Forensic social worker vs foster care worker

The differences between forensic social workers and foster care 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 forensic social worker and a foster care worker. Additionally, a forensic social worker has an average salary of $51,696, which is higher than the $46,037 average annual salary of a foster care worker.

The top three skills for a forensic social worker include social work, psycho-social assessments and mental health. The most important skills for a foster care worker are foster care, social work, and child abuse.

Forensic social worker vs foster care worker overview

	Forensic Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Yearly salary	$51,696	$46,037
Hourly rate	$24.85	$22.13
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	102,030	151,625
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	4	4

Forensic social worker vs foster care worker salary

Forensic social workers and foster care workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forensic Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Average salary	$51,696	$46,037
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $64,000	Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	-	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	Riverview Health
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between forensic social worker and foster care worker education

There are a few differences between a forensic social worker and a foster care worker in terms of educational background:

	Forensic Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	Boston College	Boston University

Forensic social worker vs foster care worker demographics

Here are the differences between forensic social workers' and foster care workers' demographics:

	Forensic Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 21.4% Female, 78.6%	Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between forensic social worker and foster care worker duties and responsibilities

Forensic social worker example responsibilities.

Manage caseload and complete all paperwork according to OMH guidelines.
Counsele veterans and Medi-Cal clients individually to provide behavioral interventions in order to address their anxiety, depression and anger.
Facilitate the building of community partnerships and provide community outreach and marketing efforts to generate new client business.

Foster care worker example responsibilities.

Conduct unscheduled regular school visits to attain records of attendance, suspensions, IEP, and treatment plans.
Manage to write progress note, complete FASP's and input information on PROMIS on a timely manner.
Manage caseload of 18 23 children and adolescents in DSS custody due to abuse, neglect and criminal activity.
Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
Lead presentation and training sessions to community and inter-agency groups.
Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.

Forensic social worker vs foster care worker skills

Common forensic social worker skills

Social Work, 29%
Psycho-Social Assessments, 11%
Mental Health, 9%
Crisis Intervention, 9%
Criminal Justice, 4%
Community Resources, 4%

Common foster care worker skills

Foster Care, 26%
Social Work, 19%
Child Abuse, 7%
Social Services, 6%
Foster Children, 5%
Community Resources, 4%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Forensic Social Worker
Forensic Social Worker vs Foster Care Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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