Social staff worker vs psychiatric social worker

The differences between social staff workers and psychiatric social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a social staff worker, becoming a psychiatric social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a psychiatric social worker has an average salary of $59,144, which is higher than the $57,877 average annual salary of a social staff worker.

The top three skills for a social staff worker include social work, home health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a psychiatric social worker are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Social staff worker vs psychiatric social worker overview

	Social Staff Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Yearly salary	$57,877	$59,144
Hourly rate	$27.83	$28.43
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	112,494	57,284
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Master's Degree, 51%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	4	2

Social staff worker vs psychiatric social worker salary

Social staff workers and psychiatric social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Social Staff Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average salary	$57,877	$59,144
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $78,000	Between $43,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	-	San Mateo, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Highmark
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between social staff worker and psychiatric social worker education

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

	Social Staff Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Master's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	Boston College	University of Pennsylvania

Social staff worker vs psychiatric social worker demographics

Here are the differences between social staff workers' and psychiatric social workers' demographics:

	Social Staff Worker	Psychiatric Social Worker
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%	Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2%
Race ratio	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%	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	10%	13%

Differences between social staff worker and psychiatric social worker duties and responsibilities

Social staff worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Coordinate care with community providers for follow up if patient are discharged, prepare documentation for admission to inpatient psychiatry unit.
Determine eligibility for program, monitor and track program requirements, and review Medicaid eligibility.

Psychiatric social worker example responsibilities.

Screen, identify, diagnose using DSM nomenclature, treat and manage mental health and/or substance abuse problems.
Provide clinical supervision and oversight to MSW intern who provide assessments and treatment.
Participate in weekly hospital social services meetings, weekly individual supervision, and facilitate change strategies for patients.
Guide, mentore, and tutor both BSW and MSW students in internship programs.
Assist individual in developing and practicing the skills define on their psychiatric rehabilitation plans.
Follow patients throughout hospitalization, working closely with attending psychiatrist; involve in family, individual and group treatment.

Social staff worker vs psychiatric social worker skills

Common social staff worker skills

Social Work, 36%
Home Health, 10%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Patients, 7%
Discharge Planning, 6%
Family Therapy, 4%

Common psychiatric social worker skills

Social Work, 23%
Patients, 16%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Discharge Planning, 5%
Mental Health, 4%

Social Staff Worker vs. similar jobs

Social Staff Worker related careers

Social Staff Worker related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Social Staff Worker
Social Staff Worker vs Psychiatric Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs