Canada is a country with close to a million social workers. This number of workers has been on the rise despite the fact that there is still a dearth of knowledge about social work and its role in the healthcare sector. The salary for social worker in Canada varies depending upon experience, qualifications, location and other factors.
Social workers have one of the highest average weekly wages at $1032. A job that takes significant work and knowledge, social workers do not just help others with their problems but also with their wellbeing. They may also advise on these matters in some cases.
Social workers play an important role in helping communities, families, and individuals achieve their full potential. They are not only able to help people overcome emotional issues, but also provide support for mental health issues like depression and anxiety. In Canada, the average annual salary for a social worker is between $45,000 and $50,000 per year.
Salary For Social Worker In Canada Overview
Social worker salaries in Canada vary by region. In Ontario, for example, the starting salary for a social worker is about $34,000 per year. This number increases with experience and education; however, the average salary for social workers with at least 10 years of experience is about $53,000 per year.
Social workers in Canada are employed by various organizations such as hospitals, schools and non-profit organizations. Some of their duties include assessing client needs and determining treatment plans; monitoring client progress; interviewing clients; providing emotional support to clients and their families; providing counseling services; collaborating with other healthcare providers; identifying community resources; developing treatment plans based on client needs; making referrals to other professionals as needed; collaborating with other professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists when needed; implementing treatment plans according to professional standards; evaluating effectiveness of treatment programs using evidence-based practices (EBP) or best practices where appropriate; supervising new staff members in their area of expertise as needed.
What is Social Work?
Social work is a dynamic field that started as a movement to reduce poverty and inequality. In Canada, social work began with a group of home visitors—volunteers driven to help vulnerable people, spread hope and advocate for social justice.
Over the past century, social work has evolved into an academic discipline and regulated profession founded on theories of social work, social science and humanities. The field advances through academic research, evidence-based practice and Indigenous ways of knowing.
Social workers are regulated health professionals who work with individuals, families, groups and communities to improve individual and collective well-being. They respond to social issues like racism, poverty and unemployment. As well, social workers advocate for social justice, human rights and fair access to health and social services.
Canadian social workers share the following core values:
- Respect for the inherent dignity and worth of persons
- Pursuit of social justice
- Service to humanity
- Integrity in professional practice
- Confidentiality in professional practice
- Competence in professional practice
What Do Social Workers Do?
Social workers serve people.
Social workers believe people are resourceful, resilient and able. Working in a variety of settings, social workers help people attain physical, mental and spiritual well-being. They also address broad social issues like oppression, discrimination, domestic violence, unemployment and poverty. They do this in many different ways, including:
- Therapy/Counselling
- Social policy analysis
- Community capacity building
- Health promotion
- Research
- Collaboration with other professions
How to Become a Social Worker
Education
Universities across Canada offer degree programs in social work at the bachelor, master’s and PhD levels. The programs involve a combination of knowledge-based coursework and practical experience gained through practicums, as well as self-reflection to complement the knowledge and experience components.
If you’re considering applying for a social work program, review the prerequisites required to get into the program. Often, prerequisites include liberal arts courses, such as social policy, sociology, psychology and philosophy.
During the first two years of most social work bachelor programs, students study the general arts before applying to a school of social work. The school of social work will consider a variety of factors, including applicant experience, GPA, and personal outlook.
Volunteering is a great way to gain practical experience in the profession. Some schools of social work require a minimum number of hours of relevant volunteer or work experience to be considered for admission.
Average Hourly (Median) Wages for Social Workers in Canada
| Location | Low Wage $ per hr | Average Wage $ per hr | High Wage $ per hr | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary – Alberta* | 26.33 | 45.65 | 52.45 | 2019 |
| Edmonton – Alberta* | 22.53 | 45.16 | 53.76 | 2019 |
| Vancouver / Lower Mainland – British Columbia | 19.12 | 32.00 | 41.00 | 2018 |
| Winnipeg – Manitoba | 18.00 | 30.77 | 43.44 | 2018 |
| Fredericton / Oromocto – New Brunswick | 14.80 | 32.69 | 39.00 | 2018 |
| Halifax – Nova Scotia | 18.00 | 29.18 | 42.00 | 2018 |
| Toronto – Ontario | 24.00 | 38.00 | 51.28 | 2018 |
| Ottawa – Ontario | 18.03 | 30.00 | 38.71 | 2018 |
| London – Ontario | 19.56 | 34.00 | 47.00 | 2018 |
| Kitchener / Waterloo / Barrie – Ontario | 18.54 | 36.00 | 46.15 | 2018 |
| Prince Edward Island | 24.57 | 34.34 | 42.00 | 2018 |
| Montreal – Quebec | 19.00 | 35.00 | 43.96 | 2018 |
| Saskatoon / Biggar – Saskatchewan | 22.27 | 32.87 | 50.00 | 2018 |
