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Roles of a School Social Worker

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School social workers, also called counselors, are essential to educational leadership teams. They are the liaisons between administrators, students, teachers, and parents and are ranked #16 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Social Services Jobs of 2024.1

These social service professionals often need an advanced degree and licensure in their state. Utica University’s online Master of Social Work program is designed to offer social workers real-world knowledge alongside hands-on experience so graduates can pursue New York state licensure* and make a positive difference in their school community.

What Do School Social Workers Do?

Social workers’ responsibilities vary depending on several factors: their district, student population, budget, resources, and specific needs. No two roles have the same duties, so these professionals must learn to handle many potential scenarios. However, even with differences in context, four overarching goals transcend job descriptions.

1. Meet Academic Goals and Overcome Challenges

The School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA) states that social workers are crucial to fulfilling academic missions because they help provide optimum settings for teaching, learning, and confidence.2 As they create and maintain the optimal environment for academic success, social workers and counselors address topics such as:

  • Classroom behavior management
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Individual education programs (IEPs)
  • Teacher intervention

Social workers also support equitable access to classroom materials and learning opportunities. For instance, if a student does not have a computer or internet access at home, a social worker can provide appropriate alternatives. They might suggest scheduled time at the library, request printed handouts from teachers, or explore an after-school homework program. Then, the social worker or counselor would follow up with the student and their teachers to assess progress and adjust plans.

2. Foster a Safe, Inclusive Community

Safe, inclusive spaces are the foundation for community growth. One of the best ways to create these spaces is with a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program. Social workers and counselors are frequently responsible for overseeing DEI programming that brings their community together in productive ways. Some of the most important goals of DEI, according to Education Week, are to create safe spaces where all individuals feel comfortable:

  • Navigating difficult conversations
  • Communicating transparently
  • Developing new perspectives
  • Creating positive change3

These aspirational goals change and evolve with their community, and school social workers guide the journey. They keep these goals in mind while addressing issues such as bullying — a notoriously tough subject due to the mental and emotional impact it causes. Bullying is usually covered in zero-tolerance policies. But when it comes to enacting the policies, it’s up to counselors and staff to design solutions.

They might help navigate difficult conversations through role-play exercises and letter writing, communicate transparently through assemblies and classroom presentations, and create positive change via posters for the hallways and bathrooms.

Contextual needs and nuances affect how a social worker or counselor approaches tough issues. Impactful change takes keen observation skills, active listening, and empathy. These skills come from advanced degrees, which are a requirement for school counselors in nearly all states and the District of Columbia, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.4

3. Support Mental Health

Graduate degrees in social work also give school social workers and counselors the experience required to improve mental health in their communities. The SSWAA states that these social workers are trained mental health professionals who can explore behavioral concerns, provide classroom interventions, and consult with teachers, parents, and administrators.2 They can also:

  • Connect students to mental health resources
  • Develop counseling programs
  • Provide administration with mental health status reports
  • Seek support from social and mental health agencies

These professionals are often one of the primary points of contact for students who seek mental health services. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reveals that in 2019, 15% of adolescents ages 12–17 reported receiving mental health services at school, compared to 17% who saw a specialty provider.5 This makes students almost as likely to receive mental health services from school social workers as they are from health care professionals.

4. Give Students a Voice

Students have a right to be heard and take an active role in their education, and they need safe spaces to raise their questions and concerns. Social workers usually attend or speak at school-related events, where they encourage students to voice themselves appropriately and effectively.

Social workers can also help create opportunities for students within these meetings. According to the National Healthy Schools Collaborative (NHSC) Youth Council Newsletter, students can build confidence speaking with administrators through one-on-one meetings, group meetings, a student-representative council, and informal listening sessions.6 Social workers can also manage digital spaces that help students collaborate and develop ideas, such as:

  • Brainstorming for DEI needs on Google Docs
  • Polling their classmates through SurveyMonkey and Doodle
  • Chatting with peers through Facebook groups
  • Collecting powerful stories on a Wiki or Reddit

A great way to encourage participation is to find out how students would like to communicate. Which platforms are students using, and which would they be willing to learn? Whether their preferred interactions take the form of a document, discussion board, poll, group, or survey, everyone must feel safe and respected. School social workers and counselors can create standards for communication and monitor these spaces for appropriate content.

Social workers can also serve as liaisons in cases where students aren’t comfortable communicating directly with the administration. The implicit power dynamics among students, teachers, and other leaders can make topics like dress codes, cultural differences, and mental health concerns difficult to talk about. Education Week suggests that one solution is for leadership to cede the floor to students, meaning that teachers, administrators, and leaders empathetically listen and ask questions in discussions led by students.3 School social workers, as trusted professionals and leaders, can mediate the conversation by bringing students’ voices forward.

White graphic with blue and orange accents showing 4 goals of social workers and counselors in blocks

School Social Worker Salaries

These social work jobs can have many titles, such as school counselors, guidance counselors, career counselors, educational advisors, and more. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) explains that “guidance counselor” used to refer to these employees, but “school counselor” is now the most-used job title.7 Both job titles and salaries can vary widely.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors (combined) made a median wage of $60,140 in 2022; in New York, the median wage was $63,100.8 However, salaries often differ depending on the age group or educational level and can be affected by certification, employer, experience, and other factors. Salary.com cites January 2024 salaries for four common levels in the U.S.:

  • Elementary counselor: $64,108 median salary9
  • Middle school counselor: $55,809 average salary10
  • High school counselor: $64,108 median salary11
  • College academic counselor: $53,560 average salary12

Salaries can also change with years of experience. More experience is typically correlated with a higher salary. Indeed provides the following experience-based salaries for school counselors as of February 2024:13

  • < 1 year: $62,369
  • 1–2 years: $62,996
  • 10 years: $90,948

State certification is yet another factor for jobs and salaries because it, too, is correlated with a higher salary. Depending on the state, these professionals will need certification, licensure, or endorsement. These credentials typically require field experience and a passing test score. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that one of the best ways to prepare for certification is through a master’s degree in school counseling.4

Career Growth for School Social Workers

Knowledgeable and experienced counselors are needed more than ever. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA), reporting on data from the U.S. Department of Education, draws attention to a significant lack of counselors in 2023; 17% of American high schools, serving about 643,700 students in total, do not have a counselor.14 To help fulfill this need, social workers can pursue additional training to fill these roles.

School social worker jobs will continue to grow for the next several years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 26,600 annual openings for these jobs from 2022 to 2032; a 5% growth rate will outpace the average for most other occupations.4 New York, especially, will provide an impressive number of opportunities.

How to Become a School Social Worker

School social workers and counselors need thorough training and experience. While specific requirements can vary by state, U.S. News & World Report indicates that most of these jobs require a master’s degree and real-world experience.1

If you’d like to make a positive impact as a school social worker or counselor, consider an online MSW from Utica University. One common pathway to this degree is to first earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology. High school graduates with substantial transfer credits can even earn their bachelor’s and MSW in a combined five years. The innovative MSW program features research-based coursework, trauma-informed care principles, and supervised fieldwork.

Complete the traditional online MSW in 28 to 32 months or choose the 12- to 16-month online MSW: Advanced Standing option if you already have a BSW. Discover all the benefits of Utica University’s social work program with a quick visit to the MSW page or submit your information to talk with a member of our team.

Sources and Disclaimer

  1. U.S. News & World Report. “School Counselor – Career Rankings, Salary, Reviews and Advice.” 2024. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/school-counselor.
  2. School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). “Role of School Social Worker.” Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.sswaa.org/school-social-work.
  3. Education Week. “6 Strategies for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion at Your School.” Jan. 27, 2022. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-6-strategies-for-promoting-diversity-and-inclusion-at-your-school/2022/01.
  4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook. “School and Career Counselors and Advisors.” Sept. 6, 2023. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Community-and-Social-Service/School-and-career-counselors.htm.
  5. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “Mental Health in Schools.” Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Policy-Priorities/Improving-Health/Mental-Health-in-Schools/.
  6. National Health Schools Collaborative (NHSC) Youth Council. “Recommendations for Improving Student Mental Health in Schools.” School Social Work Association of America (SSWAA). Oct. 25, 2023. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.sswaa.org/post/recommendations-for-improving-student-mental-health-in-schools.
  7. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA). “Guidance Counselor vs. School Counselor.” Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/c8d97962-905f-4a33-958b-744a770d71c6/Guidance-Counselor-vs-School-Counselor.pdf.
  8. O*NET OnLine. “Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors.” U.S. Department of Labor. 2022. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-1012.00.
  9. Salary.com. “Elementary School Counselor Salary in the United States.” Jan. 2024. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Elementary-School-Counselor-Salary#:~:text=As%20of%20Mar%2024%2C%202024%2C%20the%20average%20annual,This%20is%20the%20equivalent%20of%20%241%2C170%2Fweek%20or%20%245%2C072%2Fmonth.
  10. Salary.com. “Middle School Counselor Salary in the United States.” Jan. 2024. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Middle-School-Counselor-Salary#:~:text=As%20of%20Mar%203%2C%202024%2C%20the%20average%20annual,This%20is%20the%20equivalent%20of%20%241%2C151%2Fweek%20or%20%244%2C990%2Fmonth.
  11. Salary.com. “High School Counselor Salary in the United States.” Jan. 2024. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/opening/high-school-counselor-salary.
  12. Salary.com. “College Academic Counselor Salary in the United States.” Jan. 2024. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/college-academic-counselor-salary.
  13. Indeed.com. “School Counselor Salary in the United States.” Feb. 15, 2024. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://www.indeed.com/career/school-counselor/salaries.
  14. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA). “About School Counseling.” Sept. 2020. Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024, from https://schoolcounselor.org/About-School-Counseling.

* Graduates can pursue New York state licensure and seek provisional certification to serve as a school social worker (valid for five years). Then, they can earn permanent certification after two years of full-time employment in the school setting with the provisional certificate. The certificate holder must be licensed as an LMSW or LCSW to receive the permanent school social worker certificate.

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