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Community outreach worker job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected community outreach worker job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 15,200 new jobs for community outreach workers are projected over the next decade.
Community outreach worker salaries have increased 13% for community outreach workers in the last 5 years.
There are over 14,341 community outreach workers currently employed in the United States.
There are 44,311 active community outreach worker job openings in the US.
The average community outreach worker salary is $46,809.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,341 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 13,834 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 13,907 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 13,260 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 12,940 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,809 | $22.50 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $44,981 | $21.63 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $44,067 | $21.19 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $42,763 | $20.56 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $41,604 | $20.00 | +2.8% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 155 | 22% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 129 | 21% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 299 | 16% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 142 | 16% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,003 | 14% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 732 | 13% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 528 | 13% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 395 | 13% |
| 9 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 239 | 13% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 125 | 13% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,004 | 12% |
| 12 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 738 | 12% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 437 | 12% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 70 | 12% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,194 | 11% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,099 | 11% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 745 | 11% |
| 18 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 2,135 | 10% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 505 | 10% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 168 | 10% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pullman | 1 | 3% | $45,510 |
| 2 | Oakland | 2 | 0% | $50,470 |
| 3 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $49,973 |
| 4 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $41,427 |
Ohio State University
Ohio University
Baruch College of the City University of New York
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ohio University
Colorado State University - Pueblo
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of South Florida
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Siena College
Nebraska Christian College
Azusa Pacific University
Emily McCave PhD, MSW, LCSW: For clinical positions, which is what most social workers do, daily tasks typically include conducting assessments and providing individual, family, and/or group therapy to children and/or adults, while collaborating with other providers working with the client. There is also daily clinical documentation that needs to be completed.
Ohio State University
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
Deanna Wilkinson Ph.D.: The best way to maximize your salary potential is to do your homework. Start with self-awareness. What can and will you be able to contribute to the organization that will help the organization achieve their goals. Be able to “sell” your strengths, fit with the position, and areas for future growth. It is important to have realistic salary expectations while also sharpen your negotiation skills. Research to find out what are people in similar positions making in your community.
Deanna Wilkinson Ph.D.: My advice to HDFS graduates beginning their careers is to seek out opportunities that align with your passions and will allow you to utilize your academic knowledge and skills to help children and families in meaningful ways.
L. Justin Wheeler: Technology including telehealth, electronic medical records systems, AI, practice evaluation data collection, and other areas will continue to grow and require ethical and proficient users. There will always be a need for social workers to help shape policies and legislation based on human needs and human rights, so leadership, advocacy, and facilitation skills are important. And as loneliness and behavioral health needs expand, the core relationship-building and problem-solving skills social workers learn will be in high demand.
Timothy Aubry: I can’t really predict which skills will be important in the next 3-5 years, but that’s exactly why a liberal arts degree is a good bet. The reason I say that is that the liberal arts teach you to be flexible and open-minded, to rethink your assumptions continuously, to read new situations, and to adjust your ideas in response to new evidence. In other words, studying the liberal arts will prepare you to navigate an ever-changing job landscape and adapt to whatever demands and requirements come to prevail in the future. Rather than tie yourself down to one particular field or skillset, why not develop your mind so you can be prepared for all variety of challenges and possibilities?
Dr. Timmesha Butler-Davis PhD, LCSW: Social work encompasses a vast array of roles, making it challenging to pinpoint a specific day-to-day function. Social workers operate in a generalist capacity, providing direct services like therapy, case management, or client advocacy. Alternatively, they may engage in macro-level activities such as policy advocacy, organizational leadership, or education. A typical day might involve individual client sessions, documenting clinical notes, planning therapeutic interventions, or advocating on Capitol Hill. At its essence, social work strives to challenge social injustices and foster a more equitable society.
Jennifer Shadik: Social work can be a challenging profession. We are often helping people who have experienced trauma or are going through extremely difficult situations. We are there to help them navigate these challenges, while building on their strengths and resources. Helping people through these challenging circumstances and seeing them grow and change is very rewarding. Building relationships with people, helping them learn new knowledge and skills, and advocating for social and economic justice are gratifying aspects of being a social worker.
Jennifer Shadik: Social workers are involved in helping individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in a variety of ways. Depending on the specific job, they may provide education, mediate conflict, connect individuals and families to resources, provide therapeutic intervention, and/or develop policies to help at an individual or national level.
Pamela Richmond Ph.D.: Challenges social workers can face are high caseloads, not enough resources to assist clients and exposure to horrific aspects of humanity. Social workers enjoy being a part of the change process by recognizing the strengths and resiliency of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Workers advocate for individuals that are marginalized and oppressed, ensuring they have a voice. They enjoy looking at solutions to problems and empowering others to make changes beneficial for their lives.
Pamela Richmond Ph.D.: Social workers are trained to understand and intervene on three levels—micro (individuals and families), mezzo (formal groups and organizations) and macro (community and the broader society). Given the challenges currently taking place nationally and internationally such as poverty, immigration, abortion controversy, societal racism/discrimination and the war in the middle east, social workers are trained to intervene and advocate for change on a variety of system levels.
Pamela Richmond Ph.D.: Social workers employed in a variety of diverse settings to include prisons, hospitals, child welfare, homeless shelters, nursing homes, substance abuse facilities, mental health facilities, community organizations and politics (and there are many, many more settings). The setting and the population of clients the social workers assist (children, youth, adults, etc.) will determine the specific day-to-day workload. However, general daily tasks completed regardless of the setting include interacting with clients/community constituents, responding to phone calls/e-mails, problem-solving, teamwork within the organization employed and/or with community constituents and documentation. Social workers entering the profession have fulfilled placement work during their educational training. Meaning, prior to graduation they have been placed in an agency working under the supervision of a social worker applying what they have learned in their coursework. As a result, when they begin their work as a social worker, they are ready to apply the knowledge, values and the skills they have learned to fulfill the tasks mentioned above.
Nancy Kelley PhD: Unfortunately, everyone needs money and has bills to pay. Social work historically has been at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to salaries, regardless of education level, professional licensure, etc. Oftentimes, social workers have felt the need to concede to making a difference over making money as if 'making a difference' and fulfilling our passion through our livelihood makes up for inequitable wages. I do think that sometimes it is true that social workers are overworked and underpaid. Even with one of my 'tips' for earning more money being to supplement your salary by taking on extra opportunities like consulting or having a private practice on the side or being an independent grant writer for nonprofits. However, that may help maximize earnings and be a great way to utilize diverse skill sets of a social worker and help to build your professional networks, it also perpetuates stress and the feeling of being overworked. So, that may not be an appealing option. A better strategy to maximize salary potential when starting your social work career, is to be assertive and learn the art and skill of negotiation. We (especially women and social workers) are not usually very good at selling ourselves and getting others to see our value. However, if you are able to emphasize your experiences and education and be comfortable with that, it will serve you well when navigating the job market. Before you get to that point however, I suggest taking advantage of whatever educational opportunities are available to you. For example, if you are working on your BSW, find a way to earn a minor or a certificate that will complement and supplement the BSW, such as a certificate in gerontology or a minor in criminal justice. Having some area of specialized training and education can give you an edge in the labor market. Likewise when working on an MSW-- is there an opportunity for a dual degree program or to adjunct your MSW with a certificate or other kind of specialized credential? Again, that opportunity will likely not present itself again and may very well increase your earning potential. Another strategy to help increase your salary is to be an active member of professional organizations; this gives you easy access to continuing education opportunities and for keeping up with the literature. Staying current with developments in the social work field and your particular area of practice can make you more valuable to employers and lead to higher salaries. Another strategy is to think outside the box-- there are a lot of social work jobs that might have alternative titles and have higher salaries attached to them, especially positions that might be more administrative or leadership positions-- for example a 'development director,' 'program coordinator,' 'community outreach specialist,' 'clinical supervisor,' 'social services director,' 'program evaluator,' 'quality assurance/improvement manager,' or the like. Additionally, looking for social work positions outside of the nonprofit world can also be a way to have higher earnings. More and more corporations and businesses are hiring social workers. Such positions might be something like being a social worker in an Employee Assistance Program or at a Student Counseling Center on a college campus or it could be a position with a corporation assisting with their corporate giving goals and efforts to give back to the community through community service of some kind-- social workers are good at organizing fundraising events and creating partnerships with nonprofits to help populations in need or specialized causes. Social workers are also hired by organizations such as United Way or Community Foundations who grant funds to nonprofit organizations and these entities often have opportunities for higher pay. Nowadays, social workers can be found in various nontraditional settings, such as hospital and healthcare systems, school systems, and government agencies, which often have higher salaries and more competitive benefits.
University of Alaska Anchorage
Social Work
Matthew Cuellar: Understanding how to use AI, balancing ethics in a changing and increasingly diverse world, and incorporating fresh and new perspectives in to old and unchanged processes within rigid climates. Respect and understanding of all voices is and will continue to be key to effective social work practice, education, and scholarship.
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: God gave you two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Remain open-minded and stay in touch with your mentors. We should always be learning. Find your path and your niche by doing what makes you happy. Don't chase the money. If you are happy and doing what you love and are passionate about, the money will come.
Dr. J. Lendrum PhD: Trust yourself and follow your passions. It is possible to find a meaningful career that aligns with your core interests and values.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Treat clients and patients as individuals with unique lived experiences. They can teach you as much or more than what you learned in a classroom. Seek out and volunteer for new experiences. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Recognize the experience of others but know that you bring the value of new knowledge and a fresh perspective.
Siena College
Social Sciences
Elisa Martin Ph.D., MSW: The beauty of the social work profession is that the skills you learn from your degree can be applied in a range of settings and populations. Depending on your interest, you could be working with children, youth, adults, older adults, or in an area of interest like domestic violence, homelessness, child welfare, gerontology. The work you do could be one-on-one, with small groups, running programs within an organization, and/or working in communities.
Dr. Dexter Voisin: Social work is a diverse profession, and social workers engage in a wide variety of roles from clinicians, policy analysts, community workers, advocates, child welfare workers, mental health counselors, and many others.
Cynthia Peters MSW: When people hear the word social worker, they immediately think about the folks that take children from their families due to some report of abuse. They have a tendency to immediately not like what they think is social work. Social Work is so much more than working for DCS. What I like about Social Work is that there are so many jobs/careers you can walk into and utilize the skill you learned about the profession. Your job title does not need to be Social Worker. I know a social worker that is the Director of Public Works; Recreation Coordinator; Minister; Assistant to in the Governor's Office; Victim Advocate; Management Assistant; Council person; Governor; Senator. The sky is the limit to what career or job a social worker can do.
Cynthia Peters MSW: It is a good profession to enter now, due to the need for social workers in some of the jobs that I mentioned in the previous question. Social Workers can provide a different perspective on service delivery. Meeting the clients where they are at; developing relationships with the community; advocating for client services; writing grants; monitoring grants; brokering services......
Nebraska Christian College
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
Christine Kiewra: Human Development Specialists have many options including specializing in working with young children, families, and elderly clients. Specialists can pursue working in large or small businesses, non-profit agencies, education, or government agencies.
Dr. Aimée Vadnais Psy.D, LMFT: Research the going rates in your industry and ask colleagues to have a good idea. Recognize your worth and advocate for yourself during pay discussions. Highlight unique skill sets that may be valuable to the agency. Provide free education nights to benefit the community, potentially leading to clients. Find a niche population you enjoy working with and market your services specifically to this area.
Alexis Henderson M.S., OTR/L, CLT, OCC: My advice to new graduates would be three-fold: First, take everything in stride. You cannot know what you do not know so do not feel embarrassed or incompetent if there is knowledge you are lacking. Most education in human service truly is acquired on the job. Never be afraid to ask questions and never let anyone make you feel inferior for needing to ask a question. Remember, you are working with human lives and therefore you would much rather ask the question and be safe than hurt someone. Second, work to separate work and personal life. It is so easy to come out of school and into the human profession field and want to fix everyone and everything. This is wonderful but also remember that your job is not your entire identity. There has to be some boundaries and separation, or burnout will be inevitable. Lastly, remember that your attitude dictates your experience. If you approach your work with kindness, gratitude, openness, and dedication it will take you so much farther in life. Challenging patients/clients are usually those who need help the most, so extend them a little extra kindness and grace. Your boss has a job to do, just like you, so ensure you stand up for what you need but also remember that them doing their job is not a personal attack.
Dr. Roxanne Ruiz-Adams: Embarking on a career in social work demands a commitment to embrace lifelong learning, as the field is constantly evolving with new challenges and methodologies. It's essential to continuously update your knowledge through workshops, conferences, and further education to remain relevant and effective. Equally important is the cultivation of empathy and resilience, which allows you to connect deeply with clients while navigating the emotional and psychological demands of the job, ensuring a balance between compassion and self-care. Networking and collaborating with other professionals, both within and outside the field of social work, opens up new perspectives, resources, and opportunities for professional growth. Advocacy for social justice is a cornerstone of social work, pushing for broader social changes and addressing systemic issues that affect clients. Lastly, regular reflection on your practice is crucial for personal and professional development, allowing you to seek feedback and be open to constructive criticism, thereby enhancing your skills and effectiveness
Nicole Willis Ph.D., LMSW: Maximizing your salary first starts with doing the groundwork in the junior and senior year of the Social Work program. You'll want to have a strong and competitive professional resume that show how you stand-out from the other job seekers. The second phase is during the entry-level job interview phase. Best advice I ever received about salary is to NOT accept the first salary offered right away. Let your potential employer know that you'd like a day or two to think about the offer. During those two days, do your homework. Find out what is the average pay for like positions there and in other organizations. Talk with mentors you have within your professional network to get their thoughts on your offer. Don't be afraid to negotiate salary or negotiate the possibility that the potential employer would include paying for you to participate in a conference every year so you can earn the CEUs you need to maintain your Social Work license. In Social Work, we utilize great humility when working with clients and client systems. However, when in the office interviewing and considering that salary offer, put that humility aside for a while and think like a business person.