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Psychotherapist social worker vs school social worker

The differences between psychotherapist social workers and school social 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 psychotherapist social worker, becoming a school social worker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a psychotherapist social worker has an average salary of $58,080, which is higher than the $54,856 average annual salary of a school social worker.

The top three skills for a psychotherapist social worker include social work, group therapy sessions and treatment plan reviews. The most important skills for a school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.

Psychotherapist social worker vs school social worker overview

Psychotherapist Social WorkerSchool Social Worker
Yearly salary$58,080$54,856
Hourly rate$27.92$26.37
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs45,091122,376
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 58%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age4542
Years of experience24

Psychotherapist social worker vs school social worker salary

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

Psychotherapist Social WorkerSchool Social Worker
Average salary$58,080$54,856
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $78,000Between $40,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Boston Public Schools
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between psychotherapist social worker and school social worker education

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

Psychotherapist Social WorkerSchool Social Worker
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 58%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorSocial WorkSocial Work
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachBoston College

Psychotherapist social worker vs school social worker demographics

Here are the differences between psychotherapist social workers' and school social workers' demographics:

Psychotherapist Social WorkerSchool Social Worker
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage13%10%

Differences between psychotherapist social worker and school social worker duties and responsibilities

Psychotherapist social worker example responsibilities.

  • Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
  • Assist patients to apply for Medicaid, food stamps, medical insurance, housing, and SSI/SSD.
  • Assist clients in ascertaining eligibility for SSA, Medicare and MD Medicaid (including ACA) and completing requisite applications.
  • Work with a complex interdisciplinary team facilitating treatment for patients on medical floors including oncology, dialysis, cardiac and maternity.
  • Integrate a therapeutic/clinical model base on of DBT that support student academic, behavioral and social success.

School social worker example responsibilities.

  • Case manage in-district and out-of-district students with emotional disabilities, autism, other health impair and physical disabilities.
  • Provide individual, group and family therapy to patients suffering from substance abuse/dependence.
  • Prepare APS reports as needed and present them to the state.
  • Prepare IEP's, set goals, and objectives consistent with CSE standards.
  • Train college interns, new employees, and volunteers on APS policies and procedures.
  • Design school-wide and individual PBIS programs and incentives; as well as compiled data relate to PBIS.
    • Show more

Psychotherapist social worker vs school social worker skills

Common psychotherapist social worker skills
  • Social Work, 33%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 12%
  • Treatment Plan Reviews, 8%
  • Discharge Planning, 7%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%
Common school social worker skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Social Emotional, 6%
  • IEP, 6%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • Behavioral Issues, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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