Social worker
Social workers support children, families and adults who face serious difficulties, such as abuse, neglect, poverty, disability, mental illness or addiction.
What can you do with a social work degree?
Also called: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) · Social welfare · Social pedagogy
Updated How we use data
Quick answer
A social work degree prepares you to support children, families and adults facing difficulties such as abuse, poverty, disability, mental illness or addiction. It combines social science, law and policy with supervised placements in real services. Most graduates become social workers, and the skills also lead to work in community services, mental health, youth work, policing and early years education.
Careers with a social work degree
Most social work graduates become social workers. They may work with children and families, older people, people with disabilities, or people with mental health or addiction problems, in local government, health services, charities and courts. The degree also prepares you for related careers, such as youth work, community development, probation and advice work. Some graduates move into policing or early years teaching, or, after further study, into counselling or clinical psychology. Experienced social workers can progress into management, training and policy.
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Clinical psychologist
Clinical psychologists assess and treat mental health problems and emotional difficulties, such as depression, anxiety, trauma and eating disorders, mainly through psychological assessment and talking therapies.
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Police officer
Police officers protect the public, prevent and investigate crime, respond to emergencies and enforce the law.
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Early years teacher
Early years teachers help young children, usually from birth to about five or six, learn and develop through play, talk and structured activities before primary school.
Other roles graduates go into: Probation officer · Youth worker · Family support worker · Community development worker · Substance misuse worker · Housing officer
What you study and the skills you gain
Typical topics
- Social work theory and methods
- Human development across the life course
- Law, policy and social welfare systems
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Mental health and disability
- Social justice, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
- Communication and interviewing skills
- Supervised practice placements
Skills you gain
- Building trust with people in difficult situations
- Assessing risk and needs
- Keeping clear, accurate records
- Working with other professionals, such as police, health and education staff
- Managing stress and setting professional boundaries
- Making balanced decisions and explaining them
How the degree differs around the world
In many countries, including the UK, Australia and much of Europe, a three- or four-year bachelor's degree in social work leads to professional registration or recognition. In the United States and Canada, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) allows entry-level practice, but many roles, especially clinical work, require a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a state or provincial licence. Graduates of other subjects can often qualify through a master's degree, which usually takes two years. All approved programmes include long supervised placements. Social worker is a protected title in many countries, so check with the national regulator.
How do social work graduates do?
Earnings and employment by country
The OECD compares graduates by field of study. This subject falls under “Health and welfare”. The first column compares the median earnings of tertiary-educated adults in this field with all tertiary-educated adults (100 = average).
| Country | Earnings index (all graduates = 100) | Employment rate, this field | Employment rate, all graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovenia | 128 (2020) | 93.3% (2024) | 90.8% |
| Austria | 122 (2023) | 89.3% (2024) | 86.4% |
| Costa Rica | 113 (2023) | 76.3% (2024) | 79.2% |
| Estonia | 110 (2023) | 90.7% (2024) | 89.2% |
| Romania | 107 (2023) | 94.1% (2024) | 91.5% |
| Latvia | 101 (2023) | 92.6% (2024) | 87.7% |
| Mexico | 101 (2023) | 80.6% (2024) | 81.5% |
| Germany | 100 (2020) | 88.8% (2024) | 88.7% |
| Switzerland | 99 (2023) | 90.1% (2024) | 89.5% |
| Sweden | 94 (2023) | 91.6% (2024) | 89.6% |
| Australia | 94 (2020) | 87.7% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Chile | 93 (2023) | 89.3% (2022) | 85.7% |
| Luxembourg | 93 (2023) | 82.3% (2024) | 85.7% |
| Norway | 91 (2023) | 91.0% (2024) | 89.3% |
| Portugal | 90 (2020) | 93.3% (2024) | 90.7% |
| South Korea | 89 (2023) | — | — |
| Canada | 88 (2020) | 80.7% (2021) | 80.4% |
| Finland | 86 (2022) | 91.4% (2024) | 88.8% |
| United Kingdom | 86 (2020) | 81.9% (2021) | 84.6% |
| United States | 85 (2023) | 85.4% (2017) | 84.3% |
| Denmark | 84 (2023) | 88.9% (2021) | 87.8% |
| Croatia | — | 96.0% (2024) | 89.7% |
| Iceland | — | 95.4% (2016) | 93.6% |
| Poland | — | 94.0% (2024) | 91.6% |
| Lithuania | — | 93.7% (2024) | 90.4% |
| Slovakia | — | 93.3% (2024) | 90.5% |
| Netherlands | — | 90.0% (2024) | 90.6% |
| Belgium | — | 89.9% (2024) | 88.5% |
| Italy | — | 89.0% (2024) | 84.7% |
| Ireland | — | 88.8% (2021) | 86.9% |
| France | — | 88.1% (2024) | 87.3% |
| Spain | — | 85.5% (2024) | 83.9% |
| Czechia | — | 83.9% (2024) | 88.4% |
| Hungary | — | 83.6% (2024) | 76.2% |
| Greece | — | 79.4% (2024) | 82.3% |
| Türkiye | — | 78.3% (2016) | 72.9% |
| Peru | — | 76.9% (2024) | 81.7% |
Source: OECD, Education at a Glance. Adults aged 25–64 with tertiary education; latest year available, full-time earners where published. Values are for the whole field of study, not this subject alone.
Graduate earnings in the UK
The UK government links tax records to university records to measure what graduates earn. These figures are for “Social work” first-degree graduates who were employed in the 2023–24 tax year.
| Time since graduating | Median | Lower quartile | Upper quartile | In work or study |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| After 1 year | £32,200 | £26,000 | £35,500 | 93.7% |
| After 3 years | £33,300 | £24,500 | £38,400 | 93.5% |
| After 5 years | £32,900 | £22,700 | £40,300 | 91.4% |
| After 10 years | £36,200 | £23,800 | £45,400 | 88.2% |
Source: UK Department for Education, Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO), tax year 2023–24. Earnings are annual and include only graduates in sustained employment. More UK detail on CourseToJob.co.uk
Is a social work degree right for you?
It may suit you if
- You want to help people change their lives, even when progress is slow.
- You can stay calm and fair in tense or emotional situations.
- You are interested in how poverty, law and society affect people's lives.
Think twice if
- You find it hard to leave upsetting situations behind at the end of the day.
- You dislike paperwork, as records and reports are a big part of the job.
- You want to be liked by everyone you work with, since social workers sometimes have to make unwelcome decisions.
Further study
Many social workers take post-qualifying courses in areas such as child protection, mental health or leadership. In the United States and Canada, a Master of Social Work is often needed for clinical and senior roles. Graduates of other subjects can take a master's degree to qualify as social workers. A PhD leads to research and university teaching, and some social workers train further as counsellors, therapists or psychologists.
Questions about studying social work
What jobs can you get with a social work degree?
Most graduates work as social workers with children and families, adults, older people or people with mental health problems. Other jobs include youth worker, probation officer, family support worker, community development worker and advice worker. Some graduates move into policing, early years education, counselling or, after further study, clinical psychology.
Is social work a good career?
Social work can be very meaningful, and qualified social workers are needed in many countries. However, the job is emotionally demanding, caseloads can be heavy, and it often involves difficult decisions and public criticism. Good supervision, a supportive team and clear boundaries help social workers stay in the profession and progress.
Can I become a social worker with a different degree?
Yes, in many countries. Graduates of subjects such as psychology, sociology or criminology can usually take a master's degree in social work, often lasting two years. In the United States and Canada, a Master of Social Work is a common route for career changers. Paid or volunteer experience in care, youth work or support services will strengthen your application.
Do social workers need a licence?
In many countries, yes. Social worker is often a protected title, and you must complete an approved degree and register with a regulator before you can practise. In the United States, licensing is managed by each state, and the rules differ for different levels of practice. Requirements vary widely between countries, so check with the national regulator or professional body.
Related subjects
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Psychology
A psychology degree is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour: how people think, feel, learn, develop and relate to each other.
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Sociology
A sociology degree studies how societies work: how groups, institutions and cultures shape people's lives, and why inequality, crime, migration and social change happen.
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Criminology
A criminology degree studies crime, why people commit it and how societies respond through policing, courts, prisons and prevention.
Sources
- OECD — Education at a Glance, labour-market outcomes — Earnings and employment by field of study, adults 25–64
- UK Department for Education — Graduate labour market outcomes (LEO) — CAH CAH15-04-01 — Social work
- UNESCO — ISCED-F 2013 — ISCED-F 0923
How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). What can you do with a social work degree? Jobs and salaries. https://coursetojob.com/subjects/social-work/ (accessed September 26, 2026)