Choosing Between Social Work and Counseling as a Career
Social workers are America’s largest group of mental health service providers—there are more than 200,000 clinically trained social workers who help millions of people manage their mental health. Social workers in various industries make a significant difference, such as healthcare social workers who reduce hospital readmissions and enhance patient satisfaction. Schools that employ social workers see reduced student absenteeism and improved test scores, while social workers who work with veterans increase both access to services and utilization of palliative care.
As the second largest segment of behavioral health professionals, licensed professional counselors also make a significant difference in the lives of the people they serve—military service members who receive counseling report less difficulty coping with day-to-day demands and responsibilities. College students who receive counseling on campus say they have better stress management, improve their grades and manage depression better.
These examples and many more highlight how positively and powerfully both social workers and counselors impact the lives of others. However, while both professions appeal to compassionate individuals and are in demand throughout the country, they also have important distinctions. Understanding the similarities and differences between the two professions can help each individual choose the career path that’s best for them.
Why are both counseling and social work in-demand professions?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that counselors and social workers are in high demand for several reasons, including:
- Increased need for elderly care
- Mental health services
- Treatment of substance use disorders
- Rising interest in public health and preventative care services
Jobs for counselors, social workers and other community and social service specialists are projected to grow by 8 percent between 2024 and 2034, more than twice the rate for all occupations.
How are counseling and social work roles similar in scope?
Both counseling and social work are professions centered on improving people’s lives. Counselors and social workers alike aim to elevate the emotional well-being and overall quality of life of the people they serve. Professionals who have pursued a clinical path in either social work or counseling may evaluate client behavior and emotional distress, diagnose psychological disorders, and conduct psychotherapy and evidence-based interventions to treat mental health struggles.
What is the difference between a counselor and social worker?
While counselors work with people experiencing psychological and behavioral challenges, social workers aim to improve mental health and quality of life by addressing the social factors at play in a person’s life.
Counselors have a targeted focus on treating mental, emotional and psychological issues. While clinical social workers may provide counseling and psychotherapy, the scope of the social work role extends beyond therapeutic intervention. Social workers connect people to services to address challenges in areas such as housing, food, poverty and unemployment.
The Career of a Counselor
Consider the various aspects of the counseling profession, including roles and responsibilities, salary outlook, and educational and licensure requirements.
Roles and Responsibilities
Counselors work with individuals, groups and communities to improve mental health outcomes. The roles and responsibilities of a counselor include:
- Assessment: Counselors evaluate clients to understand their needs and goals.
- Therapy: Counselors create a safe, private space for clients to talk about personal, emotional, or social challenges.
- Referral: Counselors may connect clients with medical professionals or psychiatrists when needed.
- Consultation: Counselors may work with a client’s family or social network to provide education and support in caring for the client.
Counselors talk with clients about emotions, experiences and issues influencing their life. They help clients identify their goals, work to achieve them, and evaluate their accomplishments.
Work Environment
Counselors practice in many settings, including academic institutions and healthcare facilities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest employers of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors are:
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers: 17%
- Offices of other health practitioners: 17%
- Individual and family services: 15%
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities: 9%
- Hospitals: 8%
Counselors also work in private practices, probation or parole agencies and correctional facilities.
Salary Outlook
The salary range for counselors varies based on experience and work environment. The BLS reports that, in May 2024, the median annual wages for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in the top industries in which they worked were:
- Hospitals: $61,930
- Offices of other health practitioners: $59,570
- Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers: $58,200
- Individual and family services: $57,080
- Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities: $49,610
ZipRecruiter reports that licensed professional counselors in private practice earn an average salary of $71,915.
Education and Licensure Requirements for Counselors
Aspiring mental health counselors must earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. To become licensed, aspiring counselors must complete supervised practicum and internship hours as part of their graduate program. All states require counselors to complete 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after graduating from a graduate level counseling program.
Counselors must also pass a certification exam offered by the National Board for Certified Counselors and complete continuing education hours every year. The NBCC offers multiple certification exams; exam each person takes varies based on the state credential they are applying to earn.
The Career of a Social Worker
Consider the various aspects of the social work profession, including roles and responsibilities, salary outlook, and educational and licensure requirements.
Roles and Responsibilities
Social workers help people improve their quality of life by supporting their emotional well-being and meeting their social needs. The roles and responsibilities of a social worker include:
- Assessment and Planning: Social workers evaluate clients' needs and support networks to develop personalized action or treatment plans.
- Navigating Resources: Social workers connect clients with social programs that assist with necessities such as food, housing, childcare and healthcare.
- Crisis Intervention: Social workers respond to emergencies including domestic violence, child abuse and acute mental health problems.
- Counseling and Therapy: Social workers who obtain the licensed clinical social worker credential can provide psychotherapeutic services to individuals and groups to improve mental health outcomes, help people process trauma, and work with clients who are facing substance abuse challenges.
- Advocacy: Social workers represent the best interests of clients and communities by working to have their needs met—and to improve social policy—in legal, academic and healthcare systems.
- Case Management: Social workers monitor client progress and work with a team of other professionals, such as healthcare workers, to coordinate comprehensive care.
Social workers both evaluate and educate, empowering individuals, families and communities to achieve greater mental health outcomes and quality of everyday life.
Work Environment
Social workers practice in a variety of settings, from government agencies to educational services. Some social workers have traditional weekday schedules, while others have evening, weekend, and holiday responsibilities. Other social workers are on-call. According to the BLS, the largest employers of social workers are:
- Individual and family services: 17%
- Local government (not education or hospitals): 14%
- State government (not education or hospitals): 12%
- Educational services (state, local and private): 9%
- Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services: 3%
While social workers often work in an office setting, many spend time visiting clients and community partners. School social workers may work in an office on one campus or work across several campuses throughout a school district.
Salary Outlook
The BLS reports that, as of May 2024, the median annual wage for social workers was $61,330. The median annual wages for the top industries in which social workers were employed were:
- Educational services (state, local and private): $67,620
- Local government (not education or hospitals): $65,920
- State government (not education or hospitals): $59,630
- Individual and family services: $51,430
- Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services: $49,980
ZipRecruiter reports that the average national salary for social workers in private practice is $76,266.
Education and Licensure Requirements for Social Workers
Social workers who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) work at a generalist scope. They are often supervised by social workers who have completed a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Master Social Workers are trained in advance practice topics and are prepared for leadership roles. Social workers who want to pursue licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker must earn a graduate-level degree.
BSW holders who want to earn their MSW are eligible to enroll in an advanced standing degree program (approximately 30 credit hours). Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field can enroll in a Traditional MSW program (approximately 60 credit hours). Both advanced standing and traditional MSW degree programs include advanced-level field work.
Graduates of MSW programs can pursue licensure through the Association of Social Work Boards. Those who want to become licensed clinical social workers must complete post-MSW supervised practice hours before taking the clinical social work exam needed for LCSW licensure.
Aspiring counselors must earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. To become licensed, aspiring counselors must complete supervised practicum and internship hours during their graduate program. All states require counselors to complete 2,000 to 4,000 hours of post-degree supervised clinical experience.
Counselors must also pass a National Board for Certified Counselors state-issued exam and complete continuing education hours every year. To become a clinical mental health counselor, aspiring mental health professionals must pass a licensure examination such as the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination.
Summing It Up: Social Work vs. Counseling
While social work and counseling are both centered on helping people improve their lives, the professions have important nuances. Anyone deciding between these two paths should consider differences in work responsibilities and environment, salary outlook, and education and licensure requirements.
|
Roles and Responsibilities |
Evaluating client needs and support networks, connecting clients to social programs, responding to emergencies, and, for those with an LCSW credential, providing counseling and therapy, advocating, and managing cases |
Providing mental health assessments, therapy, referrals, and consultations |
|
Work Environment |
Individual and family services, local and state government, educational services, community food and housing, emergency and relief services, rehabilitation services, and more |
Mental health and substance abuse centers, healthcare practices, hospitals, individual and family services, and more |
|
Salary Outlook |
Median: $61,330 |
Median: $59,150 |
|
Education and Licensure Requirements |
BSW for generalist roles often supervised by MSW, MSW with supervised practice and state licensure for advanced practice, leadership, and clinical positions |
Earn a graduate degree, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass a licensure exam. |
Prepare to Improve the Lives of Others at St. Bonaventure University
The online master’s programs in counseling and social work at St. Bonaventure University Online can equip you for a compassionate career that makes a positive difference for individuals, families and communities. SBU’s Master of Science in Education (MSED) in either Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling, and our Master of Social Work, offer a whole-person education that emphasizes the worth and dignity of all members of society.
With 100% online coursework, small classes and field placement support, these programs make it possible to transform your passion into your career.
Book a call with an enrollment advisor to discuss which degree option is right for you!
