Working Conditions and Earnings

Full-time social workers usually work a standard 40-hour week; however, some occasionally work evenings and weekends to meet with clients, attend community meetings and handle emergencies. Some, particularly in voluntary nonprofit agencies, work part-time. Social workers usually spend most of their time in an office or residential facility, but may also travel locally to visit clients, meet with service providers or attend meetings. Some may use one of several offices within a local area in which to meet with clients. The work, while satisfying, can be emotionally draining. Understaffing and large caseloads add to the pressure in some agencies. To tend to patient care or client needs, many hospitals and long-term care facilities are employing social workers on teams with a broad mix of occupations — including clinical specialists, registered nurses, and health aides.

Median annual earnings of child, family, and school social workers were $33,150 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,310 and $42,940. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,270, and the top 10 percent earned more than $54,250. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of child, family, and school social workers in 2002 were:

 

Elementary and secondary schools	$44,100
Local government	38,140
State government	34,000
Individual and family services	29,150
Other residential care facilities	28,470

 

Median annual earnings of medical and public health social workers were $37,380 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,700 and $46,540. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,840, and the top 10 percent earned more than $56,320. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of medical and public health social workers in 2002 were:

 

General medical and surgical hospitals	$42,730
Local government	37,620
State government	35,250
Nursing care facilities	33,330
Individual and family services	31,000

 

Median annual earnings of mental health and substance abuse social workers were $32,850 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,940 and $42,160. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,050, and the top 10 percent earned more than $52,240. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of mental health and substance abuse social workers in 2002 were:

 

State government	$38,430
Local government	35,700
Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals	34,610
Outpatient care centers	31,370
Individual and family services	31,300

(From: http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp.)

 

11 In pairs discuss the challenges provided by the text you have just read and think what could be done to improve the situation.

 

12 What do you know about working conditions and earnings of social workers in Russia? Speak about the main problems that social workers come across in our country. In groups of four make a plan of your ideas and develop some strategies on how to improve the situation. Be ready to present your opinion in class.