Healthcare Social Workers

Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses. Services include advising family caregivers. Provide patients with information and counseling, and make referrals for other services. May also provide case and care management or interventions designed to promote health, prevent disease, and address barriers to access to healthcare.

$61,330

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

+6% projected 2024–2034

What They Do

Healthcare social workers help patients and families navigate the emotional and practical challenges that come with medical conditions. They work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, hospice centers, and rehabilitation facilities, meeting with patients who face acute injuries, chronic illnesses, mental health crises, or terminal diagnoses. A typical day might include counseling a new cancer patient struggling with their diagnosis, helping an elderly patient arrange in-home care after discharge, or connecting an uninsured family with community resources for medication assistance.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Social Work(doctoral)New York University, NY

Social Work(doctoral)Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ

Social Work(doctoral)University of Pennsylvania, PA

Social Work(doctoral)Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, LA

Social Work(doctoral)Howard University, DC

Social Work(doctoral)CUNY Graduate School and University Center, NY

Social Work(doctoral)Jackson State University, MS

Social Work(doctoral)Fordham University, NY

Social Work(doctoral)Indiana University-Indianapolis, IN

Social Work(doctoral)Florida International University, FL

Social Work(doctoral)Clark Atlanta University, GA

Social Work(doctoral)Barry University, FL

Social Work(doctoral)Adelphi University, NY

Social Work(doctoral)Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CO

Social Work(doctoral)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ

Social Work(doctoral)Case Western Reserve University, OH

Social Work(doctoral)California Baptist University, CA

Social Work(doctoral)Columbia University in the City of New York, NY

Social Work(doctoral)Boston College, MA

Social Work(doctoral)Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, FL

Social Work(doctoral)Aurora University, IL

Social Work(doctoral)Baylor University, TX

Social Work(doctoral)Boston University, MA

Social Work(doctoral)Bryn Mawr College, PA

Social Work(doctoral)Florida State University, FL

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