What is a case worker and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Virginia Schwindt
introduction image

Caseworkers assist and counsel disadvantaged individuals or families. They work in government agencies, schools, mental health centers, non-profit organizations, or healthcare organizations. They review cases and compile case reports containing relevant information. Furthermore, they provide support and guidance to families in need. If need be, they introduce or refer clients to other agencies. Also, they may schedule appointments for their clients with legal aid workers, counselors, doctors, and the likes. Asides from that, they coordinate client care following the organization's protocols. Additionally, they advocate for people under their care.

Employers seek candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in social work. Employers may require a state license or registration with a government body. Candidates must possess listening, problem-solving, coordination, negotiation, collaboration, organization, and computer skills. You must be conversant with crisis intervention strategies. Caseworkers make an average salary of $39,892 per annum. This varies between $28,000 and $56,000.

What general advice would you give to a Case Worker?

V

Virginia SchwindtVirginia Schwindt LinkedIn Profile

MSW Field Director/Associate Professor, Union University

Take the licensing test as soon as you are able to, and be open to where you work. It is great to want a specific population or employer, but being open to other experiences may be where God wants you to be. Don't limit yourself because, as a social worker, you can do so many different things.
ScoreCase WorkerUS Average
Salary
3.2

Avg. Salary $41,459

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
10.0

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.3
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.51%

Asian 2.67%

Black or African American 13.37%

Hispanic or Latino 15.12%

Unknown 4.19%

White 63.14%

Gender

female 73.25%

male 26.75%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
8.5

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.2

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Case Worker career paths

Key steps to become a case worker

  1. Explore case worker education requirements

    Most common case worker degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.4 %

    Associate

    13.8 %

    Master's

    12.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific case worker skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Social Work19.54%
    Crisis Intervention7.52%
    Patients6.53%
    Substance Abuse5.97%
    Community Resources5.87%
  3. Complete relevant case worker training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New case workers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a case worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real case worker resumes.
  4. Research case worker duties and responsibilities

    • Establish collaborative relationships with patients within a supportive atmosphere to assist in confronting drug relate behavior and achieving sobriety.
    • Review and research leads regarding personal injury cases by obtaining information from the Medicaid recipient's attorney and insurance adjuster
    • File, close and maintain records in either physical case file or on ETO.
    • Train new employees and assign tasks in driving and all responsibilities in DCS documentations.
  5. Prepare your case worker resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your case worker resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a case worker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Case Worker Resume templates

    Build a professional Case Worker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Case Worker resume.
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  6. Apply for case worker jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a case worker job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Case Worker Job

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Average case worker salary

The average Case Worker salary in the United States is $41,459 per year or $20 per hour. Case worker salaries range between $30,000 and $55,000 per year.

Average Case Worker Salary
$41,459 Yearly
$19.93 hourly

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How do case workers rate their job?

-/5

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Case Worker reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024
Cons

Stressful, dangerous neighborhoods, sometimes parents are dangerous as well. Work life balance isn't good. Documentation is very time consuming and you will bring that home to finish. If your agency requires that you do your app recorded time sheets then that will prove ardously time consuming constaint that cuts right into your work/home life balance...it's terrible. Wear and tear on your car, no shows from parents upsetting children and paid mileage is horrible. Get ready to barely have a life.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023
Pros

Get to know patients over a long period of time; sometimes decades.

Cons

Losing your patients to death, especially after knowing them and their families, for years.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022
Pros

Helping others

Cons

Getting approval and watching families go through their proceed with difficulties


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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