Social workers are heroes, as they play such a vital role in the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable people in the US. The best companies for social workers employ these experts to ensure stability and promote collective responsibility. If you want to become a social worker, you should know that the job is more about making a difference than earning a lot of money.
If you’re interested in this field, you might be wondering what the highest-paying social work companies are. This article will cover that as we detail the best companies for social workers to find employment at. It will also discuss specific responsibilities and company reviews.
What Is a Social Worker?
Social workers are professionals who make sure that people get access to the fundamental necessities of life. The group of people they attend to usually depends on their expertise. For example, child and family social workers ensure that families, especially children, live in good conditions and are well taken care of.
How to Get a Social Worker Job
Getting a job as a social worker requires following a series of steps. These steps are detailed below. Keep in mind, specific qualifications might depend on your location and the organization you’re applying to work for.
- Get a social work degree. A bachelor’s degree in social work is the first step to getting a high-paying job. This will take approximately four years and covers key subjects like social welfare policies, social work practice, and a wide range of other topics that will help you understand human behavior in different social environments.
- Secure your master’s degree in social work. The next step in your education is getting a master’s in social work. A master’s degree is especially important if you are thinking of specializing in clinical social work. In addition, a good academic performance is key if you want to attain a high-paying job.
- Obtain fieldwork experience. You should look for a social work placement that will allow you to log hours on the job while acquiring clinical experience. Depending on the state, the placement could be supervised or unsupervised. Social work experience hours typically range from 450 to 900.
- Get your state license: Even with your education, you can’t dive into the social work profession without meeting the state licensing requirements. The social work license you get will depend on your specialization. Employers will ask you for your license before you even get an interview.
- Apply for social work jobs. While the federal and state governments are the most popular employers of a wide range of social workers, there are other companies you may want to apply to. Create your professional portfolio and start pursuing a rewarding career in social work.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Social Worker Companies
| Company | Salary for Social Workers |
|---|---|
| US Army | $91,204 |
| AbleTo | $83,469 |
| US Department of Veterans Affairs | $74,633 |
| UnitedHealth Group | $72,123 |
| HCA Healthcare | $66,198 |
| DaVita | $62,975 |
| VITAS Healthcare | $60,370 |
| Department of Children and Family Services | $58,312 |
| CVS Health | $57,865 |
| University of Pittsburgh Medical Center | $48,396 |
US Army
Although this highest-paying organization is not a private company, it is one of the best employers of social workers. The US Army employs social workers for a range of duties that are designed to help active services members navigate life in the military. These social workers are deployed along with soldiers.
What Does the US Army Pay Its Social Workers?
You will earn an average annual salary of $91,204, as a social worker in the US Army. Keep in mind, this is the average salary, which means the starting salary will likely be lower for entry-level social workers, while social workers with a lot of experience can earn more.
US Army Reviews
Working as a social worker in the US Army is a great honor and an amazing way to serve your country on the frontlines. According to Indeed reviews, social workers report a feeling of fulfillment and enjoy great benefits. However, it may be difficult to maintain a work-life balance during deployment.
AbleTo
AbleTo is a behavioral healthcare facility that helps people cope with mental health issues. The platform provides these services remotely so people can get the help they need from the comfort of their own homes. Social workers are employed as counselors and specialists to help AbleTo clients.
What Does AbleTo Pay Its Social Workers?
Social workers at AbleTo get an average wage of $83,469 annually. This salary increases to $89,840 for more experienced mental health professionals in the company.
AbleTo Reviews
AbleTo is an ideal place to work, based on Indeed employee reviews, because it provides stability while giving you a chance to help people across the nation. Management also provides employee assistance programs, such as mental health services, for its workers. These programs ensure you stay mentally and emotionally healthy, as you help others.
US Department of Veterans Affairs
The US Department of Veterans Affairs is a department within the federal government that hires social workers to take care of US veterans. They work in VA hospitals, emergency departments, and other veteran centers. When veterans have a medical emergency or are facing challenges taking care of themselves, the department assigns a social worker to them.
What Does the US Department of Veterans Affairs Pay Its Social Workers?
Social workers who are employed by the US Department of Veterans Affairs get an average annual wage of $74,633. This amount varies significantly depending on the job title. Examiners get about $44,028, while care coordinators receive $96,847, yearly.
US Department of Veterans Affairs Reviews
According to reviews on Glassdoor, The US Department of Veterans Affairs provides job stability and a variety of benefits. While the job comes with the typical challenges of working with the government, it also comes with long-term job security and other job benefits, like educational programs.
UnitedHealth Group
UnitedHealth Group is another high-paying organization for social workers in the United States. The company provides healthcare and insurance services. UnitedHealth Group employs healthcare social workers as part of the staff in its healthcare facilities.
What Does UnitedHealth Group Pay Its Social Workers?
UnitedHealth Group pays $72,123 to social workers as an average base salary. However, Indeed notes that clinical social workers earn an average of $279,272, yearly. Advocacy managers, directors of clinical services, and case managers are also top earners at UnitedHealth Group.
UnitedHealth Group Reviews
According to social worker reviews on Indeed, working at UnitedHealth Group comes with a range of benefits, such as schedule flexibility. Employees enjoy flexible hours and the option to work as a remote social worker, while enjoying all of the same benefits as on-site staff.
HCA Healthcare
HCA Healthcare is a great place to work if you are looking for a meaningful and progressive career as a social worker. This network of private hospitals was founded in 1968 and currently has over 2,000 care centers, providing innovative solutions in the United States and the United Kingdom.
What Does HCA Healthcare Pay Its Social Workers?
Social workers at HCA Healthcare earn about $66,198 annually, according to Indeed. The highest-paid healthcare professionals in the company include case managers who earn up to $158,000, annually and case coordinators who earn $84,235, per year.
HCA Healthcare Reviews
Based on Indeed reviews, most employees at HCA Healthcare are satisfied with their jobs because of the healthy work environment. The organization offers a wide variety of benefits like matching 401k, hope funds, paid time off, and employee stock purchase plans. However, some employees on Glassdoor noted that they were being overworked and underpaid.
DaVita
DaVita is a kidney care company that provides dialysis to patients and educates people on the risk factors for kidney problems. Dialysis can be a stressful treatment, so social workers are employed as case managers for these patients, as they adjust to their new lives and cope with the emotional stress.
What Does DaVita Pay Its Social Workers?
Social workers at DaVita get an average annual wage of $62,975. The lowest earners in the company are liaisons who get about $39,876 per year, followed by counselors who receive an annual salary of $45,475. Case managers, on the other hand, earn $104,851, each year and clinical service directors get $139,855, annually.
DaVita Reviews
DaVita provides a friendly and diverse environment for everyone to work in, according to social worker reviews on Indeed. Employees consider the team at DaVita a family rather than a workplace. There are additional benefits that come with the base salary, such as the potential option to work from home.
VITAS Healthcare
VITAS Healthcare is currently the best provider of end-of-life services in the United States. The human service agency offers end-of-life healthcare, hospice care, and palliative care. Since the company was founded in 1978, it has employed social workers to help its patients as they face end-of-life challenges.
What Does VITAS Healthcare Pay Its Social Workers?
VITAS Healthcare pays workers about $60,370, annually. The wage of social workers ranges between $54,698 and $74,343, depending on your specialization.
VITAS Healthcare Reviews
VITAS Healthcare offers a great working environment based on social workers’ feedback on Indeed. Apart from the general benefits that come with working for this establishment, employees also get relocation assistance and tuition reimbursement.
Department of Children and Family Services
Popularly known as the DCFS or social services, this government arm is charged with ensuring the wellbeing of children throughout childhood and adolescence. For example, when there is suspected child abuse within a home, the DCFS steps in to investigate and take necessary action. It also helps other victims of domestic violence.
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What Does the Department of Children and Family Services Pay Its Social Workers?
A DCFS social worker earns an average of $58,312, yearly. However, it is important to note that these child advocates are among the lowest earners in the department. While a caseworker earns as little as $27,495, family service counselors earn up to $62,000, yearly.
Department of Children and Family Services Reviews
Social worker reviews on Indeed indicate that working at DCFS is not. As DCFS is one of the biggest employers of social workers and deals with some of the most horrifying cases, social workers can easily become overworked and overwhelmed. However, DCSF social workers assume such an important role, so you shouldn’t let these issues deter you.
CVS Health
Consumer Value Stores, popularly known as CVS Health, have been one of the most popular providers of health care products and services since 1963. It hires social workers in hospitals, pharmacies, and health insurance companies.
What Does CVS Health Pay Its Social Workers?
CVS Health pays social workers about $57,865, yearly. Salaries could be higher or lower depending on your position and location. The director of clinical services earns about $110,584, while health advocates receive $39,055, annually.
CVS Health Reviews
CVS Health offers a positive work environment for social workers with good benefits and pay, based on Indeed reviews. However, it was stated that those in supervisory roles lacked good management skills and were not supportive to their staff. The base salary comes with additional benefits like healthcare.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, popularly known as UPMC belongs to nonprofit organizations that go beyond standard healthcare services. It also provides insurance services. Social workers with great interpersonal skills are employed at UPMC’s healthcare centers and universities.
What Does the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pay Its Social Workers?
UPMC pays social workers an average of $48,396, yearly. How much you earn will depend on your qualifications and interests. Clinical social workers get about $70,162 per year, education specialists receive $73,642, and care coordinators get an average of $84,235, annually.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Reviews
Glassdoor reviews show that entry-level social workers at UPMC may not get a lot of money, but can take advantage of opportunities for career growth. However, some employees state that the management could be more supportive to its staff who may end up working long hours.
Why You Should Become a Social Worker in 2023
You should become a social worker in 2023 because it is a fulfilling career. While social workers aren’t among the top earners in the country, there is a 12 percent employment growth rate for this profession between 2020 and 2030, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you love helping people, you will benefit from being a social worker. Moreover, you can opt to become a hospital social worker, which is considered a field that is currently experiencing employment growth, greatly as a result of the pandemic.
Best Companies for Social Workers FAQ
Rehabilitation social work, school social work, clinical social work, mental health social work, case management social work, and family/child social work are some of the highest-paying social work jobs.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is currently the largest employer of social workers in the United States. You will need a master’s degree in a relevant field if you want to secure a job in this department.
Yes, social work is a good career that allows you to have a real impact on people’s lives. However, you may need a lot of emotional strength to deal with some of the extreme cases you will come across during your career. Overall, it’s an important and fulfilling career.
Yes, social workers are typically underpaid when you consider the work they put in and the long hours they work. Some social workers earn as low as $19,000 yearly, according to ZipRecruiter. Even those in private practice do not earn a lot.
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