Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Child, family, and school social workers provide services to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families. They work in schools, child protective services agencies, adoption and foster care organizations, and community mental health centers. The role involves direct support to families, coordination of services, and advocacy for vulnerable children.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against child, family, and school social workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves meeting with families to assess needs and develop service plans, coordinating with schools and healthcare providers, documenting case progress, and attending meetings with supervisors and community partners. Social workers may conduct home visits to check on child safety, help parents access resources like housing assistance or mental health services, facilitate support groups, or prepare paperwork for foster care or adoption proceedings. The work requires balancing administrative tasks with direct client interaction.
Who this work suits
Holland code SCI. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
This work suits people who value helping others and organizing systems to support families in crisis. If you're detail-oriented, can follow regulations and procedures while remaining empathetic, and are drawn to solving concrete social problems, this career may fit well with your strengths and interests.
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Social Worker (Program Coordinator)- Care Coordination and Integrated Case Management · Veterans Health Administration · Miami, Florida · $109327–$142128
- Social Worker-Suicide Prevention Case Manager · Veterans Health Administration · Saint Cloud, Minnesota · $72784–$114488
- Social Worker (Outreach/Prevention Case Manager & HCHV/HUD VASH) · Veterans Health Administration · Bath, New York · $61722–$97087
- Social Worker - HUD VASH Case Manager · Veterans Health Administration · Greenville, South Carolina · $70971–$111635
- Social Worker (Mental Health Intensive Case Management) - EDRP Authorized · Veterans Health Administration · Lubbock, Texas · $61722–$97087
- Social Worker- Housing and Urban Development/VA Supportive Housing(HUD-VASH) Case Manager · Veterans Health Administration · Memphis, Tennessee · $94870–$123337
- Social Worker- HUD-VASH Case Manager · Veterans Health Administration · White City, Oregon · $71972–$113210
- Social Worker (Inpatient Acute Medicine) · Veterans Health Administration · Nashville, Tennessee · $87822–$114163
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $62,030 | $78,970 | $100,510 | 5,230 |
| Maryland | $56,920 | $76,390 | $93,940 | 4,710 |
| New Jersey | $59,530 | $76,280 | $97,500 | 7,360 |
| Massachusetts | $61,150 | $75,570 | $94,650 | 10,900 |
| Washington | $58,920 | $74,480 | $86,700 | 10,720 |
| District of Columbia | $59,730 | $73,550 | $99,500 | 2,430 |
| New Hampshire | $50,680 | $71,010 | $80,810 | 1,700 |
| Rhode Island | $50,760 | $69,870 | $85,770 | 2,450 |
| Hawaii | $58,290 | $68,270 | $79,860 | 1,170 |
| Minnesota | $56,510 | $67,450 | $81,720 | 6,540 |
| Vermont | $58,570 | $67,340 | $74,940 | 640 |
| California | $52,270 | $65,200 | $82,080 | 60,310 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-CYFSW) — National Association of Social Workers
- Certified School Social Work Specialist (C-SSWS) — National Association of Social Workers
- Certified Advanced Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-ACYFSW) — National Association of Social Workers
- Bachelors Social Work Licensing Examination — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Clinical Social Work Licensing Examination — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) — National Association of Social Workers
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against child, family, and school social workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 21-1021.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.