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The differences between case workers and licensed social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a case worker, becoming a licensed social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a licensed social worker has an average salary of $57,005, which is higher than the $41,459 average annual salary of a case worker.
The top three skills for a case worker include social work, crisis intervention and patients. The most important skills for a licensed social worker are social work, patients, and home health.
| Case Worker | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $41,459 | $57,005 |
| Hourly rate | $19.93 | $27.41 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 107,329 | 66,130 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Caseworkers are social workers who watch over the welfare of underprivileged individuals and at-risk families by counseling and providing them with assistance. Usually employed under the government or a local non-profit organization, a caseworker must conduct a thorough interview and house visits to determine the needs of the family. They then refer them to any programs or agencies that can give them the specific care and help needed. Furthermore, it is crucial to identify neglect and abuse signs, reporting them to the authorities right away.
Licensed Social Workers are duly and legally recognized to carry out activities related to social work. They identify individuals or groups of people in need and assess what kind of help they require. They may assist these people in connecting to agencies that would cater to their needs. Licensed Social Workers also help people cope with their challenges. They are responsible for crafting treatment plans or well-being improvement plans for the individuals they help. They may also be called on during times of crisis to provide emotional support to the individuals involved.
Case workers and licensed social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Case Worker | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Average salary | $41,459 | $57,005 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $55,000 | Between $41,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Appalachian Regional Healthcare | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a case worker and a licensed social worker in terms of educational background:
| Case Worker | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Social Work |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between case workers' and licensed social workers' demographics:
| Case Worker | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% | Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 13% |