Where Are Social Workers Employed?

The majority of this country’s (365,000+) social workers are employed in the areas of family and children’s services; alcohol and other drug abuse; mental health; health; aging; and industry, business, and labor. Career opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • community mental health agencies
  • public welfare agencies
  • adoption and foster care agencies
  • home-based services
  • colleges
  • schools
  • hospitals
  • nursing homes and retirement centers
  • residential treatment centers
  • substance abuse treatment centers
  • private practice
  • employee assistance programs
  • juvenile and adult justice systems
  • homeless shelters and housing programs, and
  • hospice.

Within these areas, social workers perform a variety of roles in direct practice, management, community development and fundraising.