Social workers are employed throughout the American healthcare system to help clients of all ages facing diverse medical needs. Hospital patients may present with challenges related to mental health disorders, finances, and interpersonal relationships. Hospital social workers equip their clients with the resources needed to navigate challenges in all facets of their lives.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 10% growth in hospital social workers over the next decade. This demand translates into an above-average salary for this specialization compared to other social work career paths. It’s natural to wonder what hospital social workers do as you consider this growing profession.

 

What Does a Hospital Social Worker Do?

Social workers are crucial to the health and well-being of those seeking care through healthcare providers. A social worker’s role in a hospital involves client screening, care planning, and advocacy in collaboration with doctors and nurses. They also work with physical therapists, occupational therapists, and other members of their treatment team. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) notes that hospital social workers are necessary to help clients access resources in a fundamentally unequal system.

Behavioral or mental health specialists are another group of social workers who provide support and interventions for hospital patients. They mediate discussions and resolve conflicts between patients, their families, and providers. This social work position also:

• Assist patients and families as they cope with illnesses and medical emergencies
• Identify long-term care needs and challenges as part of care planning
• Refer individuals and families for specialized mental health counseling

The Global Social Service Workforce Alliance details additional roles for social workers in healthcare settings. Care managers with social work training focus on client progress and case management. Community engagement specialists connect clients to financial, housing, and mental health resources before they are discharged. Multi-level advocates protect client rights and intervene on behalf of individuals and families to hospital decision-makers.

 

Career Outlook and Salary for Hospital Social Workers

The social work profession is experiencing growth due to retirements and an aging and diversifying population. The BLS projects a 7% growth in jobs for social workers from 2023 to 2033, which exceeds the 4% growth rate for all professions. Social work jobs in healthcare are projected to grow 10% over the same period, with 18,700 more professionals entering the workforce.

Hospital social workers typically earn more than their counterparts in other workplaces. The median salary for social workers in healthcare was $68,090 in 2024, compared to $61,330 for all social work professions. This compensation far exceeds the $49,500 median salary for all occupations.

Digging into BLS data reveals that where you work impacts your earnings as a hospital social worker. The top-paying industries for social workers in health care in 2023 were specialty hospitals ($79,160), child-focused medical services ($77,390), and general medical and surgical hospitals ($76,520). Geographical location also plays a factor in median salary, with the highest-paying states including:

1. California ($93,200)
2. District of Columbia ($87,860)
3. New Jersey ($82,010)
4. Oregon ($81,390)
5. Connecticut ($79,360)

Demand for hospital social workers is consistent throughout the country. This ongoing need for compassionate, skilled professionals means opportunities in rural towns, suburbs, and big cities. Experienced social workers in healthcare settings are also positioned for future promotions and raises due to long-term demand.

 

Becoming a Hospital Social Worker

Positive impacts on clients and good job prospects make hospital social work an attractive career path. You may not be aware of the steps involved in becoming a social worker in healthcare settings. The following steps will set you off in the right direction:

 

1. Determine if a Hospital Social Work Career is Right for You

The BLS notes that good interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills are important for all social workers. It is worthwhile to dig deeper into the qualities essential for social workers in healthcare settings. After all, hospitals are stressful environments for individuals and families facing life-changing health challenges. 

Hospital social workers can reduce this stress by demonstrating empathy and compassion for their clients. They know how to effectively communicate with people of different ages, backgrounds, and professions in fast-paced environments. NASW’s Standards for Social Work Practice in Healthcare Settings also suggest that professionals affirm their clients’ dignity through cross-cultural knowledge and cultural competency.

 

2. Complete Educational Requirements

Social work professionals seeking roles in clinical settings need to complete a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. These programs require the completion of a bachelor’s degree before admission. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) to pursue an MSW; a growing number of universities design their MSW to build off bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines.

MSW programs combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences in clinical settings. Graduate coursework builds student knowledge of counseling skills, public policy, and cultural competency. Hundreds of hours of supervised field experiences bring these lessons to life, while building student comfort with client care.

 

3. Earn State Licensure as a Clinical Social Worker

State licensing boards reinforce standards of care through their clinical social worker license requirements. These requirements differ from state to state, though an MSW is typically the minimum education necessary for licensure. For example, New York’s Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) application process requires:

• Certification of Professional Education
• Initial licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Completion of 36 months of supervised experience as an LMSW
• Passing score on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Exam

A good MSW program can prepare you for the licensure process and future professional challenges. Your ideal program should fit your schedule, build on the skills you’ve already learned, and help you reach your career goals. St. Bonaventure University can help you check these boxes with our online MSW.

 

Learn to Help Others at St. Bonaventure University

Our online MSW program trains social work professionals to be compassionate and clinically knowledgeable. This 100% online degree can be completed in eight semesters or 31 months of part-time study, making it more convenient for your needs. We’ve designed our online MSW to help those with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines prepare for clinical social work licensure.

As an online MSW candidate, you’ll learn from faculty members with clinical experience. The 60-degree curriculum is divided into Foundation Year and Advanced Year sections. You’ll learn how to best serve clients in healthcare settings in courses including:

Foundation Year	Advanced Year
Human Behavior in the Social Environment	Clinical Practice with Individuals
Contemporary Social Welfare Policy	Trauma-Informed Clinical Social Work Practice
Community and Organization Practice	Clinical Practice with Families

Our one-on-one placement service helps MSW students identify supervised experiences in their communities. Effective placements maximize the value of your 900 practicum hours and integrate coursework in real-world settings. We also offer advising and career counseling from admission to graduation.

We have built a reputation for excellence, as recognized by top U.S. News & World Report rankings in Best Value Schools and Regional Universities North. Our graduates carry values like a commitment to service and respect for human dignity into the workforce. You can learn from a leading university with strong core values at an affordable price.

Find out more about how our online MSW program opens opportunities to help your community.