Social worker vs licensed social worker

The differences between social workers and licensed 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 social worker and a licensed social worker. Additionally, a licensed social worker has an average salary of $57,005, which is higher than the $50,102 average annual salary of a social worker.

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

Social worker vs licensed social worker overview

	Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Yearly salary	$50,102	$57,005
Hourly rate	$24.09	$27.41
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	77,340	66,130
Job satisfaction	4.5	2
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

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.

What does a licensed social worker do?

Licensed Social Workers are duly and legally recognized to carry out activities related to social work. They identify individuals or groups of people in need and assess what kind of help they require. They may assist these people in connecting to agencies that would cater to their needs. Licensed Social Workers also help people cope with their challenges. They are responsible for crafting treatment plans or well-being improvement plans for the individuals they help. They may also be called on during times of crisis to provide emotional support to the individuals involved.

Social worker vs licensed social worker salary

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

	Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Average salary	$50,102	$57,005
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $67,000	Between $41,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	Portland, OR	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	Oregon	Alaska
Best paying company	Health Advocates	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between social worker and licensed social worker education

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

	Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Social Work	Social Work
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Social worker vs licensed social worker demographics

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

	Social Worker	Licensed Social Worker
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%	Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9%
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 social worker and licensed social worker duties and responsibilities

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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Licensed social worker example responsibilities.

Foster self-determination of patients by evaluating for vocational rehabilitation that includes employment, volunteering, or education opportunities.
Evaluate and provide psychotherapy services to patients diagnose with serious and persistent mental illness and/or chemical dependency within an inpatient setting.
Provide clinical supervision to MSW students.
Supervise and train MSW students during their final concentration practicum.
Plan and facilitate trainings that address trauma exposure and the impact of compassion fatigue on administrative staff.
Provide medically relate social services to residents in a sub-acute, short term rehabilitation unit.

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Social worker vs licensed social worker skills

Common social worker skills

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

Common licensed social worker skills

Social Work, 29%
Patients, 13%
Home Health, 11%
Rehabilitation, 5%
Substance Abuse, 5%
Crisis Intervention, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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