Okay I don't mean to be in the alumni hang out spot but I have a question thAT I feel only an alumni can answer. My major is Social Work and I was wondering do any of you know how much a social worker usually makes if they have their bachelors, and how much do they make if they have their masters. I'm asking this because I read somewhere that social workers don't make squat but it was an old article but it gets me nervous so could you please tell me ASAP just in case i am in major need of changing my major.
P.S I'm not all about the money though it seems that way, its just that I wanna make sure my student loans and stuff were worth taking out and won't take me 70 years to pay back
Well I am an alumni so maybe I can help u out a little bit. It's good that u are not in it for the money because social workers don't make a lot. Especially just starting out with a bachelors. Social Workers usually start out making between 19-28k a year. But, if u are lucky enough to work in the school system, u may make more. But no matter what job u get after u graduate, you'll be paying on student loans for the rest of your life! Well, it depends on how much you had to borrow.
Co-signs to the above AND you won't make much more with a MSW. School districts have excellent retirement programs, you will have the same schedule as your children, cuts down on child care costs, and think of the time off. Next best, State or Federal, hospitals, Non Profits don't pay squat. Change your major...lol
I am a recent grad who was a Social Work major and my starting pay was 29+, masters usually start around 32+, it all depends on the agency and also what work experience you may have. You gotta have some good negotiation skills too...
I'm also in Social Work and have my MSW. Two things to consider, your location and what area of social work. I did Clinical Social Work (which requires at MSW) and the starting pay was $36,000 in NC, but in OH it would be about $32,000. If you are talking about social service work (county, government) in NC with a BSW, it was about $29,000 and with a MSW about $38,000. In OH it is between $24,000 - 27,000 and with a MSW about $3200. They also look at experience (work or interns). So think about what you want to do. Do you want to work in a hospital, nursing home, group home, school, child protect services, or economic services (some call DSS/ DFS/ Others). I wish you the best and if you are in either NC or OH, hit me up and I'd be happy to help you out.
