Are you intrigued by the prospect of joining the social work field, but unsure what type of work you’d like to actually do? Don’t worry – many social work students begin their education without having a full picture of what they’d like to achieve in their careers.
The social work profession is full of opportunities to make use of every skill set and area of expertise, allowing you to address the causes you are most passionate about.
There are many jobs you can get with a Master of Social Work degree. What’s important is to be in touch with your specific goals and talents so that you can pursue a career path that is sustainable for you in the long run.
You’ll Find Limitless Career Options with a Master of Social Work
Far from a one-track professional path, there is a whole range of MSW careers that incoming social workers can pursue to make helping those in need their life work. Choosing the one that’s right for you will depend on harnessing your existing skills and talents as well as thinking carefully about the causes that matter most to you.
There are two primary concerns aspiring social workers should think about when determining their career path: job type and focus area.
The order in which you think about these considerations may be different for different people. Some social work students may know what causes they’re most committed to but might feel unsure about what their place should be in the arena that interests them. Others may know which skills they wish to put to use but aren’t sure what branch of the social work profession will suit them.
So what should you take into account as you consider MSW career options?
Social Work Job Type
There are many different job titles for social workers, each associated with particular sets of responsibilities that can vary from one role to the next.
The type of work you wish to perform as a social worker may determine which social work license you pursue, meaning it’s important to find clarity about the career path you want before you start the licensing process.
Below are the two main social work credentials in Texas, which designate the type of work you are eligible to perform.
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Social work jobs that provide essential resources to clients – such as housing, food security, education, and employment opportunities – require you to hold a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) credential. These jobs play a crucial part in creating positive change for those in need, doing the crucial behind-the-scenes work that opens up opportunities for people in need. They can range from administrative roles to case management to policy advocacy work and more.
Job titles for LMSWs include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Case Manager
- Child Welfare Social Worker
- Resource Coordinator
- Organization Administrator
- Organizational Development Consultant
- Legislative Advocate
- Community Organizer
- Public Educator
- Program Director
As you can see from this small sampling of positions, there’s no shortage of opportunities for LMSWs, including leadership roles in social service organizations.
Does this mean you need to pick one role and commit to it for the rest of your career? Certainly not, and it’s even possible to get a new credential (i.e., becoming an LCSW) if you decide you wish to spread your wings in the field of social work completely. But having a strong sense of the type of job you wish to have, as well as a target goal that you can orient your career toward, you will be better suited to make the right decisions to set yourself on the right path.
For more information on how to become an LMSW, take a look at our guide here.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Beyond jobs for LMSWs, there exists an entire category of social work that requires different skills with day to day responsibilities that mark a departure from the roles listed above. The field in question is known as clinical social work, and it encompasses any form of social work that involves direct counseling or therapy services.
In order to practice clinical social work, one must hold a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential, or they will not be eligible to work as a therapist in any capacity within a social work organization. Getting one’s LCSW license requires dedication and hard work, with what normally amounts to an additional two years of supervised field work hours required.
Clinical social workers are employed by every type of social work organization in every employment context, from schools to medical centers to addiction support facilities and more. Their work is chiefly focused on supporting those facing mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues, using a variety of therapeutic modalities to help individuals, families, and groups find strength and a sense of purpose.
Job titles for clinical social workers include (but are not limited to):
- Addiction and Recovery Support Specialist
- Dual Diagnosis Counselor
- HIV/AIDS Counselor
- Hospice and Palliative Care Counselor
- School Therapist
- Trauma Therapist
These are just a few of the job titles for LCSWs in Texas.
For a complete guide to the career opportunities for LCSWs, visit our guide here.
Social Work Focus Areas
In taking a look at the job titles for social workers listed above, you may get a sense of the many different subfields of social work, each one requiring focused attention in order to build the specialized expertise your job will call upon.
Choosing your focus area is the other key decision you will need to make in your MSW program, as it will help you launch the exact career you wish to have.
There are MSW career options in all of the main subfields of the social work profession. You’ll learn about the core approaches and goals of each of these subfields while you are in your Master of Social Work program so that you can make an informed decision about which concentration most speaks to you.
Some of the most popular focus areas for social workers include the following:
- Aging & Gerontology
- Child Welfare
- Criminal Justice & Corrections
- Disaster Relief & Crisis Intervention
- Environmental and Climate Justice
- Healthcare
- Homelessness
- Immigration & Refugee Services
- Hospice & Palliative Care
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Your focus area will be a major determining factor in where you end up working and the communities your services benefit. Some people go into social work because they are compelled to put their efforts toward a particular cause; others need to take their time to get the lay of the land. The important thing is to give careful thought to the topics and causes that will be meaningful and stimulating for you to invest in for the long term.
Where You Work Matters
In your MSW program, you’re likely to spend a good amount of time contemplating which responsibilities you’d like to take on and the general focus area you’d like to pursue as a social worker. Equally important is the type of organization that employs you, as it will define your work environment, schedule, and day to day life.
Social workers can work in any of the following organizations (among many others):
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Community centers
- Criminal justice organizations
- Schools
- Inpatient and outpatient clinics
- Nonprofits
- VA associations and army bases
- Rehabilitation centers
- Elder care facilities
- At-home care facilities
As you imagine your future career, think carefully about what type of environment you find motivating. Some social work jobs are in fast-paced environments catering to many people, and others are in lower-volume settings. You may not have full control over where you get your first employment opportunity, but making a careful decision about the type of workplace that works best for you is another way of investing in a thriving long-term MSW career.
Social Worker Salary Ranges in Texas
As noted above, social workers in different industries can earn different wages. These tend to correspond with whatever organization is employing you as well as the rank of your job.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the following salary data for Texas-based social workers, divided by field. (It is worth noting that this data does not take one’s license level into account, meaning one cannot conclusively determine the salaries of LMSWs vs. LCSWs in Texas.)
Median annual salaries for social workers in Texas:
- Child, family, and school social workers: $49,810
- Healthcare social workers: $62,500
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers: $44,100
- Social workers, all other: $68,500
It’s worth noting that since these numbers reflect median salaries, it is possible to make much more as a social worker in Texas.
Rising through the ranks to take on leadership roles or other specialized positions can be an important factor in arriving at the salary you want.
This is why it’s so important to keep your eyes on the prize so that you can build expertise and be rewarded for it.
The above information is taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 report, accessed February 2024.
FAQs
Do I need an MSW to become a social worker?
Yes. In the state of Texas, one must hold an MSW in order to be eligible for the full responsibilities of a social worker. This is why for anyone interested in joining the social work profession, obtaining a master’s degree is your first step toward the career you want.
Do MSW career paths vary depending on license?
Yes. Upon completing your MSW program, you will be eligible to pursue a Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW) credential, with which you will be eligible for all social work roles outside of clinical practice. Those who wish to perform clinical social work – i.e., providing direct counseling and therapeutic services to individuals and families – will need to pursue their Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential.
Do social worker salaries vary depending on their area of focus?
Yes. The primary factor impacting social work salaries in different focus areas is the place of employment. Beyond government agencies and nonprofits, social workers are employed at medical centers, schools, mental health clinics, army bases, and more, and these organizations all offer different salary structures. Your social work license may also impact your pay – LCSWs, having completed more extensive training, may be eligible for higher-paid positions – as will your position within the organization where you work.
How can I get the best social worker salary possible?
The best way to improve your social worker salary is by working with dedication, rising in the ranks to assume higher-level positions in your field. Social workers with both LMSW and LCSW certification can take on leadership roles after building expertise over years of service. In Texas, motivated social workers can also pursue an LMSW-AP (Advanced Practice) credential, which requires additional effort to obtain but demonstrates a higher level of field expertise, leaving you equipped to accelerate your career trajectory.