I'm a recent graduate as well! My starting salary is $70k and I work in a hospital. I didn't negotiate my salary because I thought it was well over what the starting is at other hospitals. I agree that it is important to get licensed.
I recently graduated in May with my MSSW and became licensed in July. The salary for my first job offer was $45K and after working there for 3 months, I received another job offer near $60K. The money is there..like you stated..we may have to move around to get the increase. But, I am thankful for the increase considering I'm a new grad. I almost changed majors because people were saying social workers cant make a good living. I have bills and I need to eat! :) Are you going to get our clinical license?
Social Work In Action that's good!!! It took me five years of being in the field and two years after graduation with my Master's to reach those numbers! And yes I do plan on getting my clinical license. One of my co-workers at my new job is able to supervise me.
Thank You so much for this! I have never worked in the social work field. I got my bachelor's then my master's in social work then got hired at hospital as an assistant until I got licensed. I recently got licensed and now we're in negotiations with it looking like 40k before taxes. I was feeling a bit like they're trying to play me, but I don't really have any experience especially in hospital social work all I've ever done was nonprofit social service agencies. I take that into consideration with that, now. It's my first social work job just a stepping stone to learn better and do better.
It's was nice to view a video without all the fluff and in such a laid back manner. My question is do you think the more higher paying social work jobs are on the macro level? I find I am torn between macro and micro levels and wonder if I could do a little of each? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you so much and keep making videos~
@wandasiekkinen8047 thank you for watching! I think it depends on a lot of factors, location, area of social work, degree/license level and experience. Different states pay more, NC vs SC, for example, has a major difference in pay at CPS for entry level SWs with NC paying higher. But, SC recently had a pay increase a few years ago for that field of SW. Nonprofits tend to pay less for micro level SW from my experience but, having the mezzo/macro positions in nonprofits paid more. I've made the most money working for a hospital system and now I'm making even more in private practice, I've never held a macro position but I've seen some listed in my state (SC) that were significantly higher than micro. I know I'm all over the place but it really does just depend! I hope this is helpful.
Starting my MSW program on September 3rd. I’m from NYC and i would literally drown with 19,000. My rent a month is almost 2k. NYC has a great job market but it’s literally soooooo expensive to just EXIST & breathe here 🤣😩
In Rhode Island, where I live AND the cost of living is quite high... My first BSW part-time job was a measly 12 dollars an hour in 2014. My first full-time position was 31000, but with lots of overtime. My take home was about 35000. My first MSW salary was 38500 in 2016. Almost 2 years later and I'm at 44000. None of these numbers are wonderful, but it's more about the cost of living here than anything else. I think an important thing to talk about is benefits too...I've turned down several jobs because the cost of health benefits, lack of paid time off, no perks etc... My current job offered me slightly less than other offers I got, but paid for my license, offers supervision, the health care costs are low and the coverage is good. And plenty of free paid training worth CEUs. This all adds up to invaluable to my career. It's not what I want to do forever, but I think it's a good place to be
It's funny...for a state with so many social workers and a very liberal, progressive culture, we don't pay social workers very well. But, there's tons of jobs. Actually my agency just attracted someone from...I want to say Mississippi, because the MSW jobs out there paid so little. She didn't realize how expensive it was to live here though. Either way, I love the field and supplement my income with two part-time jobs on top of it, one doing fee-for-service outpatient with children and another teaching as an adjunct professor. Put in work while you're young!
Hi, im currently in an MSW part time program, and I work in banking full time. I recently received an offer to work for children services in my area, but I didnt go for the interview because the starting salary was over 10k less than what I make now. I really want to start getting experience working in the social service field while im in school, but I cannot afford to take such a huge pay cut. what would you recommend to someone going to school for social work, but have no experience in the field like myself??
Did you go right into your masters program? I will be graduating in the spring of 2018 with my BSW and I am debating on going right into my masters program or finding a job first to get some experience. What would you recommend?
Hi! I did not go right into my masters program. I planned to take a year off but ended up taking two years off after my undergrad degree because of life issues. They say that you should go straight into the masters after the bachelors because you might get complacent with not being in school but the two years off didn't deter me...I guess it just depends on the person. If you can get experience then go back to school that's great, if you can work while in school for your masters, that's even better. You just have to go with what works best for you. My personal opinion is to go ahead and go straight for the masters and work while doing so if you can.
I recently passed the licensure exam for masters social work. I'm now updating my resume, which way should a resume read with the new credentials? (name), MSW, LSW or (name), LMSW. Also did you get a mentor at any point in your social work career?
Hi, Jason! Congratulations on passing your exam! I've seen people put their name and both (example: Ashley Harp, MSW, LMSW) but, to me, it's kind of redundant. It should be understood that if you have an "L" that you have the master's in social work so to put "MSW, LMSW" is repetitive. I use Ashley Harp, LMSW because the credential is inclusive of both. I can't say that I have a specific mentor in social work but I have learned a lot from a few colleagues that I look up to and respect. My experience has been that, when I started out, the people I thought would be mentors were not friendly or open to help as much as I thought they would be so I haven't found anybody that I would call my mentor yet but I think it is good to have one.
Hi, it really depends on where you are and what the market averages for where you live. I would suggest that you do some research and look at what the pay is in your state for that position with that credential. Glassdoor is a good website to look and see what your pay should be.
I will be attending grad school in the Fall. my question is once I finish my studies and I begin to prepare to become licenced in the current state that I'm living. will I be able to practice in another state with my licenced due to my plans are to move down south. your insight would be appreciated
Kaity, hi, thanks for watching! Yes, you should be able to transfer your license to another state that has reciprocity with the current state that you are in. You may have to pay some fees in order to do so. I would definitely call the Board in your state and the state you plan to transfer to and find out for sure if you can transfer and what the process is to do so.
Day to Day Social Work thank you so much for your quick reaponse :) I can say watching you videos are very informative. it actually put me at ease inreguards to the exam. when that time comes I will be in contact for tutoring
I'm a recent graduate as well! My starting salary is $70k and I work in a hospital. I didn't negotiate my salary because I thought it was well over what the starting is at other hospitals. I agree that it is important to get licensed.
herro helen wow! That is great! Yes, that seems to be well over starting for licensed social worker at a hospital! What state are you in?
I live in Honolulu, Hawaii!
figuresssss🤔
I recently graduated in May with my MSSW and became licensed in July. The salary for my first job offer was $45K and after working there for 3 months, I received another job offer near $60K. The money is there..like you stated..we may have to move around to get the increase. But, I am thankful for the increase considering I'm a new grad. I almost changed majors because people were saying social workers cant make a good living. I have bills and I need to eat! :) Are you going to get our clinical license?
Social Work In Action that's good!!! It took me five years of being in the field and two years after graduation with my Master's to reach those numbers! And yes I do plan on getting my clinical license. One of my co-workers at my new job is able to supervise me.
Good for you! I'm probably going to start supervision after the new year.
Thank You so much for this! I have never worked in the social work field. I got my bachelor's then my master's in social work then got hired at hospital as an assistant until I got licensed. I recently got licensed and now we're in negotiations with it looking like 40k before taxes. I was feeling a bit like they're trying to play me, but I don't really have any experience especially in hospital social work all I've ever done was nonprofit social service agencies. I take that into consideration with that, now. It's my first social work job just a stepping stone to learn better and do better.
It's was nice to view a video without all the fluff and in such a laid back manner. My question is do you think the more higher paying social work jobs are on the macro level? I find I am torn between macro and micro levels and wonder if I could do a little of each? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Thank you so much and keep making videos~
@wandasiekkinen8047 thank you for watching! I think it depends on a lot of factors, location, area of social work, degree/license level and experience. Different states pay more, NC vs SC, for example, has a major difference in pay at CPS for entry level SWs with NC paying higher. But, SC recently had a pay increase a few years ago for that field of SW. Nonprofits tend to pay less for micro level SW from my experience but, having the mezzo/macro positions in nonprofits paid more. I've made the most money working for a hospital system and now I'm making even more in private practice, I've never held a macro position but I've seen some listed in my state (SC) that were significantly higher than micro. I know I'm all over the place but it really does just depend! I hope this is helpful.
@@DaytoDaySocialWork thank you so much for taking time out to reply! you've taught me so much already! : D
Starting my MSW program on September 3rd. I’m from NYC and i would literally drown with 19,000. My rent a month is almost 2k. NYC has a great job market but it’s literally soooooo expensive to just EXIST & breathe here 🤣😩
I've heard! I couldn't imagine paying $2k for rent! I'm at a way better pay rate now lol! A little over 3 times more than what I started with.
In Rhode Island, where I live AND the cost of living is quite high...
My first BSW part-time job was a measly 12 dollars an hour in 2014.
My first full-time position was 31000, but with lots of overtime. My take home was about 35000.
My first MSW salary was 38500 in 2016. Almost 2 years later and I'm at 44000.
None of these numbers are wonderful, but it's more about the cost of living here than anything else.
I think an important thing to talk about is benefits too...I've turned down several jobs because the cost of health benefits, lack of paid time off, no perks etc...
My current job offered me slightly less than other offers I got, but paid for my license, offers supervision, the health care costs are low and the coverage is good. And plenty of free paid training worth CEUs.
This all adds up to invaluable to my career. It's not what I want to do forever, but I think it's a good place to be
Brandon St. Pierre Yes, that's a good thing to point out...the benefits and cost of living!
It's funny...for a state with so many social workers and a very liberal, progressive culture, we don't pay social workers very well.
But, there's tons of jobs. Actually my agency just attracted someone from...I want to say Mississippi, because the MSW jobs out there paid so little. She didn't realize how expensive it was to live here though.
Either way, I love the field and supplement my income with two part-time jobs on top of it, one doing fee-for-service outpatient with children and another teaching as an adjunct professor.
Put in work while you're young!
Thank you!
Hi, im currently in an MSW part time program, and I work in banking full time. I recently received an offer to work for children services in my area, but I didnt go for the interview because the starting salary was over 10k less than what I make now. I really want to start getting experience working in the social service field while im in school, but I cannot afford to take such a huge pay cut. what would you recommend to someone going to school for social work, but have no experience in the field like myself??
I think you just answered my question in the video. Maybe I should have watched the whole video before commenting. Lol
Did you go right into your masters program? I will be graduating in the spring of 2018 with my BSW and I am debating on going right into my masters program or finding a job first to get some experience. What would you recommend?
Hi! I did not go right into my masters program. I planned to take a year off but ended up taking two years off after my undergrad degree because of life issues. They say that you should go straight into the masters after the bachelors because you might get complacent with not being in school but the two years off didn't deter me...I guess it just depends on the person. If you can get experience then go back to school that's great, if you can work while in school for your masters, that's even better. You just have to go with what works best for you. My personal opinion is to go ahead and go straight for the masters and work while doing so if you can.
Day to Day Social Work Sounds geeat, thank you!
This is great thanks for asking this question. I’m in the same boat.
I recently passed the licensure exam for masters social work. I'm now updating my resume, which way should a resume read with the new credentials? (name), MSW, LSW or (name), LMSW. Also did you get a mentor at any point in your social work career?
Hi, Jason! Congratulations on passing your exam! I've seen people put their name and both (example: Ashley Harp, MSW, LMSW) but, to me, it's kind of redundant. It should be understood that if you have an "L" that you have the master's in social work so to put "MSW, LMSW" is repetitive. I use Ashley Harp, LMSW because the credential is inclusive of both. I can't say that I have a specific mentor in social work but I have learned a lot from a few colleagues that I look up to and respect. My experience has been that, when I started out, the people I thought would be mentors were not friendly or open to help as much as I thought they would be so I haven't found anybody that I would call my mentor yet but I think it is good to have one.
Thank you so much Ashley for the quick and helpful response. Exciting times to be a social worker!
You're welcome, and I agree, fun times!!!
Do you have any videos on how you manage work while in school?
Hi, Jessica! Thanks for watching! No, not yet, but I will make one!
what should my pay be as a SW at a Nursing Home or Health Care Facility? am am still in school will finish 2019 I will have a BSSW
Hi, it really depends on where you are and what the market averages for where you live. I would suggest that you do some research and look at what the pay is in your state for that position with that credential. Glassdoor is a good website to look and see what your pay should be.
Salary of diploma in social work
I will be attending grad school in the Fall. my question is once I finish my studies and I begin to prepare to become licenced in the current state that I'm living. will I be able to practice in another state with my licenced due to my plans are to move down south. your insight would be appreciated
Kaity, hi, thanks for watching! Yes, you should be able to transfer your license to another state that has reciprocity with the current state that you are in. You may have to pay some fees in order to do so. I would definitely call the Board in your state and the state you plan to transfer to and find out for sure if you can transfer and what the process is to do so.
Day to Day Social Work
thank you so much for your quick reaponse :) I can say watching you videos are very informative. it actually put me at ease inreguards to the exam. when that time comes I will be in contact for tutoring