Health care social worker vs licensed social worker

The differences between health care social workers and licensed social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a health care social worker and a licensed social worker. Additionally, a licensed social worker has an average salary of $57,005, which is higher than the $42,237 average annual salary of a health care social worker.

The top three skills for a health care social worker include social work, patients and meal preparation. The most important skills for a licensed social worker are social work, patients, and home health.

Health care social worker vs licensed social worker overview

	Health Care Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Yearly salary	$42,237	$57,005
Hourly rate	$20.31	$27.41
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	210,979	66,130
Job satisfaction	-	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

Health care social worker vs licensed social worker salary

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

	Health Care Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Average salary	$42,237	$57,005
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $56,000	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 health care social worker and licensed social worker education

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

	Health Care Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Health care social worker vs licensed social worker demographics

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

	Health Care Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%
Race ratio	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%	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	13%	13%

Differences between health care social worker and licensed social worker duties and responsibilities

Health care social worker example responsibilities.

Respond to and assist in behavioral codes working as a team member to successfully manage patient using methods obtain in CPI training
Assist in coordinating health care benefits with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers.
Work with clients for fill basic home cleaning, cooking, and healthcare needs.
Aid in completion of any forms such as Medicaid, food stamps, etc.
Comply with HIPAA regulations regarding patient privacy and confidentiality.
Discharge planning for those resident under going short-term physical rehabilitation.

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.

Health care social worker vs licensed social worker skills

Common health care social worker skills

Social Work, 26%
Patients, 24%
Meal Preparation, 5%
Community Resources, 4%
Patient Care, 4%
Home Health, 4%

Common licensed social worker skills

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

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Community and Social Services Industry
Health Care Social Worker
Health Care Social Worker vs Licensed Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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