Healthcare Social Workers
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.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Healthcare Social Workers to increase by 8.5% between 2024 and 2034, from 194,800 to 211,300 jobs. Its estimate of 16,900 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($67,880), education (Master's degree), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
194,800
Projected employment (2034)
211,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
9%
Annual openings (projected average)
16,900
Pay & Preparation
$67,880
Master's degree
None
Internship/residency
Essential Skills
Social Perceptiveness (4.25/5) • Speaking (4.12/5) • Service Orientation (4.12/5) • Critical Thinking (4/5) • Coordination (4/5) • Reading Comprehension (4/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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