If you want to know the average salary for a social worker in San Francisco, then this article is for you.
Social worker salary in San Francisco ranks third among all cities in the United States. A certified social worker in San Francisco can earn up to $838,300.
Social Worker Salary In San Francisco Overview
Are you a social worker in San Francisco? Maybe you want to be!
We’ve got the scoop on everything from how much social workers make in San Francisco to the average cost of living, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right career for you.
First things first: social workers are also called case managers or clinical social workers. They help people overcome problems in their lives through counseling services and case management, which means they often work with clients who are having difficulty coping with substance abuse, mental illness, or other issues.
In San Francisco, there are over 2,000 jobs available for social workers according to Indeed.com. That’s a lot of opportunities! But before we get into salary information, let’s talk about what it takes to become a social worker in San Francisco.
What is Social Work?
According to the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW), Social Work is a profession that aims to help individuals, families, groups and communities to improve their individual and collective well-being. Social Workers provide help to people’s personal issues as well as dealing with broader social concerns such as poverty, unemployment and domestic violence.
What Do Social Workers Do?
Social Workers work in a variety of settings and their duties vary accordingly. They may work in family services agencies, children’s aid agencies, general and psychiatric hospitals, school boards, correctional institutions, health and community services centres, or federal and provincial departments.
Social Workers in health and community services centres, for example, may offer counselling for individuals or families, help seniors with day-to-day tasks, or assist with parent-child relationships. Social Workers can also provide support for individuals that are feeling stressed or overwhelmed with the responsibility of being a primary caregiver for a loved one.
Requirements to Become a Social Worker
In order to become a Social Worker in Ontario, you need to obtain a Bachelor of Social Work, which means four years of post-secondary education. Some companies also require having a Master of Social Work, which will take either one or two years of additional post-graduate education. A lot of universities in Ontario provide Social Work programs, all of which have been accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE).
After getting a degree, you’ll need to join a provincial regulatory body in order to become a regulated Social Worker; in this case, it’s the Ontario Colleges of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). You can only refer to yourself as a “Social Worker” or a “Registered Social Worker” and legally practice Social Work in Ontario after becoming a member of the OCSWSSW.
How To Become a Social Worker
Although most social workers need a bachelor’s degree in social work, clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and 2 years of post-master’s experience in a supervised clinical setting. Clinical social workers must also be licensed in the state in which they practice.
Education
A bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) is the most common requirement for entry-level positions. However, some employers may hire workers who have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology or sociology.
A BSW prepares students for direct-service positions such as caseworker or mental health assistant. These programs teach students about diverse populations, human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethics in social work. All programs require students to complete supervised fieldwork or an internship.
Some positions require a master’s degree in social work (MSW), which generally takes 2 years to complete. Master’s degree programs in social work prepare students for work in their chosen specialty by developing clinical assessment and management skills. All programs require students to complete a supervised practicum or an internship.
A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required in order to enter a master’s degree program in social work. Although a degree in almost any major is acceptable, courses in psychology, sociology, economics, and political science are recommended. Some programs allow graduates with a bachelor’s degree in social work to earn their master’s degree in 1 year.
In 2015, there were more than 500 bachelor’s degree programs and more than 200 master’s degree programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Some universities offer doctoral programs in social work, where students can earn a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) or a Ph.D. Most doctoral programs in social work require students to have a master’s in social work and experience in the field. Many doctor’s students go on to work as postsecondary teachers.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Most states have licensure or certification requirements for nonclinical social workers. Requirements vary by state.
All states require clinical social workers to be licensed. However, some states provide exemptions for clinical social workers who work in government agencies. Becoming a licensed clinical social worker requires a master’s degree in social work and a minimum of 2 years of supervised clinical experience after graduation. After completing their supervised experience, clinical social workers must pass a clinical exam to be licensed.
Because licensing requirements vary by state, those interested should contact their state board. For more information about regulatory licensure boards by state, contact the Association of Social Work Boards.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives. To effectively help, social workers must be able to listen to and understand their clients’ needs.
Empathy. Social workers often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have compassion and empathy for their clients.
Interpersonal skills. Being able to work with different groups of people is essential for social workers. They need strong people skills to foster healthy and productive relationships with their clients and colleagues.
Organizational skills. Social workers must help and manage multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment.
Problem-solving skills. Social workers need to develop practical and innovative solutions to their clients’ problems.
Time-management skills. Social workers often have many clients and administrative responsibilities. They must effectively manage their time to provide adequate service to all of their clients.
How much does a Social Worker make in San Francisco, CA?
The average social worker in San Francisco, CA makes $70,712 annually. The average hourly rate for a social worker is $34.00/hr. This compares to the national average social worker salary of $53,175. Below, we break down the average social worker salary in San Francisco, CA by the highest paying companies and industries. You can also compare different types of social worker salaries in and around San Francisco and a salary history chart that shows how the average salary for social workers has changed over time in San Francisco.
Highest Paying Companies For Social Workers In San Francisco, CA
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conviva | $85,348 | $41 | 1 |
| 2 | Sutter Health | $77,505 | $37 | 133 |
| 3 | Virginia Mason Medical Center | $76,331 | $37 | 20 |
| 4 | Stanford University | $74,454 | $36 | – |
| 5 | AHMC Healthcare | $74,170 | $36 | 28 |
| 6 | Highland General Hospital | $73,535 | $35 | 13 |
| 7 | Sharp HealthCare | $72,466 | $35 | 37 |
| 8 | Presbyterian | $71,432 | $34 | 31 |
| 9 | Dignity Health | $69,988 | $34 | 71 |
| 10 | UC Santa Barbara | $68,805 | $33 | 4 |
| 11 | John Muir Health | $68,753 | $33 | 6 |
| 12 | County of San Joaquin, CA | $68,559 | $33 | – |
| 13 | Scripps Health | $67,948 | $33 | 23 |
| 14 | AdventHealth | $67,402 | $32 | 56 |
| 15 | Prime Healthcare | $67,234 | $32 | 169 |
| 16 | PeaceHealth | $66,367 | $32 | 139 |
| 17 | Garfield Medical Center | $66,318 | $32 | – |
| 18 | University of Washington | $65,398 | $31 | 74 |
| 19 | Hospice of the Western Reserve | $64,340 | $31 | 4 |
| 20 | CHRISTUS Health | $64,010 | $31 | 25 |
