There are currently an estimated 64,000 social workers in the United States. The social worker job market is expected to grow by 8.3% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are social workers?
CareerExplorer rates social workers with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 11,700 social workers. That number is based on 5,300 additional social workers, and the retirement of 6,400 existing social workers.
What’s the supply of social workers?
The social worker industry is concentrated in California, New York, Illinois
Social Worker job market by state
| State Name | Employed Social Workers |
|---|---|
| California | 10,600 |
| New York | 7,940 |
| Illinois | 4,940 |
| Ohio | 3,420 |
| South Carolina | 2,500 |
| Oregon | 2,020 |
| Texas | 1,650 |
| Florida | 1,480 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,380 |
| Colorado | 1,280 |
| Arizona | 1,230 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,200 |
| Georgia | 1,140 |
| Tennessee | 1,130 |
| Wisconsin | 1,080 |
| Maryland | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | 970 |
| North Carolina | 920 |
| Michigan | 770 |
| Washington | 750 |
| Connecticut | 750 |
| Montana | 660 |
| Louisiana | 640 |
| Massachusetts | 620 |
| Virginia | 620 |
| Missouri | 610 |
| Kansas | 600 |
| Arkansas | 560 |
| Kentucky | 550 |
| New Jersey | 510 |
| New Mexico | 500 |
| North Dakota | 500 |
| Utah | 490 |
| Maine | 440 |
| Indiana | 420 |
| Oklahoma | 400 |
| Alabama | 400 |
| Iowa | 380 |
| Mississippi | 360 |
| Nevada | 300 |
| District of Columbia | 300 |
| Hawaii | 270 |
| West Virginia | 250 |
| Alaska | 190 |
| Wyoming | 170 |
| Nebraska | 150 |
| Delaware | 120 |
| Rhode Island | 110 |
| South Dakota | 90 |
| Idaho | 80 |
| Guam | 40 |