Medical Social Worker Training and Jobs
Training and Education
You'll generally want a bachelor's degree for this career path. Of current medical social workers, 77% graduated from college with degrees. Some 16% of workers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 7% of employees.
Job Overview
Medical social workers work in hospitals, nursing homes and in individual and family services agencies to provide patients with psychosocial help. They connect patients and their families with resources they need in order to deal with whatever condition the patient faces in the best way possible. They often need to work with people from other professions, such as medicine and nursing.
Part-Time and Self Employment
Medical social workers working part-time accounted for 9% of those employed in 2008. Self-employed workers represent an estimated 3% of the total.
Career Videos
Medical Social Workers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | $41,000 | 60 | +53% |
| Auburn | $43,000 | 30 | -21% |
| Birmingham | $43,000 | 540 | +11% |
| Decatur | $42,000 | 60 | +29% |
| Dothan | $39,000 | 90 | +76% |
| Florence | $38,000 | 70 | +55% |
| Gadsden | $44,000 | 60 | +107% |
| Huntsville | $41,000 | 140 | -30% |
| Mobile | $40,000 | 180 | +7% |
| Montgomery | $42,000 | 220 | +42% |
| Tuscaloosa | $41,000 | 180 | +119% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $53,000 | 210 | +32% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingman | $52,000 | 50 | +23% |
| Phoenix | $42,000 | 1,440 | -18% |
| Prescott | $51,000 | 40 | -15% |
| Tucson | $51,000 | 520 | +56% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $39,000 | 130 | -33% |
| Fort Smith | $42,000 | 190 | +66% |
| Hot Springs | $48,000 | 60 | +98% |
| Little Rock | $49,000 | 660 | +95% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $53,000 | 170 | -33% |
| Fresno | $55,000 | 170 | -45% |
| Los Angeles | $56,000 | 2,930 | -27% |
| Merced | $58,000 | 30 | -40% |
| Modesto | $58,000 | 120 | -18% |
| Oakland | $65,000 | 980 | -1% |
| Oxnard | $56,000 | 100 | -65% |
| Redding | $52,000 | 80 | +52% |
| Riverside | $57,000 | 1,180 | -1% |
| Sacramento | $59,000 | 770 | -10% |
| Salinas | $55,000 | 80 | -47% |
| San Diego | $59,000 | 880 | -32% |
| San Francisco | $66,000 | 770 | -22% |
| San Jose | $71,000 | 320 | -64% |
| Santa Ana | $64,000 | 1,240 | -14% |
| Santa Cruz | $53,000 | 90 | +14% |
| Santa Rosa | $57,000 | 140 | -15% |
| Stockton | $62,000 | 180 | -11% |
| Vallejo | $67,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Visalia | $54,000 | 70 | -45% |
| Yuba City | $59,000 | 30 | -7% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $48,000 | 140 | -3% |
| Colorado Springs | $39,000 | 370 | +52% |
| Denver | $47,000 | 1,190 | -4% |
| Fort Collins | $41,000 | 100 | -15% |
| Grand Junction | $39,000 | 50 | +0% |
| Greeley | $45,000 | 100 | +54% |
| Pueblo | $46,000 | 80 | +61% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $65,000 | 330 | -21% |
| Danbury | $60,000 | 90 | +48% |
| Hartford | $56,000 | 920 | +62% |
| New Haven | $65,000 | 380 | +44% |
| Norwich | $56,000 | 140 | +22% |
| Waterbury | $60,000 | 130 | +115% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $42,000 | 150 | +236% |
| Wilmington | $46,000 | 470 | +48% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $63,000 | 1,080 | -55% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $43,000 | 200 | +8% |
| Deltona | $47,000 | 150 | +3% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $51,000 | 570 | -17% |
| Gainesville | $55,000 | 100 | -12% |
| Jacksonville | $46,000 | 500 | -16% |
| Lakeland | $48,000 | 310 | +72% |
| Miami | $45,000 | 1,010 | +4% |
| Naples | $44,000 | 30 | -71% |
| Ocala | $44,000 | 90 | +13% |
| Orlando | $42,000 | 600 | -40% |
| Palm Bay | $45,000 | 110 | -42% |
| Panama City | $45,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Pensacola | $48,000 | 100 | -29% |
| Port St Lucie | $49,000 | 200 | +80% |
| Sarasota | $44,000 | 310 | +30% |
| Sebastian | $48,000 | 50 | +23% |
| Tampa | $46,000 | 890 | -22% |
| West Palm Beach | $45,000 | 420 | -18% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $40,000 | 40 | -27% |
| Athens | $46,000 | 60 | -5% |
| Atlanta | $48,000 | 2,040 | -11% |
| Augusta | $39,000 | 140 | -29% |
| Columbus | $42,000 | 230 | +125% |
| Gainesville | $39,000 | 120 | +93% |
| Macon | $40,000 | 170 | +106% |
| Rome | $41,000 | 50 | +71% |
| Savannah | $52,000 | 170 | +21% |
| Valdosta | $41,000 | 60 | +40% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $59,000 | 400 | -7% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $42,000 | 210 | -17% |
| Coeur Dalene | $44,000 | 90 | +105% |
| Idaho Falls | $59,000 | 30 | -25% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $45,000 | 40 | -36% |
| Champaign | $49,000 | 140 | +49% |
| Chicago | $54,000 | 2,720 | -27% |
| Kankakee | $39,000 | 40 | +15% |
| Peoria | $43,000 | 120 | -26% |
| Rockford | $45,000 | 100 | -24% |
| Springfield | $51,000 | 70 | -30% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 30 | -6% | |
| Bloomington | $43,000 | 90 | +45% |
| Elkhart | $43,000 | 40 | -60% |
| Evansville | $38,000 | 180 | +11% |
| Fort Wayne | $41,000 | 190 | -3% |
| Gary | $47,000 | 210 | -20% |
| Indianapolis | $47,000 | 770 | -13% |
| Lafayette | $40,000 | 90 | +32% |
| Muncie | $36,000 | 50 | +28% |
| South Bend | $42,000 | 180 | +49% |
| Terre Haute | $40,000 | 30 | -51% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $42,000 | 40 | -69% |
| Davenport | $42,000 | 70 | -61% |
| Des Moines | $44,000 | 330 | +3% |
| Iowa City | $47,000 | 160 | +153% |
| Sioux City | $50,000 | 60 | -8% |
| Waterloo | $42,000 | 70 | -10% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $40,000 | 180 | +76% |
| Wichita | $42,000 | 240 | -14% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | $42,000 | 60 | +23% |
| Lexington | $44,000 | 230 | -1% |
| Louisville | $45,000 | 460 | -23% |
| Owensboro | $39,000 | 40 | -2% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $36,000 | 80 | +40% |
| Baton Rouge | $42,000 | 390 | +7% |
| Houma | $47,000 | 40 | -54% |
| Lafayette | $49,000 | 90 | -33% |
| Lake Charles | $42,000 | 70 | -13% |
| Monroe | $35,000 | 90 | +31% |
| New Orleans | $52,000 | 320 | -39% |
| Shreveport | $42,000 | 140 | -18% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $46,000 | 80 | +48% |
| Lewiston | $48,000 | 80 | +83% |
| Portland | $45,000 | 230 | +20% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $60,000 | 1,850 | +42% |
| Bethesda | $63,000 | 420 | -26% |
| Cumberland | $53,000 | 60 | +94% |
| Hagerstown | $53,000 | 100 | +12% |
| Salisbury | $55,000 | 80 | +71% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $52,000 | 450 | +392% |
| Brockton | $51,000 | 410 | +398% |
| Framingham | $51,000 | 240 | +55% |
| Haverhill | $56,000 | 170 | +128% |
| Lawrence | $48,000 | 480 | +813% |
| Leominster | $45,000 | 290 | +578% |
| Lowell | $56,000 | 250 | +123% |
| New Bedford | $57,000 | 290 | +404% |
| Peabody | $55,000 | 430 | +358% |
| Springfield | $53,000 | 1,150 | +297% |
| Worcester | $53,000 | 1,020 | +319% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek | $51,000 | 30 | -33% |
| Bay City | $44,000 | 50 | +86% |
| Detroit | $47,000 | 4,170 | +530% |
| Flint | $53,000 | 190 | +56% |
| Grand Rapids | $47,000 | 310 | -16% |
| Jackson | $53,000 | 50 | +19% |
| Kalamazoo | $44,000 | 140 | +10% |
| Lansing | $59,000 | 190 | 0% |
| Muskegon | $46,000 | 40 | -18% |
| Niles | $45,000 | 70 | +37% |
| Saginaw | $52,000 | 90 | +21% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $49,000 | 150 | +23% |
| Mankato | $48,000 | 30 | -39% |
| Minneapolis | $53,000 | 1,360 | -23% |
| Rochester | $59,000 | 100 | +6% |
| St Cloud | $44,000 | 110 | +25% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $44,000 | 100 | +1% |
| Hattiesburg | $33,000 | 210 | +317% |
| Jackson | $40,000 | 460 | +87% |
| Pascagoula | $40,000 | 60 | +51% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $35,000 | 50 | +31% |
| Columbia | $42,000 | 100 | +38% |
| Kansas City | $43,000 | 1,110 | +10% |
| Springfield | $36,000 | 270 | +48% |
| St Louis | $45,000 | 2,410 | +81% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $53,000 | 70 | -8% |
| Missoula | $38,000 | 90 | +97% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $41,000 | 220 | +45% |
| Omaha | $44,000 | 470 | +1% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | $64,000 | 50 | +138% |
| Las Vegas | $66,000 | 500 | -41% |
| Reno | $58,000 | 140 | -23% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $63,000 | 60 | -37% |
| Nashua | $53,000 | 50 | -61% |
| Rochester | $45,000 | 60 | +28% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $52,000 | 60 | -56% |
| Camden | $55,000 | 430 | -17% |
| Edison | $56,000 | 830 | -19% |
| Newark | $55,000 | 620 | -38% |
| Trenton | $56,000 | 170 | -22% |
| Vineland | $53,000 | 50 | -6% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $46,000 | 210 | -44% |
| Farmington | $37,000 | 70 | +63% |
| Las Cruces | $40,000 | 100 | +76% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $47,000 | 580 | +31% |
| Binghamton | $52,000 | 110 | +5% |
| Buffalo | $45,000 | 640 | +17% |
| Elmira | $58,000 | 40 | +25% |
| Glens Falls | $47,000 | 30 | -34% |
| Kingston | $56,000 | 60 | +12% |
| Nassau | $60,000 | 1,140 | -9% |
| New York | $57,000 | 6,270 | +21% |
| Poughkeepsie | $51,000 | 160 | -33% |
| Rochester | $42,000 | 520 | +4% |
| Syracuse | $42,000 | 250 | -18% |
| Utica | $46,000 | 120 | +3% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $43,000 | 260 | +54% |
| Burlington | $46,000 | 30 | -40% |
| Charlotte | $44,000 | 560 | -34% |
| Durham | $52,000 | 310 | +16% |
| Fayetteville | $41,000 | 70 | -41% |
| Goldsboro | $44,000 | 50 | +46% |
| Greensboro | $42,000 | 300 | -14% |
| Greenville | $44,000 | 120 | +99% |
| Hickory | $40,000 | 110 | -21% |
| Raleigh | $45,000 | 310 | -39% |
| Rocky Mount | $44,000 | 60 | +18% |
| Wilmington | $44,000 | 100 | -22% |
| Winston Salem | $43,000 | 280 | +38% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $39,000 | 90 | +55% |
| Fargo | $41,000 | 80 | -30% |
| Grand Forks | $40,000 | 70 | +68% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $46,000 | 430 | +37% |
| Canton | $44,000 | 110 | -31% |
| Cincinnati | $47,000 | 950 | -6% |
| Cleveland | $50,000 | 1,760 | +73% |
| Columbus | $46,000 | 1,110 | +22% |
| Dayton | $45,000 | 640 | +71% |
| Lima | $46,000 | 50 | +10% |
| Mansfield | $46,000 | 50 | +11% |
| Sandusky | $48,000 | 60 | +107% |
| Springfield | $40,000 | 70 | +69% |
| Toledo | $46,000 | 350 | +22% |
| Youngstown | $32,000 | 470 | +115% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $32,000 | 40 | +16% |
| Oklahoma City | $44,000 | 430 | -25% |
| Tulsa | $40,000 | 230 | -46% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $53,000 | 50 | -11% |
| Eugene | $49,000 | 190 | +43% |
| Medford | $49,000 | 80 | +14% |
| Portland | $58,000 | 840 | -17% |
| Salem | $52,000 | 70 | -50% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $44,000 | 400 | +18% |
| Altoona | $42,000 | 80 | +49% |
| Erie | $40,000 | 110 | -9% |
| Harrisburg | $46,000 | 420 | +34% |
| Johnstown | $39,000 | 70 | +42% |
| Lancaster | $45,000 | 220 | -3% |
| Lebanon | $47,000 | 50 | +28% |
| Philadelphia | $50,000 | 3,660 | +93% |
| Pittsburgh | $42,000 | 1,350 | +19% |
| Reading | $43,000 | 150 | -6% |
| Scranton | $39,000 | 310 | +22% |
| State College | $35,000 | 50 | -10% |
| Williamsport | $36,000 | 100 | +123% |
| York | $44,000 | 140 | -17% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $55,000 | 1,070 | +94% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $45,000 | 50 | +1% |
| Charleston | $52,000 | 410 | +46% |
| Columbia | $42,000 | 620 | +81% |
| Florence | $42,000 | 110 | +53% |
| Greenville | $40,000 | 400 | +37% |
| Myrtle Beach | $48,000 | 70 | -31% |
| Spartanburg | $49,000 | 50 | -53% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $41,000 | 50 | -12% |
| Sioux Falls | $43,000 | 160 | +22% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $40,000 | 270 | +23% |
| Clarksville | $32,000 | 40 | -44% |
| Jackson | $40,000 | 40 | -23% |
| Johnson City | $39,000 | 50 | -23% |
| Kingsport | $37,000 | 90 | -21% |
| Knoxville | $42,000 | 420 | +29% |
| Memphis | $50,000 | 820 | +34% |
| Nashville | $49,000 | 730 | -1% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $41,000 | 110 | +96% |
| Amarillo | $45,000 | 50 | -49% |
| Austin | $44,000 | 360 | -54% |
| Beaumont | $44,000 | 90 | -41% |
| Brownsville | $43,000 | 190 | +55% |
| College Station | $51,000 | 50 | -41% |
| Corpus Christi | $45,000 | 130 | -24% |
| Dallas | $47,000 | 1,130 | -46% |
| El Paso | $56,000 | 340 | +28% |
| Fort Worth | $52,000 | 540 | -37% |
| Houston | $58,000 | 1,550 | -41% |
| Killeen | $47,000 | 70 | -42% |
| Laredo | $43,000 | 30 | -58% |
| Longview | $38,000 | 90 | +3% |
| Lubbock | $50,000 | 220 | +86% |
| Mcallen | $57,000 | 200 | -10% |
| Midland | $57,000 | 50 | -10% |
| San Angelo | $51,000 | 40 | +14% |
| San Antonio | $50,000 | 680 | -21% |
| Sherman | $64,000 | 50 | +43% |
| Texarkana | $49,000 | 50 | +5% |
| Tyler | $48,000 | 110 | +33% |
| Victoria | $51,000 | 40 | -3% |
| Waco | $48,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Wichita Falls | $41,000 | 40 | -18% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $45,000 | 40 | -2% |
| Ogden | $48,000 | 140 | -27% |
| Provo | $49,000 | 170 | +5% |
| Salt Lake City | $51,000 | 530 | -12% |
| St George | $51,000 | 60 | +53% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $59,000 | 50 | -52% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $46,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Lynchburg | $42,000 | 60 | -34% |
| Richmond | $48,000 | 480 | -21% |
| Roanoke | $45,000 | 180 | +22% |
| Virginia Beach | $48,000 | 440 | -41% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $39,000 | 80 | +21% |
| Bremerton | $50,000 | 80 | +6% |
| Kennewick | $49,000 | 70 | -24% |
| Mount Vernon | $57,000 | 50 | +32% |
| Olympia | $57,000 | 90 | -1% |
| Seattle | $57,000 | 1,360 | -3% |
| Spokane | $49,000 | 270 | +37% |
| Tacoma | $52,000 | 500 | +95% |
| Wenatchee | $58,000 | 50 | +53% |
| Yakima | $52,000 | 80 | +5% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $41,000 | 200 | +45% |
| Huntington | $49,000 | 150 | +42% |
| Morgantown | $39,000 | 190 | +309% |
| Parkersburg | $47,000 | 100 | +64% |
| Wheeling | $48,000 | 60 | +4% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $50,000 | 70 | -35% |
| Eau Claire | $44,000 | 240 | +261% |
| Fond | $45,000 | 80 | +120% |
| Green Bay | $47,000 | 180 | +12% |
| Janesville | $42,000 | 60 | +7% |
| La Crosse | $50,000 | 250 | +288% |
| Madison | $49,000 | 310 | -6% |
| Milwaukee | $49,000 | 1,040 | +26% |
| Oshkosh | $30,000 | 230 | +187% |
| Racine | $51,000 | 40 | -40% |
| Wausau | $55,000 | 40 | -32% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casper | $48,000 | 50 | +64% |
*FOOTNOTES: Job Facts salary and numbers data is based on US Department of Labor Statistics data for 2011. Other data on page may be from earlier years. Typical salary is given as median salary, where 50% in the job make more and 50% less. Salary range is Job Hunt's estimates of typical starting salary as being at the 10th percentile of reported pay and typical top end salary, for the most senior workers, as being at the 90th. Job openings is an estimate of new jobs every year due to growth plus those leaving the field. Where NA is given data is not available. Suggested studies is based on Job Hunt research, suggesting a minimum degree level that is judged to offer the best opportunities for entry-level employment. This Medical and Public Health Social Workers schools and career page was originally researched by CityTownInfo.com.