Going back for your MSW

[otinthefuture]

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How big of a bump in salary do you think one would get if they got their MSW. If you are a Bachelor's level social worker that is...Lets say you make 35-40k and then go back for the MSW.

 

[wigflip]

How big of a bump in salary do you think one would get if they got their MSW. If you are a Bachelor's level social worker that is...Lets say you make 35-40k and then go back for the MSW.

Would a salary bump compensate for the lost salary from the time you'd take off from work to obtain the degree? What about interest on student loans? My MSW preceptor hadn't finished paying his/hers off a decade after graduating. 🙁

 

[Goobernut]

I second Wig's advice of looking at debt to future income. The salary varies widely by state, so I could only give you anecdotal evidence based on the states I've looked at. If you google "median (insert profession here) salary in (insert state here)" you will probably get a more precise idea of the salaries you are curious about.

Some social work programs try to accommodate the working folk by offering alternative times for classes. So there may not be too much lost income if you go that route. Also, for me, I didn't even consider it lost income because I've been so desperate to get out of my previous job/finish my bachelors/find work that actually is enjoyable that the lost income is just a trade off. And I happen to be lucky enough to be in a position to not work for a couple of years. YMMV.

 

[JustNoticing]

It depends on the agency and the line of work I would think. It would likely have the possibility to open up administrative and supervisory positions that may not be available to BA level folk. I know that MSW programs in my area offer part time programs for currently working people, especially if they have BSW's, and let you do your practicum at your current job. If you do this and attend a lower cost institution such as a city or state college, I'd think the degree would certainly pay for itself within a few years. But this also depends on how much your career goals differ from what you are currently doing.

 

[wigflip]

How big of a bump in salary do you think one would get if they got their MSW. If you are a Bachelor's level social worker that is...Lets say you make 35-40k and then go back for the MSW.

I just took a look at the OP's screenname and current student status. It sounds like you're already on a better career path (OT). I think the OT field has a brighter future than social work.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I just took a look at the OP's screenname and current student status. It sounds like you're already on a better career path (OT). I think the OT field has a brighter future than social work.

Why do you think so? Just curious. 🙂

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

I know a few MSWs who don't make $40,000 a year. I know one (in the state of Kansas) who makes around $25,000 per year ($12.00 per hour with frequent overtime).

Since the work that social workers actually do varies so much, social work salaries in turn vary a lot, as well. For someone with her LCSW working in a successful and well-established private practice, you could probably see $70,000 per year (or more), but that's much rarer than a lot of people seem to think/hope.

 

[MBellows]

I know a few MSWs who don't make $40,000 a year. I know one (in the state of Kansas) who makes around $25,000 per year ($12.00 per hour with frequent overtime).

Since the work that social workers actually do varies so much, social work salaries in turn vary a lot, as well. For someone with her LCSW working in a successful and well-established private practice, you could probably see $70,000 per year (or more), but that's much rarer than a lot of people seem to think/hope.

That really hurts my soul. Where I work, our LPC-i's make $150/Day which comes out to around the average of the first two salaries you listed. Then I think over to how much Snooki makes on an interview and it makes me want to vomit.

 

[BlackSkirtTetra]

Snooki is a gift to America and deserves every penny she earns.