Hospital social worker vs foster care worker

The differences between hospital social workers and foster care workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a hospital social worker, becoming a foster care worker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a hospital social worker has an average salary of $54,774, which is higher than the $46,037 average annual salary of a foster care worker.

The top three skills for a hospital social worker include social work, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a foster care worker are foster care, social work, and child abuse.

Hospital social worker vs foster care worker overview

	Hospital Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Yearly salary	$54,774	$46,037
Hourly rate	$26.33	$22.13
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	105,520	151,625
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	45	42
Years of experience	2	4

What does a hospital social worker do?

The job of a hospital social worker is one that constantly puts them in the limelight. They perform duties to help patients as they navigate the process of being sick and hospitalized. They assist patients in dealing with the effects of hospitalization. They function as the middleman between patients and the hospital staff. They must also connect patients to much-needed services and assist with coordinating insurance reimbursements.

What does a foster care worker do?

A Foster Care Worker helps improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families as well as increases the family's well-being and the academic functioning of children. They counsel families about issues regarding their child's care and develop healthy living situations.

Hospital social worker vs foster care worker salary

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

	Hospital Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Average salary	$54,774	$46,037
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $77,000	Between $32,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	Alaska	New Jersey
Best paying company	Medical Billing	Riverview Health
Best paying industry	Health Care	Construction

Differences between hospital social worker and foster care worker education

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

	Hospital Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Boston University

Hospital social worker vs foster care worker demographics

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

	Hospital Social Worker	Foster Care Worker
Average age	45	42
Gender ratio	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%	Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	13%	10%

Differences between hospital social worker and foster care worker duties and responsibilities

Hospital social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide individual therapy, case management, and insurance coverage reviews for individuals undergoing short-term rehabilitation.
Provide orientation, support and information to patients and their families to facilitate active involvement in the rehabilitation environment.
Perform assessments/social history upon admission to better understand the patient's needs and personal circumstances as they relate to their rehabilitation.
Coordinate care with community providers for follow up if patient are discharged, prepare documentation for admission to inpatient psychiatry unit.
Analyze psychological / psycho-social evaluations, IEP's, and medical histories within a referral packet to determine eligibility.

Foster care worker example responsibilities.

Conduct unscheduled regular school visits to attain records of attendance, suspensions, IEP, and treatment plans.
Manage to write progress note, complete FASP's and input information on PROMIS on a timely manner.
Manage caseload of 18 23 children and adolescents in DSS custody due to abuse, neglect and criminal activity.
Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
Lead presentation and training sessions to community and inter-agency groups.
Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.

Hospital social worker vs foster care worker skills

Common hospital social worker skills

Social Work, 28%
Patients, 21%
Patient Care, 7%
MSW, 6%
Behavioral Health, 5%
Acute Care, 4%

Common foster care worker skills

Foster Care, 26%
Social Work, 19%
Child Abuse, 7%
Social Services, 6%
Foster Children, 5%
Community Resources, 4%

Hospital Social Worker vs. similar jobs

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Hospital Social Worker
Hospital Social Worker vs Foster Care Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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