Pediatric social worker vs clinical social worker

The differences between pediatric social workers and clinical 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 pediatric social worker and a clinical social worker. Additionally, a clinical social worker has an average salary of $63,056, which is higher than the $58,039 average annual salary of a pediatric social worker.

The top three skills for a pediatric social worker include social work, patients and mental health. The most important skills for a clinical social worker are social work, patients, and behavioral health.

Pediatric social worker vs clinical social worker overview

	Pediatric Social Worker	Clinical Social Worker
Yearly salary	$58,039	$63,056
Hourly rate	$27.90	$30.32
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	58,217	124,816
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Master's Degree, 54%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a pediatric social worker do?

A pediatric social worker assists sick children and their families in the treatment and management of chronic conditions or illnesses. This role requires one to specialize in an area of pediatric care such as oncology, burns, etc. As a pediatric social worker, you must be ready to take up inpatient and outpatient responsibilities to advise and link your clients with the needed resources. They also offer emotional support, liaise with medical staff, and coordinate the child's care.

What does a clinical social worker do?

A clinical social worker is an individual in social work, which provides help to individuals in need of improving their lives and their well-being. Clinical social workers must work with different individuals to help them address difficulties that they are trying to overcome. To perform counseling services, clinical social workers must take and pass the professional licensure examination. They also help disadvantaged individuals connect to resources and services that they may benefit from.

Pediatric social worker vs clinical social worker salary

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

	Pediatric Social Worker	Clinical Social Worker
Average salary	$58,039	$63,056
Salary range	Between $41,000 And $80,000	Between $42,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Tucson Electric Power
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between pediatric social worker and clinical social worker education

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

	Pediatric Social Worker	Clinical Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Master's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Pediatric social worker vs clinical social worker demographics

Here are the differences between pediatric social workers' and clinical social workers' demographics:

	Pediatric Social Worker	Clinical Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 13.8% Female, 86.2%	Male, 21.7% Female, 78.3%
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 pediatric social worker and clinical social worker duties and responsibilities

Pediatric social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Monitor high risk neonatal pediatric hospital patients recently discharge, ensuring proper follow-up and clinical management.
Develop a plan for intervention that are consistent with the social/emotional/physical needs of patients and caregivers.
Perform advocacy and referral services to other social service agencies which include alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs.
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.

Clinical social worker example responsibilities.

Understand manage care, Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide clinical services to patients in rehabilitation and oncology including assessment, crisis intervention, grief therapy, and discharge planning.
Provide individual, group, family therapy, team coordination, discharge planning, utilization review and MSW student supervision.
Participate in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings to determine Medicare length of skil nursing stay.
Facilitate therapy, symptom management, and rehabilitation groups for mental health clients in partial hospitalization setting.

Pediatric social worker vs clinical social worker skills

Common pediatric social worker skills

Social Work, 33%
Patients, 24%
Mental Health, 7%
Patient Care, 7%
MSW, 7%
Family Therapy, 2%

Common clinical social worker skills

Social Work, 28%
Patients, 17%
Behavioral Health, 6%
Patient Care, 5%
Community Resources, 4%
MSW, 3%

Pediatric Social Worker vs. similar jobs

Pediatric Social Worker related careers

Pediatric Social Worker related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Pediatric Social Worker
Pediatric Social Worker vs Clinical Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs