Forensic social worker vs psychiatric social worker

The differences between forensic social workers and psychiatric social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a forensic social worker, becoming a psychiatric social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a psychiatric social worker has an average salary of $59,144, which is higher than the $51,696 average annual salary of a forensic social 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 psychiatric social worker are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Forensic social worker vs psychiatric social worker overview

	Forensic Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Yearly salary	$51,696	$59,144
Hourly rate	$24.85	$28.43
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	102,030	57,284
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Master's Degree, 51%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	4	2

Forensic social worker vs psychiatric social worker salary

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

	Forensic Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average salary	$51,696	$59,144
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $64,000	Between $43,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	-	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Highmark
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between forensic social worker and psychiatric social worker education

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

	Forensic Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Master's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	Boston College	University of Pennsylvania

Forensic social worker vs psychiatric social worker demographics

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

	Forensic Social Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 21.4% Female, 78.6%	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%
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, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	13%

Differences between forensic social worker and psychiatric social 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.

Psychiatric social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide clinical supervision and oversight to MSW intern who provide assessments and treatment.
Participate in weekly hospital social services meetings, weekly individual supervision, and facilitate change strategies for patients.
Guide, mentore, and tutor both BSW and MSW students in internship programs.
Assist individual in developing and practicing the skills define on their psychiatric rehabilitation plans.
Follow patients throughout hospitalization, working closely with attending psychiatrist; involve in family, individual and group treatment.

Forensic social worker vs psychiatric social 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 psychiatric social worker skills

Social Work, 23%
Patients, 16%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Discharge Planning, 5%
Mental Health, 4%

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Forensic Social Worker
Forensic Social Worker vs Psychiatric Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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