what is a social worker

A social worker is a trained professional who helps vulnerable people and communities work through challenges they face in their everyday lives. Social workers seek to improve the lives of others by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships, and solve personal and family problems. They provide direct counseling to families and communities, advocate on their behalf to community organizations or other health professionals, or help guide clients through the legal system by providing testimony or assistance during court hearings. Social workers work in a variety of settings, including child welfare and human service agencies, healthcare providers, schools, and rehabilitation centers. They work with a wide variety of populations, including children and adolescents, individuals with disabilities, individuals who are experiencing poverty or homelessness, medical patients, LGBTQ individuals, individuals suffering from addiction, students, individuals with mental health concerns, refugees and immigrants, aging individuals, couples and families, victims of violence or trauma, individuals who are incarcerated or in the criminal justice system, and veterans. Social workers are creative problem solvers who advocate for social and economic justice. They help people cope with the challenges of a complex, rapidly changing world. To become a social worker, one typically needs a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, and specific requirements for licensure vary by state. The median annual wage for social workers was $55,350 in May 2022, and overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.