Group social worker vs licensed social worker

The differences between group social workers and licensed social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a group social worker, becoming a licensed social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a licensed social worker has an average salary of $57,005, which is higher than the $52,195 average annual salary of a group social worker.

The top three skills for a group social worker include social work, community resources and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a licensed social worker are social work, patients, and home health.

Group social worker vs licensed social worker overview

	Group Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Yearly salary	$52,195	$57,005
Hourly rate	$25.09	$27.41
Growth rate	12%	9%
Number of jobs	52,383	66,130
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	12	2

Group social worker vs licensed social worker salary

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

	Group Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Average salary	$52,195	$57,005
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $76,000	Between $41,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between group social worker and licensed social worker education

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

	Group Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	University of Pennsylvania

Group social worker vs licensed social worker demographics

Here are the differences between group social workers' and licensed social workers' demographics:

	Group Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	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	11%	13%

Differences between group social worker and licensed social worker duties and responsibilities

Group social worker example responsibilities.

Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
Conduct structured reminiscences and life review techniques with seniors to increase cognitive stimulation while promoting self-esteem among Alzheimer's patients.
Document cases using DMH standards.
Document sessions, consults, diagnostic updates, and treatment goals using DMH documentation.
Conduct structured reminiscences and life review techniques with seniors to increase cognitive stimulation while promoting self-esteem among Alzheimer's patients.

Licensed social worker example responsibilities.

Foster self-determination of patients by evaluating for vocational rehabilitation that includes employment, volunteering, or education opportunities.
Evaluate and provide psychotherapy services to patients diagnose with serious and persistent mental illness and/or chemical dependency within an inpatient setting.
Provide clinical supervision to MSW students.
Supervise and train MSW students during their final concentration practicum.
Plan and facilitate trainings that address trauma exposure and the impact of compassion fatigue on administrative staff.
Provide medically relate social services to residents in a sub-acute, short term rehabilitation unit.

Group social worker vs licensed social worker skills

Common group social worker skills

Social Work, 39%
Community Resources, 13%
Crisis Intervention, 11%
Discharge Planning, 8%
Mental Illness, 7%
Substance Abuse, 7%

Common licensed social worker skills

Social Work, 29%
Patients, 13%
Home Health, 11%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Substance Abuse, 5%
Crisis Intervention, 4%

Group Social Worker vs. similar jobs

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Community and Social Services Industry
Group Social Worker
Group Social Worker vs Licensed Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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