Sun-kissed El Paso, Texas is home to around 680,000 people, nearly 83% of whom are Hispanic. This dry desert city is located on the Rio Grande, and stands right across from Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
El Paso has a fascinating history, spanning the legendary days of the Wild West and, some claim, the very first Thanksgiving. Today, El Paso is currently considered the boot-making capital of the world.
Social Work in the City of El Paso, Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent between 2022 and 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.”
From organizations like Opportunity Center for the Homeless to Emergence Health Network, social workers in the Sun City offer holistic support to individuals and families dealing with housing instability, mental health crises, bullying, immigration, and so much more. Additionally, El Paso’s proximity to Fort Bliss, one of the largest military installations in the United States, underscores the importance of veteran support services, with over 35,000 active-duty service members and a significant veteran population. In this dynamic city, social workers embody resilience and compassion, bridging gaps and fostering thriving communities.
Social Work in the El Paso School System
Within educational settings, social workers serve as advocates for marginalized youth, striving to amplify their voices and uphold their rights in schools.
In a city known for its diverse student population and unique cultural dynamics, social workers in El Paso schools address a wide range of needs, from academic struggles and behavioral challenges to issues that stem from a child’s environment at home.
School social workers work closely with teachers, administrators, and community organizations to create a nurturing, inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive. Through individual counseling, group interventions, and crisis intervention services, school social workers provide vital emotional and behavioral support to students, helping them navigate life’s challenges and develop resilience.
Additionally, social workers in El Paso schools are instrumental in connecting families with community resources, such as mental health services, housing assistance, and food support programs, ensuring that students have the resources they need to succeed academically and personally.
VA Social Workers in El Paso, TX
The Biggs Army Airfield, Fort Bliss, and the William Beaumont Army Medical Center are all located in El Paso, employing more than 41,000 residents and giving the city a distinct sense of military identity and pride.
Social workers in El Paso offer a vital support system to veterans, providing tailored assistance and resources to address their unique needs, ranging from mental health care to housing, substance abuse treatment, and employment.
Understanding the challenges veterans face upon returning home, social workers in El Paso collaborate closely with local VA facilities, community organizations, and government agencies to ensure veterans have access to comprehensive services. This includes facilitating mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, housing assistance, and employment support.
Social workers who serve veterans in El Paso can work within VA facilities, hospitals, government agencies, homeless shelters, and other organizations to help veterans cope with the aftermath of military service, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Veteran social workers can offer individual and group therapy sessions, and some are able to offer more specialized forms of trauma therapy and treatment such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Additionally, social workers in El Paso are keenly aware of the significant Hispanic veteran population in the area and are equipped to provide culturally competent care and language services when necessary.
Being a Police Social Worker in El Paso
Situated in a city known for its rich cultural diversity and unique border dynamics, police social workers in El Paso are likely to navigate complex social issues.
Police social workers are employed by law enforcement agencies to address a range of challenges, from mental health crises and substance abuse issues to homelessness and domestic violence situations. With a spirit of empathy and compassion, police social workers can act as liaisons between law enforcement and social service agencies, bridging gaps in understanding to help people in need access vital resources.
Using skills like conflict resolution, counseling, advocacy, and fostering accessibility, social workers can be trustworthy lifelines for individuals in crisis, promoting their long-term stability and diffusing tension.
How To Become a Social Worker in El Paso, TX
What does it take to build a career as a social worker in El Paso? While it isn’t always necessary to get an MSW (Master’s in Social Work), this degree is your best approach to landing a steady, fairly-compensated job in the field that speaks to you.
Beyond an MSW, you also have the opportunity to apply for licensure, becoming an LMSW (licensed master of social work) or an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker). While these degrees are not always essential to employment, becoming an LCSW in El Paso enables you to work within clinical settings and sometimes to offer additional services, such as diagnoses.
The work of attaining an LCSW is likely to include mandatory fieldwork, in which you will learn important professional skills under a supervisor. Equipped with over 1,000 hours of professional experience – and likely even more due to field work completed during your master’s program in social work – you’ll set up for success in the field of your choice.
Getting an MSW in El Paso
Texas is home to a number of universities and colleges that offer impressive MSW programs, including the University of Texas at Austin and the University of North Texas.
Still, if you’re looking for an MSW in El Paso, your best option is likely at the University of Texas at El Paso. This program is unique among MSW programs in the entire United States, as it is the only one that offers a “Social Work on the Border” focus. This specialty would be especially useful to aspiring social workers who are seeking to provide support in ways that are adjacent to the US-Mexico border, such as immigration, corrections, healthcare, and advocacy.
El Paso Community College also offers an Associate of Applied Science in Social Work, but it is important to emphasize that this is not the same as an MSW (Master’s in Social Work). Some positions may require an MSW for application or licensure, but some MSW programs may require a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in social work before applying.
As such, it would be useful to do some research into your desired field in social work before pursuing this degree. Could an Associate degree from EPCC help as a step along the way to attaining an MSW? Or, based on the jobs you’re looking for, could an Associate’s degree suffice?
Social Work Internships in El Paso, TX
Social work internships in El Paso, TX offer invaluable opportunities for aspiring social workers to gain hands-on experience and make meaningful contributions to the community.
With a diverse population and a wide array of social issues to address, internships in El Paso provide a dynamic learning environment. Students may have the chance to work alongside seasoned professionals in various settings, including schools, healthcare facilities, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. Whether assisting with case management, conducting assessments, facilitating support groups, or advocating for clients’ rights, interns in El Paso engage in real-world scenarios that deepen their understanding of social work principles and practices.
Additionally, El Paso’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border offers unique opportunities to explore issues related to immigration, cultural diversity, and cross-border dynamics. Through these internships, students not only hone their clinical skills but also develop a profound sense of cultural competency and social justice, preparing them for impactful careers.
Social Worker Salaries in El Paso
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a wide range in salaries for social workers, with employees in this field earning anywhere from $32,730 to $97,280 annually. In El Paso, salaries for social workers span from less than $30,000 annually to nearly $100,000. The average annual salary across all sectors in El Paso is $44,250.
The table below offers a glimpse into the range of salaries—from the bottom 10% of earners to the top 10% of earners—available to social workers in El Paso across four categories. The final category, “Social Workers (All Other),” is broad enough that it may include such diverse positions as community organizers, homeless shelter workers, corrections social workers, grant writers, and crisis hotline counselors.
Social Work Specialty | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $31,220 | $37,040 | $46,810 | $54,850 | $60,630 |
Healthcare Social Workers | $29,900 | $41,150 | $51,030 | $63,200 | $79,000 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $29,830 | $38,730 | $38,730 | $43,570 | $47,180 |
Social Workers (All Other) | $38,050 | $66,210 | $79,440 | $89,940 | $95,220 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for the El Paso metropolitan area.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, and social workers (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2024.