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Job outlook for domestic violence advocates in the United States
Domestic violence advocate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected domestic violence advocate job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for domestic violence advocates are projected over the next decade.
Domestic violence advocate salaries have increased 13% for domestic violence advocates in the last 5 years.
There are over 8,614 domestic violence advocates currently employed in the United States.
There are 68,579 active domestic violence advocate job openings in the US.
The average domestic violence advocate salary is $47,440.
Are domestic violence advocate jobs in demand?
Domestic violence advocate job and salary trends over time
Domestic violence advocate jobs over time
Domestic violence advocate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,614 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,648 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 8,746 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 8,483 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,305 | 0.00% |
Average domestic violence advocate salary over time
Domestic violence advocate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,440 | $22.81 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $46,252 | $22.24 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $44,524 | $21.41 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $43,693 | $21.01 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $41,965 | $20.18 | +3.2% |
Domestic violence advocate jobs by state
Most common states for domestic violence advocates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,199 | 32% |
| 2 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 212 | 16% |
| 3 | Alaska | 739,795 | 108 | 15% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 107 | 15% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 865 | 14% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 139 | 13% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 873 | 12% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 653 | 12% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 124 | 12% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 209 | 11% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,329 | 10% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 547 | 10% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 350 | 10% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 128 | 10% |
| 15 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,802 | 9% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,153 | 9% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 839 | 9% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 661 | 9% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 276 | 9% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 182 | 9% |
Most common cities for domestic violence advocates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kent | 1 | 3% | $61,969 |
| 2 | Cambridge | 1 | 1% | $63,191 |
| 3 | Worcester | 1 | 1% | $63,695 |
| 4 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $58,274 |
| 5 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $63,289 |
Domestic Violence Advocate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of domestic violence advocate experts
Ohio University
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Campbellsville University
Nazareth College of Rochester
Kennesaw State University
Azusa Pacific University
University of Houston - Clear Lake
California State University - Sacramento
The University of Texas Permian Basin
What will help Domestic Violence Advocates increase their earning potential?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
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.
Dr. Kimberly Mudd-Fegett DSW, MSSW
Associate Professor of Social WorkCampbellsville University
Social Work
What Domestic Violence Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kimberly Mudd-Fegett DSW, MSSW: The best thing about being a Social Worker is the ability to serve, assist and empower other individuals who are facing challenges within their life. Although this can be very overwhelming, at times the rewards this can provide, and self-fulfillment is hard to put into words. One of the greatest challenges of Social Work is maintaining adequate self-care and knowing that you can impact or help all individuals. This can be extremely challenging and overwhelming, particularly for new workers. One must ensure that they have adequate supervision, education, and resources to protect their wellbeing or burnout is highly likely.
What will help Domestic Violence Advocates increase their earning potential?
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.
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
Erin Cole DSW, LCSW: There is a phrase that sometimes comes out in social work that we are "in it for the outcome, not for the income." This is true but also, we deserve a livable wage. I already see graduates starting at higher salaries so I think this is trending in the right direction. With that said, I think the best way to maximize salary potential is to build your resume with trainings and certifications, beyond the degree, to show that you have something extra to offer compared to another new graduate. There are so many courses available online to get certified in specific interventions.
What Domestic Violence Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Erin Cole DSW, LCSW: When you're looking for jobs, don't look for a forever job. Find something that seems like a good fit right now. The pressure for it to be forever is too much. Do it for as long as it feels right and move on when it doesn't. Also, remember that being a new graduate is an asset! You are more current on trends in social work, literature, and evidence-based practices than many seasoned professionals. You add value to the setting and should not minimize that by falling back on being new in the field.
What Domestic Violence Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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......
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
Cindy Snell: Be able to articulate the skills and experience you have that are relevant to the jobs you are seeking - tell your story! Learn another language than English. Negotiate your hiring terms. Learn about loan forgiveness options.
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
Camille Coleman: Do your research within the state and or country, and or agency you are seeking potential employment. Look up the laws, compare them to other states, don't be afraid to look at all careers within the social work field, for example research in social work gets overlooked, facilitation, curriculum development, etc. Future social workers should seek reciprocity in multiple states to practice counseling services after obtaining one's licensure, if wanting to provide therapeutic services. This will give one leverage to negotiate higher salary requests.
What will help Domestic Violence Advocates increase their earning potential?
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.
What Domestic Violence Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Schoolnik: Dialogue and compromise. There are many apparatuses in today's society which are designed to pull people apart. Cable news and online news sites are famous examples of this. Add to this the echo chambers of social media where people largely associate with like-minded people while looking negatively at those with a different world view. This silo-ing of society is the antithesis of dialogue and compromise. Instead, it creates a class system of those who agree (the favored class) and those who disagree (the unfavored class).
On a macro level, the more the social worker dialogues with all stakeholders (those in favor and those opposed) the more that person gains knowledge and goodwill. This is at the heart of compromise - winning being defined as doing the most good for the most people.
On a clinical level, social workers work mutually with their clients. Learning about a client's values begins with dialogue (even when our values are different) and creating treatment plans is often-based on compromise (agency policy/goals, and client goals).
Dr. Roxanne Ruiz-Adams
What will help Domestic Violence Advocates increase their earning potential?
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
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
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.
What Domestic Violence Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What will help Domestic Violence Advocates increase their earning potential?
Candace Riddley: I would encourage a beginning graduate to find a mentor who works in the field of social work. Mentorship is a great way for social workers to enhance their skills, knowledge, and career paths. This is an opportunity to provide guidance, support, feedback, and networking opportunities. Lastly, mentorship provides the opportunity to discuss job-related issues, career concerns, licensure, and challenges within the field. Mentorship is a great way to help graduates grow personally and professionally.
Dr. Lisa Jones Ed.D.
Professor - Multicultural EducationUniversity of Houston - Clear Lake
Intercultural/Multicultural And Diversity Studies
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
Dr. Lisa Jones Ed.D.: I believe that you should not go into any career to "make money". However, you can maximize your salary potential by: * Loving what you do and expressing it through your constant professionalism. Employees do notice the small gestures and commitment to the field. * Being your authentic self. For example, if you do not know something, say so. It's okay to not know and to be vulnerable. That is how we learn. * Improving upon your skill(s) set. Seek ways to get more training, credentials, certificates, or professional development. * Being patient....you will have "character building" experiences that you should not let define you, but help you grow in the field. * Seeking out a mentor to help you navigate the field in the beginning. Later on, help others in the same manner. While trying to maximize your salary potential is a very practical goal, be mindful to guard your mental health. In most cases, salary increases involve much more work and time. If getting that salary increase requires you to sacrifice your mental health, is it really worth it? Alex, I know that my last statement may not be germane to the topic of maximizing salary potential, but I think it is extremely important. You may choose to delete it.
Alan Burkard Ph.D.
Professor, ChairWhat Domestic Violence Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alan Burkard Ph.D.: Understanding the potential impact that artificial intelligence may have on social services is a developing area and under-explored. Early career professionals would be advised to explore this developing area and the skills related to integrating AI's use in the workplace. A second important area is grant writing and program evaluation. These areas are often undervalued by young professionals, and yet, organizations need professionals who understand how to execute these skills and can help the organization meet their funding raising needs. Finally, develop your collaboration skills. Social service organizations are reliant on forging and developing strong relationships and partnerships in the communities they serve.
What general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
Frances Furio: As a graduate social work instructor, I often have conversations with my students and new graduates about the licensure process for clinical social workers in California. While some students want to begin pursuing their license directly after graduation, others are unsure of whether they want to pursue this path or have chosen to pursue an alternative social work path.
What will help Domestic Violence Advocates increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Susan Herrmann Ph.D.
Minnesota State University-Mankato Assistant Professor Department of Social WorkWhat general advice would you give to a Domestic Violence Advocate?
Susan Herrmann Ph.D.: Social work is the most versatile of all human service professions. Social workers utilize a systems framework as they engage their work. Other human service professions look at the individual as the unit of measure, whereas social workers look at client systems and problems in the context in which they find themselves. Social workers take into consideration social, political, historical, psychological, and biological factors when problem solving. Social workers are prepared to effectively work across a variety of domains and in different environments. Social work is an excellent profession to enter now given the rising need for mental health, aging, and substance use services, particularly in rural settings. The social work profession is currently outpacing other professions and approximately 78,000 new jobs will be added to the workforce every year between 2020-2030.
Sam Terrazas Ph.D.
Professor and Academic Chair Department of Social WorkThe University of Texas Permian Basin
Department of Social Work
What skills stand out on Domestic Violence Advocate resumes?
Sam Terrazas Ph.D.: Social work is a profession rooted in professional ethics and requires a wide range of skills that vary depending upon the role a social worker holds in an organization. In general, social work skills that stand out on a resume are skills gained through specialized training and certifications, skills in culturally responsive practice, proficiency in languages, and skills in assessment and evaluation.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Domestic Violence Advocates?
Sam Terrazas Ph.D.: Social workers practice in various areas of practice and organizational auspices that may differ in the hard/technical skills that are most important. In general, the hard/technical skills most important can be categorized based on the level of education-BSW (Bachelors of Social Work) versus MSW (Masters of Social Work).
BSW's practice in a range of organizations providing various types of services; however, in general practice in the realm of case management that requires that ability to demonstrate cultural responsiveness, develop an alliance with clients, apply NASW and a state's ethics and professional standards of practice, conduct assessments, and to develop plans to meet a client's goals.
MSW's practice in many areas such as administration, clinical, public policy and advocacy, child welfare, public safety, and health care. Each of these practice areas requires specific technical skills; however, in general, MSW's are trained to assess individuals, families, groups, and communities. To that end, MSW's must understand the cultural context and how socio/economic local, state, federal policies impact social welfare problems such as poverty, intimate partner violence, and mental illness. MSW's must possess strong engagement skills/therapeutic alliance-building, diagnostic/evaluation skills, ethical application of interventions and therapeutic approaches, and advocacy skills.