The Best Social Work Degrees in New York
Social workers in New York can expect higher than average annual salaries and job demand compared to the national averages. Find out how to become a social worker in this state, how much they make, and the best social work programs in New York.
Featured Online Programs in Social Work
Becoming a Social Worker in New York
You need at least a master’s degree in social work (MSW) to become a licensed master’s social worker (LMSW) in New York. To get your LMSW license, you’ll need to complete your license application, pay the application fee, provide proof of graduation, and pass your ASWB master’s exam.
After you get your LMSW from the New York State Education Department, you can complete the three years of required supervised experience in psychotherapy, assessment, and diagnosis you need to become a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Once you complete your clinical experience, you’ll need to pass the ASWB clinical exam. Then, you must apply for your license, submit the necessary documents, and pay the application fee to become an LCSW in New York.
The Best Social Work Programs in New York
Learn about the best programs and schools to earn your social work degree in New York.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best social work schools in New York, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
How Much Will it Cost to Get My Degree in Social Work?
While you’re completing your social work degree, you’ll need to pay for school expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and supplies. To get a social work license in New York, you’ll need to complete an MSW.
Public colleges typically offer the most cost effective way to complete your degree. In the 2020-21 school year, graduate students paid an average of about $12,400 to attend public universities compared to $28,445 in private, nonprofit universities.
Besides school expenses, you’ll also need to budget for living expenses such as housing, food, and transportation. You can apply for scholarships, grants, and loans that can help you pay for all or part of your expenses. Online programs may allow you to limit commuting, housing, and food costs and cut some on-campus fees completely.
How Much Will I Make as a Social Worker in New York?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social workers in New York earned the following wages as of May 2022:
| Occupation | Average Hourly Wage (NY) | Average Annual Wage (NY) |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $34 | $70,690 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $29 | $60,440 |
| Mental Health and Substance Misuse Social Workers | $38 | $79,700 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $38 | $78,540 |
Source: BLS
New York offers higher average salaries for all social workers than the national average, which is $56,680. Child, family, and school social workers in New York make an average of $14,000 more per year than the national average, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from May 2021. Mental health and substance misuse social workers in New York make an average of about $17,000 more annually than the national average.
High demand may explain why child, family, and school social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers, specifically, make more than the national average.
New York comes second only to California for the most child, family, and school social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers employed in their state, according to the BLS.
Job Outlook with a Social Work Degree
The job outlook for social workers in New York is at least 10 percentage points higher than the national job growth projections for all types of social workers.
Projections Central projects 13% job growth for all other social workers between 2020-2030 compared to the national projected job growth of 3%.
Projections Central projects more than 26% job growth for healthcare social workers and mental health and substance abuse social workers between 2020-2030. These areas of social work may see faster growth because of the aging population and the increasing number of people seeking treatment for mental health and substance misuse.
| Occupation | 2020-2030 Growth Projections (US) | 2020-2030 Growth Projections (NY) |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | +9% | +24.2% |
| Healthcare Social Workers | +8% | +26.7% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | +11% | +26.1% |
| Social Workers, All Others | +3% | +13.2% |
Source: Projections Central
Frequently Asked Questions About New York Social Work
What degree do you need to be a social worker in New York?
You will need a master’s degree in social work (MSW) to become a licensed social worker in New York. With a BSW, you can perform some non-clinical social work duties under the supervision of an LMSW or LCSW. However, you will not be able to practice without supervision until you get your license, which requires at least an MSW.
How long does it take to become a social worker in New York?
You can become a licensed social worker in New York in about 2-6 years, depending on your highest level of education. It takes four years of full-time study to complete a bachelor’s degree. Then, you will need to complete your MSW, which requires an additional two years, or 30-60 credits. Finally, you have to apply for licensure, pass the ASWB Master’s exam, and pay the application fee.
Do you need to be licensed as an LMSW before becoming an LCSW in New York?
Yes, you need to hold a LMSW license in New York before you can complete the necessary supervised experience in psychotherapy and diagnosis to get your LCSW license.
Are social workers in demand in New York?
Yes, Projections Central projects at least 13% job growth for all types of social workers in New York between 2020 and 2030. They project more than 26% job growth for healthcare social workers and mental health and substance misuse social workers in New York for the same time period.