What is a family worker and how to become one

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

Some families need a little extra help in order to succeed. They may need extra financial resources, information on navigating the school system, and support as they learn to relate to each other. A family worker works together to helps parents and children with special needs navigate the world.

The family worker's job sometimes overlaps with that of a family support worker. They provide all kinds of support that a family may need. They may help a family navigate the process of applying for government assistance, educate parents on parenting skills, and work together to develop a child development plan.

Family workers take care of any other needs that may pop up for a family. Often this means working around a family's schedule and working nights or weekends. Family workers often get out of the office and conduct home visits in order to help the families they work with. This is not your typical office job, and many family workers say it is more rewarding than one.

What general advice would you give to a Family 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.
ScoreFamily WorkerUS Average
Salary
2.9

Avg. Salary $36,992

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 84.89%

male 15.11%

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

Family Worker career paths

Key steps to become a family worker

  1. Explore family worker education requirements

    Most common family worker degrees

    Bachelor's

    64.4 %

    Associate

    15.9 %

    Master's

    13.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific family worker skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Social Work21.85%
    Foster Care10.74%
    Child Care8.87%
    Crisis Intervention6.80%
    Community Resources5.03%
  3. Complete relevant family worker training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New family 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 family worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real family worker resumes.
  4. Research family worker duties and responsibilities

    • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
    • Create service plans and attend administrative case reviews at the DCFS office.
    • Work with families developing and implementing permanent plan in accordance with DCFS policy, procedures, and accreditation standards.
    • Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
  5. Prepare your family worker resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your family 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 family 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 Family Worker Resume templates

    Build a professional Family 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 Family Worker resume.
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
    Family Worker Resume
  6. Apply for family worker jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a family 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 Family Worker Job

Zippi

Are you a Family Worker?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average family worker salary

The average Family Worker salary in the United States is $36,992 per year or $18 per hour. Family worker salaries range between $28,000 and $48,000 per year.

Average Family Worker Salary
$36,992 Yearly
$17.78 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do family workers rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

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1 Star

Family Worker reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2024
Pros

The children are always worth it.

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 Jan 2022
Pros

Working collaboratively with clients to help them understand themselves and experience their authentic selves. Learning from my clients.

Cons

Low pay


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2019
Pros

Serving people, impacting change in communities, never boring

Cons

pay is low for what you need to do


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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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