Occupational Focus: Child, Family, and School Social Workers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Child, family, and school social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. They may assist parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In schools, they address problems such as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy.

Employment and Wages

In 2024, there were 15,690 Child, family, and school social workers in Michigan that made up less than one percent of total state employment. Nationally, there were 382,960 workers in this occupation that also made up less that one percent of overall employment in the U.S. The median hourly wage for this occupation in Michigan was $28.38 per hour in 2024. Nationally, the median wage for Child, family, and school social workers was slightly lower at $28.16.

Common Job Titles

Examples of job titles encompassed by this position include:

• Adoption Social Worker
• Case Manager
• Case Worker
• Child Protective Services Social Worker (CPS Social Worker)
• Family Protection Specialist

Some of the responsibilities of this occupation include:

• Maintaining case history records and preparing reports
• Interviewing clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs
• Serving as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty
• Developing and reviewing service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided
• Addressing legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements

Education and Skills

Almost 74 percent of Child, family, and school social workers have obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is the typical education requirement for entry-level positions, though some specialized positions may require additional credentials. Essential skills include active listening, speaking, critical thinking and social perceptiveness.

Most Related Occupations:

• Healthcare Social Workers
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Social and Human Service Assistants

Occupation Outlook

This occupation has an average outlook. The long-term projected growth rate from 2022 to 2032 is 4.1 percent, which is much higher than Michigan’s projected 0.6 percent growth rate for all occupations. Child, family, and school social workers are projected to have a total of 1,080 annual openings through 2032, mostly driven by an increased need to help strengthen parenting skills, prevent child abuse, and identify alternative homes for children who are unable to live with their biological families. However, employment growth may be limited by state and local budget constraints.

Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; 2022–2032 Occupational Employment Projections, Michigan Center for Data and Analytics

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