What Healthcare Social Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Healthcare Social Workers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Collaborate with other professionals to evaluate patients' medical or physical condition and to assess client needs"; "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"; "Counsel clients and patients in individual and group sessions to help them overcome dependencies, recover from illness, and adjust to life"; "Organize support groups or counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting the client or patient"; "Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is internship/residency.
Job outlook for Healthcare Social Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 194,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 211,300 in 2035, an increase of 16,500 jobs (+8.5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 16,900 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 8.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $67,880, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Healthcare Social Workers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $74,748 in New York to $75,862 in New Jersey, a gap of $1,115 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $67,880 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 23,160, which is 50.9% of the 45,530 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 22,370.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($75,862) and New York ($74,748) lead the ranking, while New York ($74,748) and New Jersey ($75,862) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Healthcare Social Workers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers and Child, Family, and School 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 Healthcare Social Workers
How much do Healthcare Social Workers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $67,880. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $74,748 to $75,862.
Which state pays Healthcare Social Workers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $75,862. New York is next at $74,748.
Is Healthcare Social Workers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 8.5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 16,900 openings a year.
What education do Healthcare Social Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree and internship/residency, according to BLS.