With a growing population and a strong emphasis on social services, the demand for skilled social workers is higher than ever.
If you’re an aspiring social worker considering Raleigh, North Carolina, as your future home, this post offers an overview of the various job prospects, salary expectations, and educational pathways available to social workers in this city. From local non-profits and government agencies to healthcare settings and schools, Raleigh offers a diverse array of environments where social workers can make a meaningful impact.
We’ll also dive into the benefits of earning an MSW, including the potential for higher salaries and specialized roles, as well as breaking down key questions like:
- What does it mean to go to an “accredited university”?
- Do I need an MSW to become a social worker?
- Do I need a bachelor’s degree to become a social worker?
- Do I need a professional license?
- How much can I earn as a social worker in Raleigh, North Carolina?
Finally, you’ll be able to get a sense of the salary ranges for social workers in the City of Oaks, based on up-to-date information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Welcome to Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, North Carolina boasts a population of around 480,000 and is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and vibrant culture. It’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. and is part of the famous Research Triangle (comprised of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), making it a hub for tech and education with institutions like NC State University.
With its mix of historic charm and modern amenities, Raleigh’s downtown area is bustling with restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions, including museums like the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Museum of Art. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the numerous parks and green spaces, such as the expansive William B. Umstead State Park, perfect for hiking, biking, and picnicking. Plus, Raleigh’s central location in North Carolina means you’re just a short drive away from both the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the stunning Atlantic coast. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or an outdoor adventurer, Raleigh has something to offer everyone.
Careers in Social Work: What Kinds of Jobs Can A Social Worker in Raleigh, NC Do?
As a social worker, your career path can be as diverse and dynamic as the people you serve. Whether you’re passionate about supporting children and families, helping immigrants and the unhoused locate jobs and housing, caring for the elderly, or advocating for people from disadvantaged communities navigating the healthcare system, there’s likely a role out there that’s perfect for you.
Social work takes many forms, meaning that are a number of entry points for prospective employees with a huge range of skills.
If your strong suit is in writing, then pursuing a line of work in a non-profit as a grant writer could be a wonderful application of your skill set as a social worker. If you’re more comfortable with real-time response and being fast on your feet, supporting community members craft disaster-relief strategies and offering on-the-ground emergency psychological support could be another, equally useful approach. Or, if you’re a gifted networker with a knack for public speaking, becoming a spokesperson for the community as a policy advocate is another critical role social workers can play to improve lives for people living in disadvantaged communities.
With a Master’s in Social Work (MSW), you can dive deeper into specialized areas, such as working in hospitals to support patients and their families, or in schools to help students navigate personal and academic challenges. You might find yourself in a non-profit organization, designing and implementing community programs, or advocating for policy changes to improve social services. Whether you’re on the front lines providing direct support or behind the scenes shaping policies, your work as a social worker is vital to building stronger, healthier communities.
Clinical Social Workers in Raleigh, NC
Of all of the professions for social workers in Raleigh, North Carolina, clinical social workers have the highest earning potential, with a top threshold of more than $89,000 per year.
If you’re interested in becoming a clinical social worker, what exactly does that mean? And what’s the difference between a clinical social worker and a non-clinical social worker?
Being a clinical social worker involves providing front-line therapeutic services to individuals, families, and groups dealing with a range of mental health issues, emotional challenges, and behavioral problems. Clinical social workers have been trained to employ various therapeutic techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis, to help clients manage their conditions and improve their quality of life. Clinical social workers are qualified to provide diagnoses, develop mental health treatment plans, and facilitate group therapy sessions, and often work in settings like hospitals, private practices, mental health clinics, and schools.
The key difference between a clinical social worker and a general social worker lies in their scope of practice and level of training. While both types of social workers support individuals and communities, clinical social workers have advanced training in mental health treatment, typically holding a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) with a clinical focus and state licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This licensure allows them to provide psychotherapy and counseling services, which general social workers, who may work in roles such as case management, policy advocacy, grant writing, or community outreach, are not typically authorized to perform. This specialized training and licensure are what enable clinical social workers to command higher salaries and take on more complex cases involving mental health issues.
How Can I Get Licensed as a Social Worker in Raleigh, NC?
To start, you’ll need to earn a Bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). If you’re aiming for clinical roles or higher-level positions, the next step is to pursue a Master’s degree in social work (MSW), also from a CSWE-accredited program. For more about accreditation, see the below section, “MSWs: Social Work Degrees in Raleigh, NC.” An MSW, DSW (Doctor of Social Work), or PhD in social work is required to apply to be a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Upon getting your graduate degree to whichever level you choose, you’ll need to accumulate supervised work experience. This is usually several thousand hours of supervised clinical practice over a minimum of two years. During this period, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience under the guidance of a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). After meeting these requirements, you can apply to take the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical Exam. Passing this exam is your ticket to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in North Carolina.
Rules for licensure as a social worker vary from state to state. In order to ensure that you are pursuing licensure using the most up-to-date information, please visit the website of the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board.
MSWs: Social Work Degrees in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh is home to several respected universities offering MSW programs, including North Carolina State University (NC State) and the nearby University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill). Both institutions provide students with a solid foundation in social work theories, research methods, and practical skills necessary for effective practice.
These MSW programs typically include coursework on human behavior, social policy, clinical practice, and community organization. Students also participate in field placements, which allow them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings under the supervision of experienced professionals. These placements are invaluable for gaining practical experience and for building a professional network. (For more on field placements, see the below section, “Social Work Internships and Fieldwork in Raleigh.”)
When selecting your university, it is vital to ensure that the institution is accredited. Accreditation guarantees that your program adheres to the rigorous academic and professional standards set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is crucial for both your education quality and eligibility for licensure. Accreditation is also essential for licensure: graduates from non-accredited programs may not be eligible to become licensed social workers. (For more on why a license could be important to your role in social work, see the above section, “Clinical Social Workers in Raleigh, NC,” and its sub-section, “How Can I Get Licensed as a Social Worker?”.)
Online MSW programs are also an excellent option for prospective students in need of greater flexibility due to financial, familial, personal, or other constraints – these are great options if searching “social work masters programs near me” is not top priority.
Many universities, including NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill, offer respected online or hybrid MSW programs that allow students to complete coursework remotely while fulfilling field placement requirements locally. These programs maintain the same high standards as their on-campus counterparts and provide the same level of education and preparation for a successful career in social work.
Do I Need A College Degree to Pursue Social Work?
A bachelor’s degree is required for many entry-level positions in the field. While it is possible that you may find entry-level work in social work without a bachelor’s degree, many positions are seeking applicants with not only a bachelor’s degree but a Master’s in Social Work (MSW), a degree that one must already have a bachelor’s degree to pursue.
Some MSW programs do not require applicants to already have a bachelor’s degree in social work. That means that if you have a bachelor’s degree in a different, but related, field, like sociology, psychology, or education, you may still be eligible to apply directly to an MSW program, rather than having to get a second bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate (or post-bac), which helps you get certain credentials after already obtaining a bachelor’s degree.
If you’re aiming for clinical roles, higher-level positions, or specialized areas of practice, an MSW opens up more advanced career opportunities and is necessary for licensure as a clinical social worker. If you are interested in upward mobility in social work and/or the opportunity for higher salaries, advanced education is a strong way to ensure that you are a competitive, qualified applicant for coveted social work positions. (For more on clinical social work and licensing, see the above section, “Clinical Social Workers in Raleigh, NC” and its sub-section, “How Can I Get Licensed As A Social Worker?”.)
Social Work Internships and Fieldwork in Raleigh, NC
Social work internships – sometimes referred to as “fieldwork” – are often essential components of MSW programs, providing students with hands-on experience in real-world settings.
These practical experiences are designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their careers. Typically, MSW programs require students to complete two years of fieldwork, with the first year focusing on more general explorations of different positions one can have as a social worker, developing foundational skills in assessment, intervention, and case management. During the second year of an MSW program, internships typically focus on specialized practice, allowing students to dive deeper into their areas of interest and develop advanced skills.
By definition, social work internships and field work take place in precisely the settings in which social work, in its many forms, also occurs. This means that your fieldwork and/or internship could include shadowing and learning from professionals in workplaces like:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities
- Schools and educational institutions
- Mental health clinics
- Child welfare agencies
- Non-profit organizations
- Government agencies
- Community outreach programs
- Substance abuse treatment centers
- Hospice and palliative care settings
- Correctional facilities
Social Worker Salaries in Raleigh
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a wide range in salaries for social workers in the United States, with employees in this field earning anywhere from $32,730 to $97,280 annually. Based on this data, healthcare social workers in Raleigh have the highest earning potential, with a top threshold of over $89,000 per year.
The table below offers a glimpse into the range of salaries—from the bottom 10% of earners to the top 10% of earners—available to social workers in Raleigh across four categories. The final category, “Social Workers (All Other),” is broad enough that it may include such diverse positions as community organizers, homeless shelter workers, corrections social workers, grant writers, and crisis hotline counselors.
Social Work Specialty | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $39,490 | $47,450 | $57,300 | $66,390 | $80,550 |
Healthcare Social Workers | $48,480 | $60,180 | $65,530 | $77,970 | $89,230 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $36,790 | $42,350 | $50,620 | $61,770 | $67,930 |
Social Workers (All Other) | $43,740 | $46,700 | $58,460 | $64,340 | $88,770 |
Table data taken from 2023 BLS reports for the Raleigh metropolitan area.
2023 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 June 2024.