Social Worker Working Conditions

Social workers held about 649,300 jobs in 2014. The industries that employed the most social workers were as follows:

State and local government, excluding education and hospitals: 29%

Individual and family services: 18%

Ambulatory healthcare services: 13%

Hospitals; state, local, and private: 11%

Nursing and residential care facilities: 9%

Although most social workers work in an office, they may spend time visiting clients. School social workers may be assigned to multiple schools and travel around the school district to see students. Understaffing and large caseloads may cause the work to be stressful. Social workers may work remotely through distance counseling, using videoconferencing or mobile technology to meet with clients and organize support and advocacy groups. Distance counseling can be effective for clients with paranoia or social anxiety and for clients who live in rural areas.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition

Find additional occupational information below:

Social Worker Duties
Social Worker Work Conditions
Social Worker Employment
Social Worker Training
Social Worker Job Outlook
Social Worker Earnings