The LCSW in California is one of the best professional licenses. LCSW in federal and state government can make $90,000. LCSWs can make more than psychologists, MFT's, RN, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and other professions. LCSW can provide a stable and lucrative career!

after reading the comments posted i found myself asking, all of these social workers with questions, why have none of them turned to the largest professional organization of Social Workers, NASW the national association of social workers? there are chapters in all 50 states!

Social work is a wonderful profession with many rewards. However, anyone that is looking to make a lucrative career of it will fail. That is not to say that one cannot make a good living doing this work, but if one's focus is heavily in this direction chances are they will most likely be disappointed. Similar to teachers, if salary was a primary draw to this career. It would attract the wrong people.

For those of you who are saying this is a lucrative career based on the time and money put in, I am wondering what part of the country and what types of facilities you work in that provide this compensation? I am looking for work that is more treatment based (less like hospital work where you would only be in charge of in-take and diagnosis where follow-up care is provided by PhD, MD, etc.). Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

LCSW in the Mid-South region can average from $35k-$80k. It depends on the agency (non-profit vs. for profit).

I have a bachelors degree in criminal justice and would like to become a lcsw. I am trying to find out my options.

LCSW can be very lucrative. The common perception is that they get paid very little. I am happy that they think that because it is job security. LCSWs that I know get paid very well. Here in California, LCSWs make more than many professions. For consultant work as an LCSW, I get paid 65 dollars an hour. I also work for the state and make $90,000 a year. I just received my license less than a year ago. LCSW is the best field for the money you put into grad school.

Hi Friends,

I received my MSW in 2000 and began working as a therapist in the mental health field. Three years later, I clocked 3200 supervision hours and was eligible to sit for the LCSW-LISW exam in the state I reside(New Mexico). I passed on the first try but the exam is very difficult.

As a LMSW out of graduate school I made about 30K per year and now I make about 55K

I live comfortably within my means and am able to chip away at student loans. My standard of living has not increased much since grad school so this is not the profession for you if you want material wealth.

Emotional, Spiritual, and the currency of love however is there in abundance.

I have a BSW. I have not worked in the field since 1987. I would love to get back in to it? What would be the best way? I am open to all ideas. I am currently unemployed.

I am set to graduate in May with my BSW this year. I will immediately start a one year program to earn my MSW. I live in NC and there are a lot of opportunities for social workers, I look on various online job websites and in the newspaper, with the economy people really need the services we provide. I believe that anyone who is graduating with me in May with a BSW will be okay with finding a decent job.

When it comes to salary, you have to think about your focus. Do you want a career where you will earn a lot of money? If so, look away from social work, it is not a "recognized" career in a lot of cases. Many people don't see the significance of having a social worker or the job a social worker has but we are desperately needed. Though jobs are scarce, I have been told by my academic advisor that the social work field has remained steady and that you will be able to find a job, maybe not your chosen one, with a BSW but if you are looking to make more money and have more job opportunities, it is best to continue your education which is what I plan to do.

I am an intern at a transitional housing facility in my state, I recently interned on the macro level for an agency centered around community organization. The opportunities are there, you just have to find them. To find an internship, visit your campus career center. Internships are not ideal but they *will* get your foot in the door. My current internship has offered me a job that I would happily take if I weren't continuing my education. In the long run, that is what is best for me and for my future clients.

Also how much money you make depends on where you live. For current salary information I suggest the Occupational Outlook Handbook, look it up online.

I aspire to be a school social worker and will make about $50-60,000 a year which is pretty good if you ask me and I will survive off of my MSW. I know that starting out it will be a little less weary but in the end it is definitely worth it in my opinion.

Let's be real here, medical social workers will make more money, as do most health related fields, than say a school social worker, who, depending on where you live, is seen as a teacher and/or counselor. Look up the information!

Social workers are privileged, we are needed and its something you have to decide whether or not you want to make it your life even when no one is looking, are you still going to do the right thing? And its never too late.

I am a 60 year old physician who has not practiced in 5 years because of multiple medical problems which prevent me from getting around easily in an exam room (bending, stooping, standing, etc.). I've also been fighting depression related to loss of my ability to practice. I've been thinking lately of trying to become a therapist, something I think I'd be good at after years of listening to patients and their problems. Would I want to look into LICSW programs or are there other ways to enter the field. (I already have a Ph.D. in research and don't want to do another dissertation.)

The best place to get your questions answered is the website of the National Association of Social Workers.

Whomever asked if its "too late", I am 48, mother of 4, grandmother of 1 and completing my BSW and will then start my MSW at Indiana University in Indianapolis (IUPUI)--its never TOO LATE to help others.

Whomever asked about pay--I'm currently getting by on next to nothing without my degree....so I'll be happy to get what I can WITH my degree-----BSW's in the 30's , Masters in the 40's and LCSW (Licensed Clinical figures on up)

Good luck everyone!

In Massachusetts, an LCSW and an LICSW are not the same thing but the terms are being used interchangeably. In MA, you may become an LCSW immediately out of grad school with your MSW. An LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) is obtained after what I believe is 3500 or 3800-ish documented supervised hours. These are two different exams/credentials.

I have recently decided that I would like to be a Social Worker. What are some good schools to look into for this line of work?

I don't believe it is all over for you. I know for the state of CT you have to have had so many supervision hours under someone who has an LCSW before being qualified to take the exam. It would be easier to find a job were you could easily be able to obtain supervision for free. The place I am going for an interview has a supervisor with an LCSW that would prepare me to be able to take the exam but I first need to be hired. Hopes this info helps

I pay my LCSW $150 per 45 minute session. In my eyes that adds up to a whole lot of money by years end.

Well now that I am old and I got my daughter through college on just being an MSW, is there any hope that I can finally get my LCSW or did I blow it???

I just received my MSW at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. I thought it would have been easy to find jobs but most jobs want individuals with experience. I have been a case manager for 3+ years. I do want to gain more clinical skills and obtain my LCSW. But how do I do this if I can't even find a position that will assist me with this process? Anyone live in the CT area that knows of agencies hiring. Please let me know!!!

I am an undergraduate student and I have an AA in Social Work but I am currently finishing my BA in Sociology. I was just wondering how and where do I start to look for internships to hopefully get my foot in the door for a career in Social work?? Anyone has suggestions?? Also I was wondering, are there any entry level positions open to a person who has an AA in Social Work and will have a BA in Sociology!! Thanks

I have done my Masters in Counseling Psychology from India and now living in California. I am interested in the helping relationship. What is the procedure to get one licensed so that i can get an entry level job in the mental health field or in the community?

I have a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Every job I am interested in requires an MSW. What additional education do I need to get those 3 letters after my name? I have been extremely frustrated because the positions are quite parallel. I've worked as a Casemanager for a County Dept., and as a Program Manager for a residential provider for developmentally disabled adults. I'd love to get into the school system or a hospital setting; preferably a school setting. Any ideas? Thanks!!

Posted by: Anonymous

I recently graduated with my BA in Social Work. I can't seem to find a job that will allow me to utilize my skills. I'm tired of having a job but I want a career I want to put my degree to use...Does anyone in the Sacramento area have any advice for me about where to find a career in my field?

i work for LA county, and am trying to find a direction to go in the Mental Health field. LCSW sounds more like what i want to do specially after reading this page. my question is, how long should i expect this to take approximately? what else can i do with LCSW certification? what should i look for in a college that can offer me the best education in LCSW? anyone know of a good college in the Los Angeles area?

I recently graduated with my BA in Social Work. I can't seem to find a job that will allow me to utilize my skills. I'm tired of having a job but I want a career I want to put my degree to use...Does anyone in the Sacramento area have any advice for me about where to find a career in my field.

Hey... I have a question... my current major is Child and Adolescent Development and I talked to my advisor and she said I can minor in Social worker or change my major completely to that to become LCSW... so I was wondering what degree do I need to become a LCSW and what kind of jobs are there and what are there professions? I really want to work with kids but not as a teacher or a nurse.

I recently graduated with my BA in Human Services and am currently working as a case manager for an EAP. I love working in the helping profession but my overall goal is to be a professor in this field. I want to get my Master's degree but am unsure if I should get it in counseling, social work, or maybe even psychology. I am not opposed to working as an MFT or LCSW to gain field experience and maybe even to do in addition to teaching. Still, the decision of what Master's degree to get is a difficult one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

I am a Medical Social Worker in Santa Clara County. My yearly income (after 2 years of work experience) was 70k last year. That includes on-call time which adds approximately 12k a year. Raise at my hospital are approximately 3-4% about $1/hr a year.

It varies by state. To give you an example, I'm a social worker for California, LA County DCFS (CPS) and they pay me $75,000 a year and I've been there for 5 years. Right now, I think the max is $80,000 or so, but the union is always negotiating, so it can change. You have mileage money too and overtime to consider, also the pension plan and 401K matching are pretty good. The supervisors make a little bit more of course.

My friend is a school social worker and her pay scale is the same as a school psychologist, starting at $60,000 with pretty good raises, and they can go up to near six figures, especially if they work the year round schools with no huge summer vacation gaps. While in grad school, my internship supervisor who had an LCSW at a school site told me she made over $100,000.

My friend who is employed with a Foster Family Agency has a low income, she was complaining of finally reaching $50,000 or so but have been there for five years.

I heard medical social workers also make roughly that same amount. But you have to consider raises, starting pays might be low but it can go up, especially if you become a supervisor, do discharge planning instead, have overtime, etc.

If you have an LCSW and have your own private practice, you can charge like $150 per 50 min. session.

So, there are a lot of possibilties with this degree. You aren't going to be making megabucks but it can be pretty good.

And to answer the question of having an MSW from a non-accredited school, I don't think any state will allow you to take the LCSW exam. That exam has strict requirements and not that easy to pass in the first place. In California, about 6 out of 10 pass and for repeat takers, the stats just get worse.

I have a MSW from a non accredited school my state will not allow me to take the LCSW exam because of this. I have been in the field since 1982 from case manager to department supervisor at a community mental health center. Currently I am a school manager what should I do? Is there any state that will let me take the exam or do I start over.

I'm 26 with a BA in Sociology, and I hope to become a social worker someday, then maybe a LCSW too. I'm currently working on my MA in Psychology.

I just wanted to remind you that, like teachers, what you do has to be more important to you than how much you make or this may not be the right career for you. Currently $50k isn't so bad, but if you're looking for more money ASAP, you might want to change your focus. Or supplement your degree in Social Work with another one in Business Managment or Clinical Psychology. I worked for a large Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA, and most LCSWs were part-time and their income ranged from $20-40/hr (all with 5+ years' experience). I hear private-practice psychologists make a lot more.

Good luck!

I am an undergraduate student in a Social Work program. My goal is to one day become a LCSW; however,most everything I read about the field says that even after becoming a LCSW annual salary is still not that great. Is this entirely true? With all my time, investment, and hard work in school I would like the rewards of a decent paying (above 50,000) job. I have heard that with time in ones own practice a LCSW can make pretty good money. But how long would this take, and how much is "prety good money." Could you notify me with any current information regarding the annual salary of Licensed Clinical Social Workers and any other information regarding this topic?