Forensic social worker vs social worker

The differences between forensic social workers and 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 social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a forensic social worker has an average salary of $51,696, which is higher than the $50,102 average annual salary of a 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 social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Forensic social worker vs social worker overview

	Forensic Social Worker	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$51,696	$50,102
Hourly rate	$24.85	$24.09
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	102,030	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	4	2

Forensic social worker vs social worker salary

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

	Forensic Social Worker	Social Worker
Average salary	$51,696	$50,102
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $64,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	-	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	-	Oregon
Best paying company	-	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between forensic social worker and social worker education

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

	Forensic Social Worker	Social Worker
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 52%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	Boston College	University of Pennsylvania

Forensic social worker vs social worker demographics

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

	Forensic Social Worker	Social Worker
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 21.4% Female, 78.6%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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 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.

Social worker example responsibilities.

Assist clients in achieving treatment goals such as anger, ADHD, grief, social skills, and manners.
Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
Support patient questions and issues regarding Medicare ESRD entitlement and Medicaid and assist in the completion of the appropriate documentation.
Coordinate IPU discharge planning patients to SNF, ALF, PCH or in-home care with necessary support for care.
Facilitate relationships with AKF and other patient assistance programs, VA, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
Complete Medicaid and Medicare applications as needed.

Forensic social worker vs 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 social worker skills

Social Work, 30%
Patients, 15%
Patient Care, 5%
MSW, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Home Health, 4%