What are some careers similar to social work, preferably higher-paying?
I want to become a social worker, but they’re VERY underpaid. (40-50K with a Masters!)
Social work is a very niche type of career. It’s helping people but it’s a social science so not well paid. If you are good at science, try physical/occupational therapist, and maybe nursing too.
The first thing to ask yourself is what about Social Work are you attracted to? I disagree with goingnutsmom that Social Work is a “niche” type of career. An MSW actually gives you quite a wide range of career opportunities and some of them can be fairly well paid. In that way, social work is quite a lot like a law degree. For instance, you can go into a policy position, run an agency, start a private psychotherapy practice, etc. I think people often misunderstand what Social Workers do (or at least what many social workers do). On the other hand, it’s a career that requires a masters degree for any type of better paying work and it’s a rigorous masters program (60 credits). I would recommend taking a variety of psychology and sociology classes in college and see where your interest lies. Good luck!
And the salary really depends, my Ds best friend, just 5 years out of undergrad, is making close to six-figures, doing social-work outreach on behalf of hospitals in Spanish speaking neighborhoods.
@PollyC I’ve heard there’s tons of things I can do! I want to be a social worker, where I’d work with social services, & help abused/neglected children. I’m definitely going for a Master’s. Thanks!
@goingnutsmom I’m awful at science such as chem/bio, but I love social science. Thanks.
I meant “niche” as in specialized. You can definitely work with varied populations. BTW, I’m a social worker, LCSW for over 20 years. The pay will depend on where you land a job and other factors. It’s unusual to make 6 figures. I also I’m bilingual. Wow, let us know what exactly she does to make that much. Maybe she needs to go on the conference circuit and tell us how she does it.
Specialized but not limiting.
@goingnutsmom I plan on living in CA, where I’d make 60K. 47K after taxes, which is low for CA. They’re definitely underpaid!
I think the position I want is called a caseworker.
Have you thought of doing social work on another country with a bigger currency?
@HumphyDumpy I want to travel often, but I’m not sure I want to leave the USA. It seems difficult to return.
I think that would depend on your goals. I mean you can try just a couple of months, give it 'round 6 months preferably, you can weigh it out from there, if you’d still want to pursue or not.