Social Worker; Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC); Clinical Social Worker; Geriatric Social Worker; Group Social Worker; Health Care Social Worker; Healthcare Social Worker; Home Health Care Social Worker; Hospice Home Care Social Worker; Hospice Medical Social Worker; Hospice Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Long Term Care Social Worker; Medical Social Consultant; Medical Social Worker; Neonatal Social Worker; Nephrology Social Worker; Nursing Home Social Worker; Older Adult Social Work Specialist; Oncology Social Worker; Pediatric Social Worker; Perinatal Social Worker; Public Health Social Worker; Renal Social Worker
Occupation: Healthcare Social Workers National Median Salary: $ 62,940 Sociology-Related Jobs: AIDS Social Worker; Certified Health Care Social Worker; Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC); Clinical Social Worker; Geriatric Social Worker; Group Social Worker; Health Care Social Worker; Healthcare Social Worker; Home Health Care Social Worker; Hospice Home Care Social Worker; Hospice Medical Social Worker; Hospice Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Long Term Care Social Worker; Medical Social Consultant; Medical Social Worker; Neonatal Social Worker; Nephrology Social Worker; Nursing Home Social Worker; Older Adult Social Work Specialist; Oncology Social Worker; Pediatric Social Worker; Perinatal Social Worker; Public Health Social Worker; Renal Social Worker
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $ 55,960 Behavioral Health Social Worker; Clinical Social Worker; Community Mental Health Social Worker; Drug Abuse Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; Mental Health Social Worker; Psychiatric Social Worker; Psychotherapist Social Worker
Occupation: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers National Median Salary: $ 55,960 Sociology-Related Jobs: Behavioral Health Social Worker; Clinical Social Worker; Community Mental Health Social Worker; Drug Abuse Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; Mental Health Social Worker; Psychiatric Social Worker; Psychotherapist Social Worker
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $ 53,940 Adoption Social Worker; Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker); Child Welfare Social Worker; Delinquency Prevention Social Worker; Foster Care Social Worker; Licensed Social Worker; LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Protective Services Social Worker; School Social Worker
Occupation: Child, Family, and School Social Workers National Median Salary: $ 53,940 Sociology-Related Jobs: Adoption Social Worker; Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker); Child Welfare Social Worker; Delinquency Prevention Social Worker; Foster Care Social Worker; Licensed Social Worker; LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Protective Services Social Worker; School Social Worker
Social and Human Service Assistants $ 41,410 Clinical Social Work Aide
Occupation: Social and Human Service Assistants National Median Salary: $ 41,410 Sociology-Related Jobs: Clinical Social Work Aide

10 Sociology careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Sociology-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Sociology-Related Jobs

Chief Sustainability Officers 5 CSR and Sustainability VP (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Vice President); ESG Manager (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Manager)
Occupation: Chief Sustainability Officers Education/Preparation: 5 Sociology-Related Jobs: CSR and Sustainability VP (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Vice President); ESG Manager (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Manager)
Healthcare Social Workers 5 AIDS Social Worker; Certified Health Care Social Worker; Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC); Clinical Social Worker; Geriatric Social Worker; Group Social Worker; Health Care Social Worker; Healthcare Social Worker; Home Health Care Social Worker; Hospice Home Care Social Worker; Hospice Medical Social Worker; Hospice Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Long Term Care Social Worker; Medical Social Consultant; Medical Social Worker; Neonatal Social Worker; Nephrology Social Worker; Nursing Home Social Worker; Older Adult Social Work Specialist; Oncology Social Worker; Pediatric Social Worker; Perinatal Social Worker; Public Health Social Worker; Renal Social Worker
Occupation: Healthcare Social Workers Education/Preparation: 5 Sociology-Related Jobs: AIDS Social Worker; Certified Health Care Social Worker; Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC); Clinical Social Worker; Geriatric Social Worker; Group Social Worker; Health Care Social Worker; Healthcare Social Worker; Home Health Care Social Worker; Hospice Home Care Social Worker; Hospice Medical Social Worker; Hospice Social Worker; Hospital Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker); LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker); LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Long Term Care Social Worker; Medical Social Consultant; Medical Social Worker; Neonatal Social Worker; Nephrology Social Worker; Nursing Home Social Worker; Older Adult Social Work Specialist; Oncology Social Worker; Pediatric Social Worker; Perinatal Social Worker; Public Health Social Worker; Renal Social Worker
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 5 Behavioral Health Social Worker; Clinical Social Worker; Community Mental Health Social Worker; Drug Abuse Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; Mental Health Social Worker; Psychiatric Social Worker; Psychotherapist Social Worker
Occupation: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Education/Preparation: 5 Sociology-Related Jobs: Behavioral Health Social Worker; Clinical Social Worker; Community Mental Health Social Worker; Drug Abuse Social Worker; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); Licensed Social Worker; Mental Health Social Worker; Psychiatric Social Worker; Psychotherapist Social Worker
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary 5 Family Welfare Social Work Professor; Geriatric Social Work Professor; Health Social Work Professor
Occupation: Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary Education/Preparation: 5 Sociology-Related Jobs: Family Welfare Social Work Professor; Geriatric Social Work Professor; Health Social Work Professor
Sociologists 5 Clinical Sociologist; Family Sociologist; Medical Sociologist; Rural Sociologist; Urban Sociologist
Occupation: Sociologists Education/Preparation: 5 Sociology-Related Jobs: Clinical Sociologist; Family Sociologist; Medical Sociologist; Rural Sociologist; Urban Sociologist
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary 5 Adjunct Sociology Professor; Comparative Sociology Professor
Occupation: Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary Education/Preparation: 5 Sociology-Related Jobs: Adjunct Sociology Professor; Comparative Sociology Professor
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 4 Adoption Social Worker; Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker); Child Welfare Social Worker; Delinquency Prevention Social Worker; Foster Care Social Worker; Licensed Social Worker; LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Protective Services Social Worker; School Social Worker
Occupation: Child, Family, and School Social Workers Education/Preparation: 4 Sociology-Related Jobs: Adoption Social Worker; Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW); Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker); Child Welfare Social Worker; Delinquency Prevention Social Worker; Foster Care Social Worker; Licensed Social Worker; LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker); Protective Services Social Worker; School Social Worker
Social and Community Service Managers 4 Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Occupation: Social and Community Service Managers Education/Preparation: 4 Sociology-Related Jobs: Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Social and Human Service Assistants 4 Clinical Social Work Aide
Occupation: Social and Human Service Assistants Education/Preparation: 4 Sociology-Related Jobs: Clinical Social Work Aide
Home Health Aides 2 Home Health Social Worker
Occupation: Home Health Aides Education/Preparation: 2 Sociology-Related Jobs: Home Health Social Worker

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 61 specific Sociology job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Adjunct Sociology Professor
Adoption Social Worker
AIDS Social Worker
Behavioral Health Social Worker
Certified Child, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW)
Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW)
Certified Health Care Social Worker
Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC)
Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker)
Child Welfare Social Worker
Clinical Social Work Aide
Clinical Social Worker
Clinical Sociologist
Community Mental Health Social Worker
Comparative Sociology Professor
CSR and Sustainability VP (Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Vice President)
Delinquency Prevention Social Worker
Drug Abuse Social Worker
ESG Manager (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Manager)
Family Sociologist
Family Welfare Social Work Professor
Foster Care Social Worker
Geriatric Social Work Professor
Geriatric Social Worker
Group Social Worker
Health Care Social Worker
Health Social Work Professor
Healthcare Social Worker
Home Health Care Social Worker
Home Health Social Worker
Hospice Home Care Social Worker
Hospice Medical Social Worker
Hospice Social Worker
Hospital Social Worker
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Licensed Social Worker
LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker)
LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker)
LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)
LMSW (Licensed Medical Social Worker)
Long Term Care Social Worker
Medical Social Consultant
Medical Social Worker
Medical Sociologist
Mental Health Social Worker
Neonatal Social Worker
Nephrology Social Worker
Nursing Home Social Worker
Older Adult Social Work Specialist
Oncology Social Worker
Pediatric Social Worker
Perinatal Social Worker
Protective Services Social Worker
Psychiatric Social Worker
Psychiatric Social Worker Supervisor
Psychotherapist Social Worker
Public Health Social Worker
Renal Social Worker
Rural Sociologist
School Social Worker
Urban Sociologist


Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Healthcare Social Workers.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Healthcare Social Workers

Description: Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

U.S. Total Employment (2023):
184,900
U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.):
209,300
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.):
24,400 (13.2%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.):
20,400
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Healthcare Social Workers":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Educate clients about end-of-life symptoms and options to assist them in making informed decisions.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Utilize consultation data and social work experience to plan and coordinate client or patient care and rehabilitation, following through to ensure service efficacy.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Identify environmental impediments to client or patient progress through interviews and review of patient records.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Refer patient, client, or family to community resources to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness and to provide access to services such as financial assistance, legal aid, housing, job placement or education.
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in clients' status.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress according to measurable goals described in treatment and care plan.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Plan discharge from care facility to home or other care facility.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life.
Importance: 85 (%) Description: Develop or advise on social policy and assist in community development.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Supervise and direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Plan and conduct programs to combat social problems, prevent substance abuse, or improve community health and counseling services.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Conduct social research to advance knowledge in the social work field.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Oversee Medicaid- and Medicare-related paperwork and recordkeeping in hospitals.
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Investigate child abuse or neglect cases and take authorized protective action when necessary.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 76 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Advise others on social or educational issues.
Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
Collect information about clients.
Complete documentation required by programs or regulations.
Conduct research on social issues.
Confer with clients to discuss treatment plans or progress.
Counsel clients or patients regarding personal issues.
Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
Counsel family members of clients or patients.
Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
Evaluate potential problems in home or work environments of clients.
Intervene in crisis situations to assist clients.
Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
Investigate legal issues.
Maintain client records.
Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.
Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
Plan programs to address community health issues.
Refer clients to community or social service programs.
Refer individuals to educational or work programs.
Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 69 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Administrative: Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Negotiation: Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Systems Evaluation: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Management of Personnel Resources: Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Advise others on educational or vocational matters.
Activity: Assess living, work, or social needs or status of individuals or communities.
Activity: Assist others to access additional services or resources.
Activity: Collect information about patients or clients.
Activity: Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient care.
Activity: Counsel others about personal matters.
Activity: Develop patient or client care or treatment plans.
Activity: Develop public or community health programs.
Activity: Explain medical information to patients or family members.
Activity: Interview people to obtain information.
Activity: Investigate criminal or legal matters.
Activity: Maintain health or medical records.
Activity: Monitor health conditions of humans or animals.
Activity: Prepare legal or regulatory documents.
Activity: Research historical or social issues.
Activity: Supervise personnel activities.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
High-Priority Tech Skills
Project management software:
Microsoft Teams
Video conferencing software:
Zoom
Widely Used Tech Skills
Video conferencing software:
Google Meet
Emerging Tech Skills
Medical software:
MEDITECH software
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software:
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Calendar and scheduling software:
Calendar software
Data base user interface and query software:
Command Systems ComServe
Database software
Relational database software
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe PageMaker
Microsoft Publisher
Electronic mail software:
Email software
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Medical software (scroll table below):
Automated clinical information systems
Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
James Frazier Associates DataStart
Medical procedure coding software
Medical records software
Patient electronic medical record EMR software
Social Solutions ETO
Social Work Software ClientTouch
Mobile messaging service software:
Intrado SchoolMessenger
Office suite software:
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Presentation software:
Information presentation software
Web page creation and editing software:
Web page design and editing software
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 70.4 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 14.8 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 11.1 (%) Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.
Frequency of Attainment: 3.7 (%) Level of Education: First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 53.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 23.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 7.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 3.9 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (ABECSW) External Link
American Geriatrics Society (AGS) External Link
Board of Oncology Social Work Certification External Link
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) External Link
National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care (NCBAC) External Link
The Beryl Institute External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings
Related Careers to Consider


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Healthcare Social Workers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Healthcare Social Workers". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Healthcare Social Workers". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Healthcare Social Workers


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Healthcare Social Workers" occupation.






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