How can I make a living off a social work masters

How can I make a living off a social work masters?
I am starting college next year and am planning on majoring in social work and then going on to get my masters. But I also want to make a living. I know I'm not going to get rich...but what kind of jobs in social work make $60,000 plus? I'm also considering a double major in criminal justice and becoming a social worker in that area.
Higher Education (University +) - 4 Answers

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1
Not only is this profession not known for getting rich, it's known for being very poorly paid. As much as public school teachers and police officers complain about their pay being too low - social workers tend to earn even less. Only the top 10% of all social workers earn over $60K according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook. http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm These are likely the social workers with significant experience in the field. Median for all social workers is only $43,580 and some specialties have a median $10K less than that. If $60K income is your primary motivation then you might want to consider Engineering, Computer Science/IT, or the business specialties. Alternatively, you could get your bachelor's in social work (BSW) and then get an MPA (Master of Public Administration) and then, after some work experience, move into the administration of social services. Those people make good money but it requires years of experience and a master's degree.


2
I have worked as a social worker all my life and have made a good living. I worked in Canada and Australia and in my last job earned over $70,000 pa. The salaries tended to be award based, and when a worker has several years experience ,they increase. There is always work to be had as a lot of people don't last as it is not an easy job, in any field. Management opportunities are always there, however. I chose not to do this path, as I liked the human contact stuff. Now I am retired and have a reasonable Superannuation, but I can always get a part time locum, or work a private practice. So it is flexible.Very rewarding work, can be quite exciting and dramatic - never boring!


3
The answers here are all right, it is a lower paying field, but it can pay well, it depends on your experience, who you work for, who is funding the agency, whether you are working directly for the goverment. Specifically, which jobs earn the most? *giggles*, youve made me laugh, ive been in the field for a few years now and would like to know the same. The more experience you have, and the more education you have, the more places will be bidding to hire you, at that point you can be choosey as to where you work, and make the decision to work for a higher paying position, or a lower paying position that in all honestly, youll probably like more!


4
Your best chance of getting a higher paid social work job would be to either go into administration or to become a social work professor. Alternatively, if you work entirely in private practice, you can make 60K plus a year.