Health care social workers in California are among the highest paid in the nation and have the greatest number of opportunities for employment in this rewarding career.
The Golden State is home to a diverse population with unique mental and physical health needs. Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) provide support and services to people and families of all ages and from all walks of life.
In the wake of COVID-19 and the recent surge in opioid and fentanyl overdose deaths, the California Department of Health has committed to addressing the state’s top public health crises and is working with local communities, health jurisdictions, and community partners to educate and protect Californians.
According to The 2023 CHCF California Health Policy Survey, more than 54% of Californians experienced at least one negative interaction with a health care provider in the last few years, with Black (69%) and Latino/x (62%) Californians more likely than White and Asian (48% each) Californians to report having negative experiences.
What Do Health Care Social Workers Do?
Health care social workers — LCSWs in California — provide emotional support, counseling, and resource coordination to patients in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. They assist patients and their families with medical decisions according to their wishes and circumstances.
Among the many responsibilities shouldered by medical social workers are advocacy and transition assistance. A typical day in the life of a health care social worker involves:
- Assessment of psychosocial needs. Health care social workers in California conduct comprehensive assessments of the psychosocial needs of patients to determine the most effective care plan.
- Counseling and emotional support. LCSWs support patients and families through the emotional and psychological challenges associated with their illness or injury.
- Resource coordination. Health care social work professionals connect patients with community resources, financial assistance, and support groups.
- Collaboration with medical teams. Health care social workers in California work with medical teams to develop and implement comprehensive, holistic care plans that enhance patient outcomes.
- Discharge planning. Health care social workers assist medical professionals with discharge planning to facilitate the transition from the hospital to the patient’s home and ensure appropriate follow-up care.
- Specialized expertise. Some health care social workers in California specialize in oncology, pediatrics, mental health, or other health care fields to provide these specific patients with focused expertise and experience.
In addition to the hard skills needed to serve patients and their families, medical social workers demonstrate certain traits that allow them to provide high-quality care and support and improve patient outcomes.
These characteristics include:
- Empathy
- Active listening skills
- Cultural competence
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Advocacy skills
- Ethical integrity
- Collaborative mindset
- Patience
- Time management
- Self-care
- Critical thinking skills
Health Care Social Worker Salaries in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in May 2022, the mean annual wage for health care social workers in California was $88,380, the highest in the United States, where the top 90 percent of workers earned $87,830 per year.
California also had the second highest number of health care social workers and took each of the top ten highest paying metropolitan areas, with San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA paying an annual mean wage of $109,530.
The annual income of health care social workers in California can vary significantly based on various factors. Knowing these factors will help you make informed career decisions.
- Education - Health care social workers with a master's degree in social work (MSW) tend to earn more than those with a bachelor's degree.
- Specialization – Social workers who specialize in a specific area, such as gerontology, oncology, or substance use disorders, may command higher salaries due to their focused knowledge and expertise.
- Experience - Like most professions, health care social work rewards experienced practitioners with higher salaries. Social work clinicians with more years in the field typically earn higher wages in California.
- Geographic Location - California is known for its regional variations in the cost of living and demand for health care professionals. Salaries in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other urban areas are higher than those in rural regions.
- Type of Employer - Health care social workers in California can find employment in various health care institutions, including hospitals, outpatient care centers, and government agencies. Salaries may differ based on the type of employer.
California’s Requirements for Becoming a Health Care Social Worker
Becoming a health care social worker in California typically requires a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in social work from an accredited institution, a license in clinical social work, and relevant field experience.
Education
To start a career in health care social work, you typically need a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. A BSW program usually takes four years to complete and provides a foundational understanding of social work principles and practices.
Many health care social work positions, especially those in clinical or specialized roles, require a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. MSW programs typically take two years to complete and are offered online and in-person at highly reputable colleges and universities throughout California. You can find MSW programs that are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) on its directory of accredited programs.
Supervised Experience & Field Education
To become an LCSW in California, you will need to complete a certain number of supervised hours working in a social work setting. These hours are typically obtained through an internship or field placement as part of your MSW program.
Licensure
Once you have completed your degree program, you will need to obtain a social work license. The requirements vary depending on the type of license you are pursuing.
California’s Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) oversees social work licensure for the state. Visit the BBS website for information on Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW) and
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensure.
Examination
Once you have completed the required education and supervised experience, you will need to pass the ASWB clinical exam.
Continuing Education
After obtaining your license, you must fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain and renew your license. This includes taking courses and training to stay current with developments in the field.
Specialization and Certification
While not always required, obtaining additional certifications or specialized training can enhance your career prospects and expertise as a health care social worker. For example, you might pursue certification in areas such as gerontology, hospice and palliative care, or mental health care.
Requirements and regulations for California health care social workers can change over time, so be sure to check with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for the latest information regarding licensing and career requirements.
Advancing Your Career as a Health Care Social Worker in California
Health care social workers are empathetic and ambitious people. Once you get your foot in the door, you will likely find that you want to do more for your patients and community. California offers a myriad of opportunities for devoted social work clinicians to broaden their professional horizons and expand their impact.
From private practice, leadership roles, and government agencies to hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and mental health facilities, health care social workers can shape their careers to reflect their personal values by committing to a growth path that’s right for them.
Paths to advancing your career and maximizing your salary include:
- Pursue higher education. Investing in a master's degree in social work (MSW) can open doors to more advanced positions and higher salaries. Many health care employers in California prefer candidates with an MSW.
- Gain experience. The more experience you have, the more you will grow professionally. To become a respected thought leader in your field, you should take every opportunity to build and enhance your skills and knowledge.
- Seek specialization. Specializing in a particular field, such as geriatrics or mental health, can increase your earning potential by making you an expert in a high-demand area.
- Network. Building a professional network within the health care industry can lead to job opportunities and connections that may result in higher paying positions.
- Continue learning. The health care field is constantly evolving. Stay current with best practices and emerging trends by seeking professional education opportunities that are relevant to your field and California’s diverse population. This will help you stay competitive and negotiate a higher salary.
California’s health care system relies on medical social workers to promote patient-centered care, improve patient outcomes, lower the cost of providing services, and nurturing the overall well-being of patients and their families.
With a projected 11 million Californians aged 60 or older and over one million 85 or older by the end of the decade, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom, the demand for health care services will continue to rise — and health care social workers will be a large part of that demand.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, and social workers (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed December 2023.
Discover more about other social work specializations in California.