If you’re a social worker looking to make a change, deciding on a new career path can feel daunting and overwhelming. The good news is that the skills and experiences you’ve gained as a social worker can actually open the door to many alternative careers that you might be interested in. Whether you have years of experience in the field or you recently earned your bachelor’s or Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, it’s worth exploring your options.
Switching careers doesn’t mean starting from scratch — your social work training in empathy, communication, and problem-solving gives you a strong foundation to succeed in other fields.
In this guide, you’ll find a clear overview of the best jobs that are similar to social work, including careers in mental health, healthcare, criminal justice, child welfare, politics, education, and many more. We’ll also outline the common reasons social workers may make a career change and the transferable skills that can help you succeed in a new role.
Why Switch Careers from Social Work?
There are many valid reasons why social workers might consider switching careers from social work. While the profession is rooted in supporting individuals and communities, it often comes with long hours, limited resources, and emotionally challenging situations, which can affect and take a toll on job satisfaction over time.One common reason for exploring alternative careers is burnout. Burnout is common in fields where you are dealing with trauma and vicarious trauma, which is so much of clinical social work. Other reasons social workers change careers include wanting a new professional challenge or realizing that their long-term goals and skills may align better with different career paths. According to an article that was published by the Delaware Journal of Public Health, so many social workers experience burnout in their work and it’s recommended to explore self care tools to help alleviate the challenges.1
The Best Alternative Careers for Social Workers
The Best Alternative Careers for Social Workers
If you want to leave social work, we would recommend that you consider careers where your social work expertise, like empathy, systems thinking, and advocacy, can shine through.
- Psychologist – Psychologists nowadays earn a median annual wage of $94,310 nationally.3
- Human Resources Specialist – The median salary for human resource specialists is approximately $72,910 as of 2025.4
- Financial Analyst – Financial and management analysts earn a median of $101,190 annually, with higher pay common for those that are in professional, scientific, and technical areas.5
- High School Teacher – High school teachers earn an average of $64,580 nationally, with elementary and secondary school teachers earning more, at the national average of $66,930.6
- Sociologist – The median annual wage for sociologists stands at $101,690 nationally.7
- Mediator – Mediators earn a median salary of $67,710 nationally.8
- Real Estate Broker – Median earnings are $58,960 nationally, with successful agents in luxury markets having the ability to exceed six figures.9
- College Admissions Counselor – Median pay is approximately $65,140 for these roles in 2025.10
What Are Transferable Social Worker Skills?
To land jobs that are similar to social work, you’ll need to highlight your transferable skills. Here are some of the most valuable skills that employers look for:
- Empathy – understanding others’ perspectives and needs.
- Active listening – ensuring clients, colleagues, or stakeholders feel heard.
- Written and verbal communication – conveying information clearly in reports, presentations, or daily interactions.
- Problem-solving – addressing complex issues with practical, evidence-based solutions.
- Interpersonal skills – building relationships and trust across diverse groups.
- Negotiation skills – mediating and finding common ground in conflicts.
- Organizational skills – managing multiple cases, projects, or priorities effectively.
- Resilience under pressure – staying focused and effective in high-stress environments.
- Decision-making – weighing options and outcomes to choose the best course of action.
- Systems analysis – understanding how policies, organizations, and communities interact.
These transferable skills give social workers an edge when they are moving into roles like consulting, education, healthcare, or corporate leadership. These are fields where communication, empathy, and structured problem-solving are in high demand.
Switching Careers from Social Work
There are many alternative careers for social workers that allow you to leverage your existing education and skills while also finding meaningful and sustainable work. Whether you’re feeling burnt out in your current role or simply seeking a new challenge, these career paths can provide you with opportunities for professional growth and personal fulfillment.
Once you decide which alternative career path is the best fit, we recommend that you focus on building a strong resume and cover letter tailored to that role, completing any required certifications or training, and applying to opportunities in your chosen field. By strengthening your resume, gaining any additional training you need, and approaching the job search strategically, you can position yourself for success in a new career.
For example, if you are moving into education, you may need a state teaching license, while shifting into consulting may require specialized training in project management or organizational leadership.
Alternative Careers for Social Workers FAQ
Jobs similar to social work that often pay more include:
– Psychologists, who earn a median annual salary of $94,310 nationally as of 2025.3
– Sociologists, with a median annual wage of $101,690 nationally.7
– High school teachers, who earn about $64,580 annually, with higher pay in certain districts and types of schools.6
Other options, such as financial analysts, carry more income variability but can lead to six-figure earnings for top performers.5
With a Master of Social Work (MSW), you can transition into mediation, consulting, higher education roles, or positions in corporate social responsibility. An MSW also prepares you for management and coordination roles across healthcare, nonprofit, and government sectors, where leadership and policy expertise are in demand.
Some non-traditional social work jobs include corporate social responsibility, research in the social sciences, roles in healthcare administration, and diversity and inclusion leadership. These careers will allow social workers to apply their skills in advocacy, systems analysis, and organizational change beyond traditional clinical settings.
Common types of social work include:
– Clinical social work, supporting individuals and families with mental health and behavioral health needs.
– Child, family, and school social work, helping children succeed academically and socially.
– Public welfare and community social work, addressing poverty, housing, and resource access.
Social workers may also specialize in substance use recovery, trauma and disaster response, healthcare social work, or policy and advocacy.
These career paths show how your social work training can open doors to higher-paying, non-traditional, and emerging roles across industries.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10987033/
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/human-resources-specialists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/management-analysts.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/high-school-teachers.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/sociologists.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/arbitrators-mediators-and-conciliators.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
