Post job

Health care social worker vs social worker

The differences between health care social workers and 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 social worker. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, 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 social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Health care social worker vs social worker overview

Health Care Social WorkerSocial Worker
Yearly salary$42,237$50,102
Hourly rate$20.31$24.09
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs210,97977,340
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

Health care social worker vs social worker salary

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

Health Care Social WorkerSocial Worker
Average salary$42,237$50,102
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $56,000Between $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 health care social worker and social worker education

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

Health Care Social WorkerSocial Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 31%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorSocial WorkSocial Work
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Health care social worker vs social worker demographics

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

Health Care Social WorkerSocial Worker
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between health care social worker and 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.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Health care social worker vs 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 social worker skills
  • Social Work, 30%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • MSW, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Home Health, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs