Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Child, family, and school social workers focus on supporting children and families through social and educational challenges. National employment stands at 400,000, indicating a sizable workforce and a well-established career path. With a national median annual salary of $58,570 and projected employment growth of 3.4%, this field offers a combination of stability and ongoing opportunities. About 35,000 annual openings suggest regular chances for both new entrants and experienced professionals to find roles. The work draws heavily on interpersonal abilities, communication, problem solving, and adaptability, so it can be a good fit for people who like working closely with others and navigating complex situations. Related occupations, such as mental health and substance abuse social workers, healthcare social workers, and community and social service specialists, provide additional pathways for those interested in social services. Overall, this career can appeal to students, career changers, and professionals seeking people-centered, purposeful work.
The national median annual salary for child, family, and school social workers is $58,570, forming a baseline for evaluating earning potential. Several states exceed this national median. Massachusetts and Washington stand out with median salaries of $75,570 and $74,480, while California and New York are at $65,200 and $65,100. Colorado’s median of $63,720 is also above the national figure. At the metro level, compensation can be even higher. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $87,600, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH reports $77,420. The Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV area has a median of $75,550, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reaches $72,020. These numbers show that location can significantly influence earnings within this occupation, and job seekers may want to compare state and metro-level medians to the national median when planning their careers.
Child, family, and school social workers have national employment of 400,000, indicating a large existing workforce. Projected employment growth of 3.4% points to an expectation of continued demand rather than a shrinking field. The 35,000 annual openings highlight that positions regularly become available, which can come from a mix of new jobs and turnover. This combination of a substantial employment base, steady projected growth, and recurring openings suggests that people entering or advancing in this field can anticipate ongoing possibilities to find roles across regions and settings. Because the growth rate is the same 3.4% figure reported for leading states and metro areas, job seekers may see fairly consistent growth expectations in both national and local markets. Overall, the employment outlook reflects a stable profession with continuing opportunities for students, early-career professionals, and career changers.
Geography plays a clear role in opportunity for child, family, and school social workers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York all rank highly by opportunity score, at 67.38, 65.87, and 65.78. Massachusetts and Washington offer higher median salaries, at $75,570 and $74,480, compared with California’s $65,200 and New York’s $65,100, while California has the largest employment level at 60,310. Colorado combines a median salary of $63,720 with an opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ lead by opportunity score, at 77.42 and 77.27. San Jose stands out for its $87,600 median salary, the highest listed. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV also show strong salaries and opportunity scores. These differences suggest that both state and metro choices can meaningfully shape job prospects and earning potential.
The typical education for child, family, and school social workers is a bachelor’s degree. This requirement provides a structured entry point for students planning their education path and for career changers considering returning to school. Within this field, success depends on a broad mix of skills. Strong customer service and interpersonal abilities support everyday interactions with children, families, and other stakeholders. Speaking and listening, along with writing and reading, are core communication skills. Problem solving, decision making, and critical and analytical thinking help in addressing complex situations. Creativity and innovation, leadership, adaptability, and comfort with computers and information technology round out the profile. Together, these skills align with the people-focused and information-intensive nature of the work. Prospective workers can use this skill set as a guide when selecting academic programs, volunteer experiences, or prior jobs that build the competencies most relevant to this career.
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