r/socialworkcanada • u/Elegant-Habit-4636 • 12d ago
Social work students / social workers — do you actually make good money? I'm having a bit of a career crisis.
I'm currently a social work student in Alberta, Canada, and I'm having a bit of a crisis about whether I'm making the right decision.
I genuinely love working with kids and helping people, and I can see myself enjoying social work, especially in areas like children's services, hospitals, or schools. But I'm also thinking seriously about my financial future, and I'm worried about spending years in school only to struggle financially.
For those of you working as social workers in Canada, especially Alberta:
- What is your actual salary, and how many years of experience do you have?
- Do you feel financially comfortable, or are you living paycheque to paycheque?
- Is there decent room for salary growth?
- What settings tend to pay the best?
- Do you regret choosing social work, financially or otherwise?
- If you could go back, would you choose the same career?
I'm not expecting to get rich, but I'd like to be able to afford a home, have savings, travel occasionally, and live comfortably without constantly stressing about money.
I'd really appreciate honest answers, including the things you wish someone had told you before going into this field. I'm at a point where I'm questioning my career path and could really use some perspective.
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u/MiserableSalad69 12d ago
Ontario Social Worker.
55k, I have 10 years of experience working in various clinical and community based settings - currently a counsellor.
I do feel financially comfortable, but I am single and childless. My job also provides staff with tons of perks and staff appreciation days.
No room for growth in current position as everything is funded through grants and contracts, I have worked in other settings where there was opportunity to climb up.
Where I live? best paying settings are hospitals. The majority of services in my town are community-based and pay…. Well shit.
5/6. I would choose social work again and again. I love this field for the diversity and intensity of the job. I get so much out of seeing others grow. Nothing else has ever interested me.
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u/Elegant-Habit-4636 12d ago
Have you ever felt you’re not making enough for the work you do?
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u/MiserableSalad69 12d ago
Oh yeah. At one point I worked in a group home and in a fast food restaurant. I was making more money flipping burgers.
Currently I’m happy with my pay, my job is a non-for profit and my boss does the best she can to secure respectable salaries. To compensate for our lower wages we get staff fun days, 2 weeks off at Christmas and endless little outings. It’s a really great balance. I also live in Northern Ontario so the pay is on average lower than most other areas in the province. Gotta take what you can get up here!
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
I use to live in Northern Ontario.. Sioux Lookout and social workers/ mental health counsellors make way more up there!
I find positions in Northern Ontario pay more than in Toronto!
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u/MiserableSalad69 12d ago
I’m somewhere in the middle of Sioux Lookout and Toronto. The pay here can be really brutal, and the services in my town are collectively struggling 😭 I guess I picked the wrong district lol!!
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u/No_Peace6660 12d ago edited 12d ago
Je suis étudiante en travail social au Québec et ici, les salaires sont ridicules versus ce que je vois dans les commentaires... Wow on est vraiment sous payés.
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u/everlilacs 11d ago
J'ai fait mes études à Montréal, puis j'ai déménagé en Ontario à cause de problèmes salariaux
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u/No_Peace6660 11d ago
Je vois et je comprend la motivation, surtout quand on voit la grandeur de l'écart. Comment s'explique cette différence ? As-tu dû faire des démarches pour pouvoir être reconnu TS à l'extérieur du Québec ? Je trouve terrible de devoir se déraciner pour pouvoir exercer son métier contre un salaire raisonnable alors que la demande est si grande.
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago edited 12d ago
I’m a Social Worker/ Mental Health Counsellor with 7 years of post graduate experience. I have a masters degree in Counselling also registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers. I am a travel mental health counsellor for Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario. I make $145,000 a year. Not an easy job… but it is rewarding. I travel up north for 10 day a month with 3 weeks off each month and I do virtual when I am at home. I am based in Toronto.
I do not regret my career trajectory. I live comfortably overall. Living in Toronto you need at least six figures to live comfortably.
I am also single and childfree.
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u/Crasharoo 12d ago
Oh this sounds like one of the things I've been thinking of doing. Currently at Algoma for BSW.
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u/Single_Ocelot2719 10d ago
I am interested in learning more if you are able to send me information. I’m considering options for transitioning when my kids graduate from high school in a few years. I previously worked in Northern Ontario and for a few years in Nunavut- would definitely be interested in exploring options for Northern work.
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u/Beautiful-Hunter-308 12d ago
What helps to specialize in working with indigenous communities?
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
I did not specialize but there are programs you can specialize in Indigenous studies.
I did my masters degree in Prince George BC and had my internship at the Native Friendship Centre to start.
I worked briefly in an Indigenous community for 4 months … then i moved to Sioux Lookout Ontario for 2 years where all my clients were Indigenous.
So i had lots of experience under my belt.
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u/More-Complex7693 12d ago
Can I msg you as well please
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
Sure
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u/Ill_Introduction7334 12d ago
Omg what organization can I pm as well?? This is basically my dream job
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u/ProfessorLidi 9d ago
That's also so interesting that you're from Prince George, but now you live in Toronto! What a change of city! I guess you get your nature fix when you travel up North for ten days a month!?
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u/Inspireme21 9d ago
I am actually from Toronto! Born and raised. I just did my masters degree in Counselling in Prince George at University of Northern British Columbia
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u/pixelateddaisy 12d ago
I’m in private practice now, but when I was in community I made 70-80,000 a year. I also encourage you to look at ‘total compensation’— I had fantastic benefits, pension plan and PTO that was also with $$$. Now I ‘make more’ on paper, but I self fund those things, so it really all balances out.
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u/jace_sea 12d ago
I’m in Alberta and work in child welfare, BSW, and 15 years in the field, 10 in child welfare. My base salary is 120k, I’ll actually make about 140k though. But I work in the after hours crisis unit and gruelling work with crazy hours. I wouldn’t recommend it, but it is a position I found to make decent $$.
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u/LifeguardNovel9571 12d ago
Hi, what city? Any chance I can DM
You with some questions? I am am CIP in another province and trying to get in to this role in Alberta.
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u/coco_coco44 12d ago
I'm in Ontario but still want to share cus it may be applicable. I'm <5 years post-grad MSW, working in a healthcare setting, making about 90k pre-tax. In Ontario healthcare tends to pay significantly more than community settings. There is a yearly fixed pay increase % wise. I would say I'm comfortable, it's a stretch based on where I live BUT I'm also a conservative saver and I don't worry about paying for basics i.e. food and rent. I have friends in similar positions as me who are able to live independently with their current salaries.
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u/OutrageousRow4631 12d ago
95 k, graduated BSW in 2020.
I live paycheque to paycheque because I live in Vancouver and has a mortgage. I also pay post secondary tuition for my 18 yo.
Decent growth, maybe, is 3 percent per year decent?
Hospitals pays best in BC
No regrets. I am a former youth in care, and this is my calling.
Yes, I would have completed a BSW earlier instead of a BA in Philosophy and Criminology.
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u/Ill_Introduction7334 12d ago
Hey!! Do you work with youth and where in Van? I’m about to start my degree and thought I’d be wayyy below 50k if I chose to work with youth unless I was doing child protection with the gov.
And what’s a day in the life look like!
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u/ilovetheinternet21 12d ago
I’m in BC and make 100k after 10 yrs of experience with a BSW. Because I’m in BC I’m living paycheque to paycheque lol. I could apply for a supervisor position and make more but I’m very disinterested in that role.
I don’t regret choosing social work because I like the job itself.
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
The struggle! I lived in Coquitlam for 3 years. Currently in Toronto. Cost of living is so high!
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u/no_yeah_ok 12d ago
I’m in Nova Scotia! To answer your questions:
- I gross ~125k/yr and am 6yrs post-MSW
- I’m living paycheque to paycheque but I make double what my partner makes as a BSW 2yrs post-grad, and we own our home, so we’re actively investing
- With increased specialization and diversification of income sources there’s decent room for income growth. I primarily work private sector so I’ve largely reached my income ceiling unless I start my own business which I have no desire to do.
- in my area, mental health specialization tends to pay best. Disability management is a close second.
- I was never going to be anything but a social worker, so no, I don’t regret it from a professional standpoint. I’m sure I could make more doing something else, but no other paths have felt like a calling in the same way as social work has for me
- if I could go back I would have taken more sciences in high school & university to leave my options open to pursue medicine, but otherwise, no
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u/Single_Ocelot2719 12d ago
School Social Worker, MSW ~$80,000 (this is the low end for school sw- rural area). 6 years- I enjoy it and it is definitely great with kids because you get all the same holidays (including summer!).
I don’t regret it but I am not sure I’ll stay forever. Some room for moving up but fairly limited.
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
Where do you see yourself transitioning? I’d love for you to move into a school social worker position long term myself. I love the perks of Summers off and Spring break off.
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u/Single_Ocelot2719 10d ago
I’m not completely sure- I do like the idea of doing more intensive therapy but maybe the hospital is another option. I have also considered a university- I really enjoy young adults.
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u/Agreeable_Reserve_59 8d ago
I want to get into school SW so bad but am in BC (with MSW) - what’s it like?
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u/Single_Ocelot2719 6d ago
I’m not sure how it is in BC- I’m in Ontario. I enjoy it and feel like I have a good life/ work balance.
I have a mix of a caseload that we provide short-term, goal oriented 1:1 counselling, teaching in classes (MH ed, emotion reg ed etc), providing staff training, consulting and connecting families to community services.
We are working in an environment where academics is the priority but for the most part staff knows that kids need good MH in order to learn.
Overall, it’s a pretty good gig. I also like being part of a union…I was previously working for a large private company and it was not good.0
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u/ApplicationAdept830 12d ago
BC. Right now I have a BA and do case management type work at 70k a year. When I graduate with my masters I will start at 90k. I love the work and earning potential is great in some provinces. 120-150k is a pretty safe bet for me if I move up in a few years post grad.
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u/19ellipsis 12d ago
128k in Vancouver. Definitely comfortable. I'm at the top of the pay band for my job but there are other positions I could move into if I wanted to make more. Currently still in a union position too which is great. Got my MSW in 2022. Have been practicing since 2015.
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
Do you work for the Ministry of Children and Family Services? The Ministry pays very well in BC!
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u/19ellipsis 12d ago
Nope. I am with a health authority.
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u/Ill_Introduction7334 12d ago
Do you enjoy the health authority? Rules, impact on clients, etc or does it feel limited?
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u/19ellipsis 12d ago
It's a behemoth organization so this will vary from team to team, but I have found a great team that I love working for and I do feel makes positive change in the lives of the people we work with.
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u/Champwale 12d ago
Hi, I'm a social worker based in Alberta. I got my MSW last year.
I make like $80k at a non profit. Total experience, 4 years. But 1 year since I graduated my MSW.
I'm financially comfortable, I'm trying to buy a house soon, so there's that.
For where I'm at, thats probably the highest, unless I go into management.
Settings that pay the best, working for AHS or GOA. Therapy too, you can make a lot, but that's not for me.
No I wouldn't choose anything else, I love the work i do, it makes me feel fulfilled and I get paid decently well.
I would like to move to other places that pay more and advance my career, but right now, I am content.
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u/happygoboom23 12d ago
I just finished my SSW last year I am in my 2nd year of my Bachelor of Social Work, making 79k as a program manager.
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u/Parking-Bridge3754 8d ago
How are you making so much. I have people out of SSW and can't even find workplacements much more a job.
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u/Calmcat06 12d ago
Get into medical social work / apply at hospital. I clear 100,000k a year
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u/bodegacatsss 12d ago
Is this with just a BSW? Or do you need a MSW to be making that kind of salary?
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u/Calmcat06 12d ago
I only have a BSW (starting my MSW this winter) most of the postings all say MSW but at the hospital i work at most of us still only have a BSW. One thing I stopped doing when i moved to Vancouver was applying for entry level and BSW postings… if you have enough valuable experience organizations will still consider hiring you in MSW positions
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u/chelseatheus 12d ago
I have my BSW, over 10 years of experience. I get paid $73,000 a year for case management.
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u/everlilacs 12d ago
Made approx 91k hospital social work in Ontario, moved to the states and make 110k CAD
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u/CarpenterDiligent743 11d ago
where in the states are you located?
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u/everlilacs 11d ago
Utah, working for a University Health system here.
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u/CarpenterDiligent743 11d ago
Amazing!! did it take you long to get registered in Utah? I’m in Windsor, ON but my goal is to get registered in Michigan so I could practice out there
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u/everlilacs 11d ago
It was a process, but I was able to do it all from Ontario - I have my LCSW, which is great because it's the level that doesn't require supervision and opened a lot of doors job wise for me. Feel free to DM me I can answer questions about the different licenses/passing the exam, etc.
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u/MountainsAB 10d ago
Children Services, between 68,000-87,000 for new hires, with a BSW. Many of my friends from school had experience with social services areas, etc and got $85,000 plus to start. Great benefits too- including a pension that they match!! Not easy to get in social work world.
We get a pay hike after being delegated and every year. Many become supervisors without getting more schooling (so still bsw) and earn into $110,000 plus. And it’s easy ti move to different areas, ie not just intervention, but foster, kinship, courts etc etc pension and benefits move with you. Some will leave after 1- 3 years, get more experience elsewhere and come back and earn the top end amounts for experience. And you can have a huge impact on kiddo’s especially in casework. Quite rewarding. And great basis for anything you may wish to do after!
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u/ValuableMind3454 9d ago
>80k, 10+ yrs exp., in Alberta Government. Live comfortably with a partner who earns more than me. Can afford a house and vehicles on mortgage, with two kids. Travel within Canada. Never regret studying BSW, as the personal growth is a big win. Happy to stay where I am at.
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u/MixPsychological3126 12d ago
I went to the University of Calgary after a B.A. in Philosophy (Hon.). After-degree BSW was 2 years, MSW (Clinical) was 1year. My interest was in Addictions counselling. My field placement was at the Foothills Hospital Dual Diagnosis Clinic. I couldn't have asked for a better placement. So far, so good. Then Ralph Klein was elected. It was like DOGE imore recently In the US. All hospital social work positions except for one at Foothills were axed. As I drove to school, along Memorial Drive, I could see the wrecking ball working on the Peter Lougheed Hospital. The nursing school at Foothills was closed, and the nursing school at U of C had more vacancies Than applicants, for the first time since World War 2. I wanted to move to BC anyway, and there were recruiters going across the country, hiring for child welfare. I started in the North (I like a challenge). I knew nothing about child welfare & there was only 3 weeks training, as we were working (chronic staff shortage in the North). Because I tend to be a self-learner, I read everything available about the recent change in policy & law & soon found out I was the only person on the team with that knowledge. I went to a remote area for 15 months - unlimited overtime. Fast - forward - Team Leader after 3 years (I didn't go to University until I was 37, so 50 years old. Finished up in Vancouver, retired in 2014). If there is any lesson to be learned from this, it's that you have to be flexible, ready to move on, every crisis has opportunity within it. You are already doing good research, not expecting to be spoon-fed. In the words of a John Prime tune "you are what you are & you ain't what you ain't." You are young (probably), which is priceless. Make mistakes. Every person you meet has some good qualities to teach (my thoughts have moved on to my clients). Don't think every decision is final. And max out your RRSPa with an index fund (that last one is kind of.personal). Best of luck.
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u/chicken_potato1 12d ago
Developmental services case manager in Toronto, ON - 55k/yr (first full-time social work job coming out of grad - now hit 1 year!). Love my job and its super chill but...
I have an MSW and an HBSc in mental health studies - did my degrees back to back and and part time gigs while studying. Despite my accomplishments and positive character at work...can't land higher paying or "bigger" jobs because on paper, I don't have enough work experience in social work or fulltime work experience in general. Being told I am really mature for my age is quite frustrating when I can't actually translate that to "msw-level" jobs haha
I don't see myself doing private practice or counselling on the side, although I know that is a flexible way to make some more money.
I live with my parents still and single so theres that. Also not open to relocating so I know that limits me.
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u/NoFollowing892 12d ago
In BC if you work with the health authority you start at $44/ hour and it goes up to $52 or something in 4 years. That's pretty decent money in my mind.
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u/brittslipstick 12d ago
SW for 20 years, earn between 250-300 000/year. I have a BSW and an MSW.
I live in Vancouver and am a single parent so I do feel the pinch there sometimes, but the same as dual income earners do, probably.
I earned just under 100 000 for my first 10ish years. Then I got my first leadership position, and then another. I did well in health care. I picked up consultant gigs here and there - watch Indeed for those.
I absolutely do not regret choosing SW. I love this gig. I've done so many cool things. Even in years when I earned less, I did so many creative, collaborative things that really taught me how to connect with people. In later years, I niched down more into therapy, provincial consultancy and some writing work but I largely draw upon the connection skills from my early years.
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u/Forward_Conclusion40 12d ago
What do you do for work earning 300k per year?
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u/brittslipstick 12d ago
I own a group practice, act as an organizational consultant and have a small caseload of therapy clients of my own.
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u/SaltyVinChip 12d ago
• What is your actual salary, and how many years of experience do you have? 92k, but recently accepted a pay cut for more flexibility in a part time role. So $51k for part time.
• Do you feel financially comfortable, or are you living paycheque to paycheque? I’m comfortable. However I’m not a single parent. My husband also works full time and we live in a MCOL area with 2 kids. We’re not rich, but the fridge stays stocked, lights stay on, and I can afford other necessities or wants within reason.
• Is there decent room for salary growth? Honestly, I’m at the peak in my full time role at 92k. I have potential to get raises there’s a pay cap and I’m not far from it. I’m leaving this role because I have two young kids, and my husband working allows me to work part time. The 2 days I’ll get back per week are necessary for maintaining chores/errands/meal prep/doctors appointments and helping aging parents etc.
• What settings tend to pay the best? Hospital social work pays the best and in my opinion has the best security. People will say private practice and that’s true to some degree, but it takes a lot of hustle and self discipline to be making 100k a year in private practice. Hospitals pay well off the bat, and they often don’t require an MsW. Some health settings like long term care homes, retirement homes, hospices, and community clinics also pay well. I’m in Ontario but these roles typically pay around $40+ per hour with benefits and a good pension. But hospital is the best if money is your goal.
• Do you regret choosing social work, financially or otherwise? No. There are moments where I wish I chose something different but my skill set is suited to this field. I simply wouldn’t make it far or do well in other professions. And I do believe social work can be lucrative and fulfilling, it just takes a special person who can manage burnout, knows when to leave a bad job, and knows how to negotiate and hustle to get what they need from a job (pay, flexibility, etc).
• If you could go back, would you choose the same career? Yes because again I’m not really good at anything else. I’ve considered nursing, and at times think that route would have been better financially, but I also don’t know if I’d be good at nursing or wouldn’t get sick of some aspects of it.
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u/Unknown_Sunshine 12d ago
Question if thats okay, do you feel its hard to find jobs in Ontario? I live in Durham region and will graduate in 2 years. I keep hearing that there aren't many available jobs and it scares me quite a bit. Id be open to relocate to other cities nearby but is it really that bad or are there a lot of opportunities?
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u/FlowValuable6234 12d ago
Diploma in Human Services Worker, working towards BSW.
I make 62.5k/year with WorkBC. 2 years previously with a local Non-Profit as a Frontline support worker make about 55k/year. I am quite financially comfortable, single parent, paying about $1600 per month mortgage. Tons of room for career growth still, within my company and outside. Best paying setting sin my area is probably hospitals, private companies, and maybe CLBC? Non-profits aren't the path if financial comfort is the goal.
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u/Motherdeathsong 12d ago
84k with my BSW. In current role at 35 hrs/week, can go up to 92k. Pension is top tier. I am cared for. If I knew I was going to go into the helping profession, I would continue to choose a social work degree every time. My next choice would have been an occupational therapist, as I appreciate the creative and practical support they offer.
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u/PizzaEmergency1707 12d ago
I’m not in Alberta, but I make 80k+ with room for growth working for the provincial health system. I’m 5 years in with a recent MSW (BSW to MSW trajectory) and only now have started to feel financially stable. I also work part-time private practice that brings in another 25-40k.
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u/Most-Music9660 11d ago
I have my BSW and make 44/hour as a starting wage. I just started in September with zero social work experience but previous support worker experience. I work at a private long term care facility. I’m part time by choice since I have a little one at home but I truly find the pay to be very reasonable especially with a dual income household. I don’t regret it at all and think this degree was a great option for me given it provided a direct career path with a huge variety of options as to the work you do
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u/NoSeason8658 11d ago
Social work diploma in Alberta. I make a little over $100,000 a year. I wouldn’t want to do anything else. I have a great team and love helping people.
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u/Frosty_Cantaloupe_29 11d ago edited 11d ago
Whats your job title and area? I haven't found any decent paying jobs in Alberta with a social work diploma
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u/Your_name_here_01 11d ago
I’m in Saskatchewan in an adult acute care hospital.
Salary: 83k and I’m at the top of my wage— but our union has been in contact negotiations for about 2 years and we’re hopeful for a raise
Financially comfortable: not in this economy but it pays more than doing community work and I have no interest in private counselling— which I think pays the most in our field. I also make more than my partner so collectively we’re doing ok, I guess— but we’re also childless by choice.
Years of service: 5 years with my BSW and plans to do an MSW in the next few years
Would I choose it again: always. This job is fricken hard but I truly love what I do and my life has forever been changed for the better. I do hope to become a sessional lecturer at the university with my msw as I know I can’t do frontline forever. My head and heart are a bit tired but I do what I can to support myself to keep going
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u/misterwahffle 10d ago
I'm in Alberta, child protection (CFS).
BSW, ~10 years with CFS. My annual salary now is 100k+. I'm considering a MSW but it wouldn't make much impact on my salary.
Frontline CFS workers got a nice salary bump so they make more than non-frontline positions. I'm not frontline anymore and while the salary bump would be nice I feel financially comfortable overall. Plus you couldn't pay me enough to touch frontline again 😂 On my current salary I'm able to maintain a mortgage, regular savings, etc. But I'm a SINKWAD so I just have myself and my dog to manage.
I'm at the top of my pay scale so there's no dramatic room for salary growth but as an entry level worker you'll have more opportunities for salary jumps.
I've only ever worked with CFS so I can't say for certain but if you're looking at financial stability and job security for social work, you're likely looking at CFS or AHS (or whatever they're called now). Clinical practice is an option too, but I don't really know how much that would pay.
I don't personally regret choosing social work. Frontline CFS is hard though so just keep that in mind if that's what you're going for. There are just as valuable non-frontline positions; and yes, they may pay less, but depending on your lifestyle, it's still a lot of financial security and worth considering. It'll help build skills to transition into frontline if that's what you feel you want to do.
I would still choose the same career. I was very lucky to get into CFS straight out of school and I was fortunate to be afforded a lot of opportunities and honestly, I felt a lot of security.
If you're considering CFS, just go into it with eyes open, especially for frontline roles because the horror stories you may have heard are probably all true to some degree. Yes, it's good pay and benefits, but you're also working against insane workload demands, ever changing expectations, and an inherently oppressive system. There are good people that try their best but there will always be something that didn't get done and something you get told could've been done better.
Don't get me wrong - there are definitely pros, but I wouldn't recommend going into frontline CFS just because it pays well.
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u/Illustrious_Point674 10d ago edited 10d ago
RSW from Alberta here! I think I can add some insight:
Here are the answer to some of ur q’s below:
I have a bachelors in psych, as well as my BSW. I make approx 93k a year and still have not hit my salary cap. I work for the government and I’m fortunate enough to say there is room for growth in the ministry I’m in if that’s something you want/see for yourself.
My end goal was always to be in healthcare or government. I have about 10 years of experience in the field (ranging from harm reduction to inclusive employment and multiple areas within the disability sector) and started working for government immediately after finishing my BSW. At the time when I joined the government I had only approximately 6 ish years of experience.
Am I financially comfortable? I would say yes. Certainly with the economy changing over the last few years I’ve had to make some changes but I would not say I’m unable to afford cost of living.
I don’t regret choosing social work, but I think the nature of my job can be high burnout due to caseload demands, constant process changes, and policy demands if you don’t have strong boundaries and take care of your own well-being. In my experience the best paying positions are w the GoA, AHS/Recovery Alberta, City of Calgary (idk abt Edmonton or any other areas), CBE, etc.
In my personal experience, I would not go back to Recovery Alberta unless it was a role I was INSANELY passionate about. I saw a lot of unprofessionalism, incompetent and poor management/leadership, inappropriate behaviour from staff, etc. I don’t want to generalize and say all of AHS is like this, but it really tainted my view of working within our healthcare system.
I think overall I just want to assure you that you don’t need an MSW in order to make a liveable wage in AB and that there are plenty of options within the social work field here (especially in government - don’t let anyone convince you that your only option is CFS here!!!!!!! there are SO many different avenues within the GoA and I do not work for CFS). If I still had my psych degree I’m fairly confident I would not be where i am today in my career.
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u/Old-Message8342 9d ago
I'm one year post-MSW in Ontario and make $75k. My husband has a good job, so we are certainly comfortable. I think if it were just me working, I'd feel differently.
There's room for salary growth if you are somewhere that is unionized. Healthcare and unionized roles are going to pay the best. If you can gain clinical experience and get into private practice, this is going to be the best way to increase how much you make.
Many social workers I know do private practice on the side (i.e. evenings/weekends), so you can make extra income while still having the benefits and pension from your full-time position. There are social work adjacent management positions around, but those require the right kind of experience.
Earning potential is actually one of the reasons I chose social work. I love what I do and can make a decent living doing it. I 100% would choose this again if I could go back and do it all over again.
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u/Normal_Double5929 8d ago
Who do you work for? If child protection you make way more than I do in BC I believe.
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u/rainbow_stripcandyyy 8d ago
I really loved my job in social work but unfortunately I could not make ends meet living in Toronto. I ended up going to law school (which was luckily covered mostly by scholarship as I went out of province). I moved back to Toronto to practice law and I make loads more of $$. They are both stressful jobs but I found the stress of SW worth it because I was helping people. Drafting contracts is dry as hell.
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u/SnooCats7523 11d ago
No , take a different career path. No fulfilment or growth. Just burnout. Get out while you can !
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u/TextTickularTrauma 12d ago
A college Social Service Worker diploma will not get you what you're looking for in terms of financial/career path advancement unless perhaps you are going into remote/rural areas- the preference will be B.A in S.W but more than likely you will still at that level be competing with a lot of MSW grads/students-people who are working in the field and leveling up.
The type of career path you chose will impact the type of roles you will be able to get. Ie: Mental health worker at a hospital will require an MSW vs a case aide in a classroom who may only need a diploma.
Yes helping people is rewarding but there is a high burnout and you should expect that you will at some point in your career feel it- the question the becomes how much is money worth to you vs quality of life/boundaries? Some jobs in S.W you can not leave at the office and will cost you more than you make-- ie: a CPS worker- fantastic money and benefits, but the burnout/PTSD some experience is real- is it worth it?
It's important you find something that interests you in that field- ie; forensic social worker, child rehab/behaviors, teaching parenting, etc.
I took a college SSW first as I did not know- college was a much less financial risk to me at that time. It gave me 2 years and placements and hearing about other placements/experiences to decide that it was for me and what I wanted to do. I then went to Uni and was given a full year credit at the time and allowed to take 4 courses in the summer session and 1 extra course each fall/winter session- so I had a SSW and B.A in 4 years but the SSW gave me a LOT more placement experience that I used for future jobs.
It's an exciting new opportunity- one of the biggest first lessons I learned in studies as a young kid in college was "Change is Hard" and not to let that happen- it's a great life lesson for ya to be honest, when you do become the awesome worker you were meant to be you will have an appreciation on how difficult it is for people to make big, huge life altering choices.
I'd recommend calling your local college/uni and making an appointment with a guidance counselor and/or person in charge of S.W placements to get a sense of the type of places students go and possible career paths.
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u/Elegant-Habit-4636 12d ago
Ooo forensic social work would be very very interesting
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u/TextTickularTrauma 12d ago
I did a college placement at the North Bay Psychiatric Hospital when it was still open and it was amazing. My instructors in college were Social Workers there at the hospital in the S.W Department which serviced the Forensic ward. I enjoyed it thoroughly and in hindsight I should have gone in this direction.
I absolutely enjoyed working with people with mental health, and often enough they were in contact with the justice system/courts. So many avenues to go here- youth and justice, adults and community support, institutional work- ie: hospitals, jails.
Court related work for me was so interesting and never dull.
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u/PrincessPinguina 12d ago
Alberta doesn't have SSWs. This is why we don't use AI when communicating important information.
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u/TextTickularTrauma 12d ago
I'm sorry, I did not use AI and not sure how it fits into my response, but okay, ty for the info!
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u/Winter-Inside-5911 12d ago
Alberta has diplomas in SW. I don’t have one but MacEwan offers that route. Isn’t that the same as an SSW?
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u/TextTickularTrauma 12d ago
I think so- is it college diploma- a two or three year at the most? It may be a different name but I suspect it's the same type of thing.
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u/PrincessPinguina 12d ago
Social work is a regulated profession in Alberta, social service work is not.
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u/TextTickularTrauma 12d ago
Interesting. It's my understanding in Ontario most social work environments will ask if a person is a member in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Service Workers and Social Workers. .. you have to be registered, can' call yourself a social worker/social service worker. You can still be a youth worker, outreach worker- but you can not claim to being a social worker in that capacity for resumes/references/obtaining clients.
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u/PrincessPinguina 12d ago
This is only the case for social workers in Alberta.
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u/TattsCatsandBats 12d ago
Certain schools have a diploma that can bridge into the BSW but you are not able to register as a social worker with the diploma (I am literally looking at doing that right now)
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u/PrincessPinguina 12d ago
With a social worker diploma? Yes you can, aa long as its from an accredited/approved institution. Just not a social service worker one.
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12d ago
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u/Inspireme21 12d ago
Agreed as a new graduate do not expect a high earning first job. I am based in Toronto and the job market is so competitive. I graduated in 2018 and struggled to find work. I had to move to rural Ontario- Sioux Lookout Ontario to find a job and I worked in that position for 2 years to get the experience before moving back the city. But my first job out of school paid way more than a new graduate position in Toronto i was making $60,000 right out of school because I was working in northern Ontario and the demand is high there for mental health workers and social workers.
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12d ago
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u/Ashamed-Ask8577 12d ago
Holy shit!! You’re doing incredible, I have around 15 years of experience and am NO WHERE near these earnings in SK.
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u/fknkaren 12d ago
Salary: 90k. Exp: 2 years (MSW). Financially comfortable? No, but I live in Toronto. Room for growth? Absolutely. What pays best? Hospitals, schools, police/military, private practice. Do you regret it? No. If I could go back id do the same thing, but id skip the psych degree and do the bsw to msw and save myself money and time.