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Family educator vs school social worker

The differences between family educators 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 family educator and a school social worker. Additionally, a school social worker has an average salary of $54,856, which is higher than the $35,404 average annual salary of a family educator.

The top three skills for a family educator include social work, child development and CPR. The most important skills for a school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.

Family educator vs school social worker overview

Family EducatorSchool Social Worker
Yearly salary$35,404$54,856
Hourly rate$17.02$26.37
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs24,959122,376
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a family educator do?

A family educator ensures that parents are educated on their family members' nutritional, medical, and educational needs. These educators support and encourage self-sufficiency for the family that they work with by helping navigate family problems. They enable parents to obtain the education and skills to raise physically, emotionally, and psychologically healthy children. Family educators must have strong communication skills, good decision-making skills, strong self-esteem, and knowledge of human development.

What does a school social worker do?

A school social worker specializes in counseling students, families, and faculty members. They are responsible for coordinating with the school to develop programs that prioritize the students' emotional and psychological well-being, respond to any issues and concerns, build rapport to identify their needs, and communicate with support services to provide necessary assistance to any students or families. There are also instances when a school social worker must assist teachers in handling students with behavioral issues, investigating the underlying reasons. Moreover, it is crucial to identify any signs of neglect or abuse, conducting interventive measures right away.

Family educator vs school social worker salary

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

Family EducatorSchool Social Worker
Average salary$35,404$54,856
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $50,000Between $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 family educator and school social worker education

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

Family EducatorSchool Social Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachBoston College

Family educator vs school social worker demographics

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

Family EducatorSchool Social Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 19.7% Female, 80.3%Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between family educator and school social worker duties and responsibilities

Family educator example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Certify in CPR & first aid.
  • Perform developmental screenings and participate in IEP transition meetings.
  • Collaborate with special education teachers for implementation of IEP s for special needs children and curriculum development.
  • Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
  • Determine participants' eligibility for program by gathering data and maintaining information to ensure clients are compliant for TANF program regulations.

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

Family educator vs school social worker skills

Common family educator skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Child Development, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Childhood Education, 7%
  • Health Education, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
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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