Child, Family, and School Social Workers

SOC code 21-1021 · O*NET-SOC 21-1021.00 · Considerable preparation needed

Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$59,550

a year

Hourly

$28.63

per hour

10th$42,280Median$59,55090th$95,530

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$64,000

$30.77 per hour

Middle 50%

$48,270 – $76,070

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$42,280 – $95,530

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

392,550

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $42,280; $20.33/hr
25th percentile: $48,270; $23.21/hr
Median percentile: $59,550; $28.63/hr
75th percentile: $76,070; $36.57/hr
90th percentile: $95,530; $45.93/hr

What do child, family, and school social workers do?

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise teachers.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Place children in foster or adoptive homes, institutions, or medical treatment centers.
Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
Recommend temporary foster care and advise foster or adoptive parents.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Counsel students whose behavior, school progress, or mental or physical impairment indicate a need for assistance, diagnosing students' problems and arranging for needed services.
Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 69% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

See all zone 4 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Bachelor's Degree69%
Master's Degree26%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6%

Common questions

How much does a child, family, and school social workers earn?

The national median is $59,550 a year. The full range runs from $42,280 at the 10th percentile to $95,530 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a child, family, and school social workers without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening4.9/5
Speaking4.5/5
Critical Thinking4.1/5
Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Monitoring3.9/5
Writing3.8/5

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
Psychology4.1/5
Therapy and Counseling4.1/5
English Language3.8/5
Administrative3.6/5
Sociology and Anthropology3.4/5
Education and Training3.3/5
Law and Government3.1/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving.