Is a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) Worth Earning?

Professional social workers get to experience a rewarding and fulfilling career helping to relieve people’s suffering, fighting for social justice, and improving lives in their communities.

A Master of Social Work (MSW) opens the door to becoming a licensed clinical social worker and the ability to practice independently. But what is an MSW degree, and how can it help aspiring social workers get the most from their careers?

A master’s in social work is an advanced-level degree that prepares students for state licensure with coursework covering human behavior, social welfare policy, ethics, research methods and other vital topics.

Pursuing your online Master of Social Work can take a significant investment of time and money, but the degree can lead to better job opportunities, increased pay, higher quality of practice and the option for specialization. Check out our breakdown of the benefits of an MSW so you can determine if pursuing your advanced social work degree is the right move for your career.

Like with any advanced degree, it’s helpful to consider the financial benefits when considering pursuing your MSW. Weighing the cost of pursuing a graduate-level degree against the potential career benefits can be an important exercise when considering your next move.

Choosing to earn your MSW can be a good financial investment. In the field of social work, there’s a noteworthy difference between potential salaries for bachelor’s-level careers and master’s-educated, licensed careers.

According to the online career resource Indeed.com, the national average salary for licensed clinical social workers is around $84,000, with a salary range extending from about $52,000 to well above $100,000. Meanwhile, the average salary for a bachelor’s-level career like case manager is about $48,000, with a range between about $30,000 and $77,000.

While salaries can vary depending on factors like experience, location of practice and work setting, the trend is clear. Comparing just the averages of those two career options — a difference of about $36,000 — it would take only a year or two to earn enough to make back the cost of most MSW programs.

While pursuing an MSW can be a good financial investment, it’s also helpful to consider the demand and career opportunities for individuals with this degree.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% increase in overall social work employment from 2022 to 2032, a rate roughly double the average projection across all careers nationwide. This indicates that social work skills will continue to be in high demand in the U.S.

While you can pursue some social work-adjacent careers in most states with a bachelor’s degree in social work, a master’s degree is often required for higher-level positions. These are some jobs you can obtain with an MSW:

• Clinical social worker
• Mental health and substance abuse social worker
• Child and family social worker
• Substance abuse counselor
• Policy analyst

Another consideration is where you can work with an MSW. Licensed social workers land jobs in multiple facets of a community, such as schools, public and private agencies, senior centers, private practices, and prisons. Where you work can vary based on your career goals, job availability in your area and specialization.

Some MSW programs also allow you to choose a specialization that aligns with your personal preferences and your previous experience. MSW specializations often include areas like administration, child welfare, developmental disabilities, healthcare, international social work and politics. In programs that don’t offer specializations, students still can build specialized skills through their choice of electives.

When deciding if an MSW right for you, consider your current skill set, your goals and the competencies you’d like to develop.

Social workers are often empathetic and compassionate. They’re excellent listeners and communicators, and they tend to have a passion for problem-solving and possess strong organizational skills. If this sounds like you, a career in social work can be gratifying, allowing you the opportunity to help people in need and do good in your community.

Whether you have no experience in the field, are a seasoned social worker or are a recent or current undergrad, there are various advantages to pursuing your MSW. The credential can lead to a better average salary, a higher level of practice and more senior and autonomous employment opportunities, like management and administration.

If you want to advance your career with a higher-paying social work position while positively impacting your community, an MSW degree might be for you.

The University of Nevada, Reno offers a convenient and flexible online MSW program designed to help you achieve your goals in social work and take your career further.

By pursuing an MSW degree online, you’ll get to choose courses and times that align with your schedule while gaining the knowledge and skills to become a versatile, successful social worker. Learn more about the online MSW program at the University of Nevada, Reno, and discover how it can help you take the next step in your career.