Occupational Outlook for Social Workers 2010-2011

       
Based upon the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects are expected to be favorable within the social work industry over the next several years.

Overall, within the social work field, employment is expected to grow at a rate of 16%, faster than the average (12%) for all occupations through 2018.

Growth projections by type:

• Medical and public health  ~ 22%
• Mental health and substance abuse ~ 20%
• Child, family and school ~ 12%
• All other social workers ~ 13%

Social workers specializing in geriatrics or working in rural areas will be in particular demand.

In terms of the distribution of the projected growth, healthcare and mental health account for ~ 45%, child, family and school ~ 44%, and other being the remaining 11% of positions.

In light of the fact that I am in the process of making a career transition from the marketing field to the world of social work, I was very happy to hear this news.  I hope you are feeling happy about these projections as well.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Social Workers, on the Internet

Do you have additional sources of industry information that you'd like to recommend? Please share any thoughts or comments below. I love hearing from you :)

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Photo credit: Mckay Savage
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