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Detention worker vs school social worker

The differences between detention workers and school social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a detention worker and a school social worker. Additionally, a school social worker has an average salary of $54,856, which is higher than the $35,072 average annual salary of a detention worker.

The top three skills for a detention worker include crisis intervention, perform intake and incident reports. The most important skills for a school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.

Detention worker vs school social worker overview

Detention WorkerSchool Social Worker
Yearly salary$35,072$54,856
Hourly rate$16.86$26.37
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs21,863122,376
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Detention worker vs school social worker salary

Detention workers and school social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Detention WorkerSchool Social Worker
Average salary$35,072$54,856
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $55,000Between $40,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Boston Public Schools
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between detention worker and school social worker education

There are a few differences between a detention worker and a school social worker in terms of educational background:

Detention WorkerSchool Social Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeSocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaBoston College

Detention worker vs school social worker demographics

Here are the differences between detention workers' and school social workers' demographics:

Detention WorkerSchool Social Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between detention worker and school social worker duties and responsibilities

Detention worker example responsibilities.

  • Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
  • Recognize risk factors quickly, collaborate with interdisciplinary team, nurture positive relationships with patients through consistency and modeling healthy boundaries.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

School social worker example responsibilities.

  • Case manage in-district and out-of-district students with emotional disabilities, autism, other health impair and physical disabilities.
  • Provide individual, group and family therapy to patients suffering from substance abuse/dependence.
  • Prepare APS reports as needed and present them to the state.
  • Prepare IEP's, set goals, and objectives consistent with CSE standards.
  • Train college interns, new employees, and volunteers on APS policies and procedures.
  • Design school-wide and individual PBIS programs and incentives; as well as compiled data relate to PBIS.
  • Show more

Detention worker vs school social worker skills

Common detention worker skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 22%
  • Perform Intake, 13%
  • Incident Reports, 13%
  • Emergency Situations, 12%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Juvenile Programs, 5%
Common school social worker skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Social Emotional, 6%
  • IEP, 6%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • Behavioral Issues, 4%

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