Social work case manager vs social worker

The differences between social work case managers and social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a social work case manager, becoming a social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, which is higher than the $45,321 average annual salary of a social work case manager.

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

Social work case manager vs social worker overview

	Social Work Case Manager	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$45,321	$50,102
Hourly rate	$21.79	$24.09
Growth rate	12%	9%
Number of jobs	49,793	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	12	2

What does a social work case manager do?

A Social Work Case Manager counsels groups or individuals in dealing with chronic illness, loss of a loved one, or substance abuse. They evaluate the needs of each individual client and maintain detailed records of their progress in the healing process.

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.

Social work case manager vs social worker salary

Social work case managers and social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Social Work Case Manager	Social Worker
Average salary	$45,321	$50,102
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $61,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	San Leandro, CA	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	California	Oregon
Best paying company	Tenet Healthcare	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	Health Care	Government

Differences between social work case manager and social worker education

There are a few differences between a social work case manager and a social worker in terms of educational background:

	Social Work Case Manager	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	California State University - Fullerton	University of Pennsylvania

Social work case manager vs social worker demographics

Here are the differences between social work case managers' and social workers' demographics:

	Social Work Case Manager	Social Worker
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 19.4% Female, 80.6%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%	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	11%	13%

Differences between social work case manager and social worker duties and responsibilities

Social work case manager example responsibilities.

Collaborate with partners including public and private agencies to achieve permanency for children.
Facilitate resource management by making appropriate referrals to community agencies that help patients remain safe and independent in their home environment.
Review inpatient hospital medical records using InterQual criteria to determine that patient admission meet quality and utilization standards.
Adhere to rules and regulations pertinent to inpatient rehabilitation as defined by Medicare/Medicaid and other licensing and accrediting organizations.
Coordinate and schedule in home physician visits and transportation arrangements for patients to receive medical services in hospitals and clinics.
Respond to high volume telephone and walk-in inquiries regarding long-term placement, government entitlements, rehabilitation, and services provide.

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.

Social work case manager vs social worker skills

Common social work case manager skills

Social Work, 38%
Patients, 20%
Social Services, 5%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Acute Care, 4%
Patient Care, 3%

Common social worker skills

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

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Social Work Case Manager
Social Work Case Manager vs Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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