Hospital social worker vs social worker

The differences between hospital 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 hospital social worker and a social worker. Additionally, a hospital social worker has an average salary of $54,774, which is higher than the $50,102 average annual salary of a social worker.

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

Hospital social worker vs social worker overview

	Hospital Social Worker	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$54,774	$50,102
Hourly rate	$26.33	$24.09
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	105,520	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

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 social worker do?

Social workers help their clients get through problems that they may be facing. Social workers help identify individuals or groups of people, usually families, who may need assistance, generally through a set of pre-determined criteria. They then determine the best ways to help their clients by interviewing them, getting to know them, and understanding the context of their lives. They create plans that will help their clients become better, such as integrating into a new environment, assisting them in their needs, or even rescuing them from their current place. Social workers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills.

Hospital social worker vs social worker salary

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

	Hospital Social Worker	Social Worker
Average salary	$54,774	$50,102
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $77,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	Alaska	Oregon
Best paying company	Medical Billing	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	Health Care	Government

Differences between hospital social worker and social worker education

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

	Hospital Social Worker	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Hospital social worker vs social worker demographics

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

	Hospital Social Worker	Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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 hospital social worker and social 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.

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.

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Hospital social worker vs social worker skills

Common hospital social worker skills

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

Common social worker skills

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

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Updated January 8, 2025

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