What Child, Family, and School Social Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Child, Family, and School Social Workers this way: "Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs"; "Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child care, or medical care"; "Maintain case history records and prepare reports"; "Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems, such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions"; "Counsel parents with child rearing problems, interviewing the child and family to determine whether further action is required".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Child, Family, and School Social Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 405,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 422,900 in 2035, an increase of 17,800 jobs (+4.4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 33,900 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,550, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn the most
Across the 5 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $59,784 in Indiana to $68,141 in California, a gap of $8,357 (1.14 times). 5 of those 5 states average above the BLS national median of $59,550 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 59,580, which is 34.1% of the 174,470 counted across them. New York follows with 35,260.
Highest-paying states
California ($68,141), New York ($65,793) and New Jersey ($64,134) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($59,784) and Illinois ($61,628) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 5 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $31,321. The smallest margin is $11,422 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 5 of the 5 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 27.0% and 62.6% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Healthcare Social Workers and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (21-1000) include Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors and Social and Human Service Assistants.
Frequently asked questions about Child, Family, and School Social Workers
What is the national median wage for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,550. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $59,784 to $68,141.
Which state pays Child, Family, and School Social Workers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $68,141. New York is next at $65,793.
What is the job outlook for Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 33,900 openings a year.
What education do Child, Family, and School Social Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Child, Family, and School Social Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $31,321 on a median wage of $64,790.