The articles cited a new Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce study that said students who major in social work, visual and performing arts, and theology can expect to earn less than those majoring in engineering, computer science or business.

We take issue with using the term “fluffy” in the headlines (To read the Times article click here and to read the Washington Post item click here).

Social workers get years of education and training to help people overcome life’s hurdles. This includes veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, school students who are homeless or have disabilities, children who have been removed from the homes of people with poor parental skills, and patients with grave illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

There is nothing soft or fluffy about  helping people overcome such issues. It takes a strong, resourceful and intelligent person to do that.

Secondly, the Georgetown University study only looked at earnings for people who earned a bachelor’s in social work. The National Association of Social Workers Center for Workforce Studies did a 2010 report on salaries that included social workers with master’s degrees.

The NASW study, which includes master’s degrees,  puts the median annual salary for all social workers at $55,000 a year. The Georgetown University study put the median salary for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work at $39,000.

To learn more about what kinds of jobs social workers do and what they earn visit the National Association of Social Workers’ Center for Workforce Studies by clicking here.

The Huffington Post printed her entire response. Whitaker said a NASW survey, which included social workers with master’s degrees, found higher median salary levels for social workers. Still, Whitaker said the NASW is pushing for higher wages for social workers.

To read the full response click here.

Photo courtesy of Huffington Post.

Social work was recently listed in this article on Huffington Post as one of the worst paying college degrees. That generated a healthy response from social workers who left dozens of comments on the Huffington Web site as well as the National Association of Social Workers’ Facebook page.

 The National Association of Social Workers is sending this response to Huffington Post:

 The National Association of Social Workers is concerned with salary information posted in the Huffington piece, which cited Payscale data. Payscale, which limited its data collection to social workers with bachelor’s degrees, listed the starting median salary for a social worker at $33,400 and $41,600 for a mid-career social worker.

However, those median salary levels are below those in a new National Association of Social Workers Compensation Study, which includes data from social workers with master’s degrees. That study puts the median annual salary for all social workers at $55,000 a year.

Social workers with less than five years experience earn a median annual salary of $43,700; those with 10- 19 years of experience earn a median annual salary of $52,000; and those with 20 -29 years of experience earn a median annual salary of $60,000, according to the NASW study.

To read a summary of the salary report click here.

You can find social workers in all areas of society. For instance, they help veterans who have risked their lives for our nation get the benefits they need, counsel families in crisis, and help keep children safe. Many social workers say the good they bring into the lives of others is far more important than getting rich.

However, there is no question social workers should be paid more for the invaluable work they do. That is why NASW supports Congressional passage of the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young Social Worker Reinvestment Act, which would secure federal and state investment in the social work profession.

We would also like to point out that social work is one of the fastest growing fields in the United States, according to Labor Department data. And a May U.S. News and World Report article said medical and public health social work will be one of the 50 best careers in 2010 and beyond.

Judgments on the monetary value of certain careers are always subjective. Thank goodness many people continue to choose life-affirming careers such as social work despite the naysayers.

Sincerely,

Tracy Whitaker, DSW, ACSW
Director, Center for Workforce Studies and Social Work Practice
National Association of Social Workers

A CNNMoney.com headline depicts social work and several related careers as “stressful jobs that pay badly.”  However, the actual article highlighted the dedication of social workers and how they provide valuable services to families and their communities. And back in August a CNN article advised readers to pursue a career in patient advocate social work because that line of work is expected to grow 24 percent. Photo of social worker Heather Griffith courtesy of CNNMoney.com.

Social Workers, what do you think?  Leave your comment and join the discussion below.