The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Child Welfare around the country.
What We Do
A child welfare professional is a specialized kind of social worker. The focus of these professionals is particularly on providing assistance to children and families who are classed as vulnerable. They work to protect children and assist needy families with issues, such as housing, childcare, benefits, food stamps, and more. Additionally, if a child is found to be at risk of abuse or neglect, a child welfare specialist will step in. These professionals also often work to find foster families, arrange adoptions, and reunite families.
Work Environment
Child welfare workers can be found in primary care settings, hospitals, and clinics. They can also be found in community centers and settlement houses, as well as private practices and mental health clinics. Many work for state or local governments, and they are also often employed in schools. Some child welfare specialists work in substance abuse clinics or correctional facilities, but the vast majority are found in child welfare agencies.
How to Become a Child Welfare
The minimum educational requirement for a child welfare professional is a social work bachelor’s degree, which is the BSW. Some of them who are employed as such have a bachelor’s degree in sociology or psychology, although this is rare. Many employers look for more specialized social workers, which are those who have completed a master’s degree in social work, which is the MSW. To complete the MSW, students must take part in an internship or supervised fieldwork. The MSW takes a further two years to complete after the four year BSW. To be accepted in this program, a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts is required, although this does not necessarily have to be the BSW. At the master’s degree level, students can choose to specialize in a certain field of social work, such as child welfare.
Training & Certification Requirements
Every state has its own licensing requirements in place for social workers, including child welfare professionals. Hence, it is best to contact the Association of Social Work Boards, who will be able to provide you with the details for your own state board.
Child Welfare Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Child Welfare.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
---|---|
Child Protective Service Specialist | $34,000 |
Executive Director Ecep | $77,000 |
Direct Support Professional Counselor | $22,000 |
Child Welfare Assistant | $26,000 |
RN Discharge Planner | $64,000 |
Child Welfare Caseworker | $40,000 |
Child Welfare Specialist | $68,000 |
Child Protective Investigator Op | $39,000 |
Family Service Worker Supervisor | $51,000 |
Animal Care Center Veterinarian | $103,000 |
Child Welfare Earning Potential
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies child welfare workers as social workers. They had median annual earnings of $45,900 as of May 2015.
Child Welfare Job Outlook
According to the BLS, social workers, including child welfare professionals, can expect to see a 12% growth in demand for their skills from 2014 to 2024. This is faster than the growth rate for most other professions.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Child Welfare was $42,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide are 28% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Child Welfare Salary by State
The following lists Child Welfare salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $53,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $26,000.
Alaska – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Juneau School District, Workplace Alaska, Maniilaq Association, and Kenaitze Indian Tribe. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Alabama – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gateway, TCRC, BCFS, and Rainbow Child Care Center. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Arkansas – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cognosante, LLC, Save the Children, KIPP Delta Public Schools, and Arkansas Department of Human Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Arizona – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Child Crisis Arizona, Glendale Elementary School District #40, Arizona State University, and ResCare. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
California – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BCFS, Drew Child Development Corporation, County of Alameda, and STARS Behavioral Health Group. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Colorado – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Center for Family Outreach, Keystone Science School, Maple Star of Colorado, and Rocky Mountain Service Employment Redevelopment. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Connecticut – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, BHcare, University of Connecticut, and BAS Healthcare. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
DC – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Child and Family Services Agcy, Bethany Christian Services, Mathematica Policy Research, and Child Trends. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Delaware – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Delaware, Downing's Loving & Learning Center, Cognosante, LLC, and Children & Families First. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Florida – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like PeopleFirst Florida HR, G4S, ChildNet, and Eckerd. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Georgia – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Georgia Department of Human Services, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, DoverStaffing Agency, and Department of Human Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Hawaii – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work UH Manoa, Maui Family Support Services, Inc., Hawaii State Judiciary, and State of Hawaii. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Iowa – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Southwest Iowa Family Access Center, Scott County Family YMCA, Families First Counseling Services, and Four Oaks. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Idaho – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Idaho Division of Human Resources, RNnetwork, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, and Idaho Child Welfare Research & Training Center/EWU. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Illinois – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lutheran Child and Family Services, Lawrence Hall, One Hope United, and Finra. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Indiana – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Youth Advocate Program, Adult & Child Health, Indiana Department of Child Services, and Hamilton Center, Inc.. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Kansas – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like KVC Health Systems, Inc, Dept for Children and Families, Saint Francis Community Services, and Unlisted Company. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Kentucky – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like YMCA of Greater Louisville, University of Kentucky, SAFY, and Boys & Girls Haven. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Louisiana – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Save the Children, Lafayette General Medical Center, BCFS, and Caring Hearts Professional Health Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Massachusetts – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MSPCC, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Eliot Community Human Services, and Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Maryland – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Maryland, JBS International, Inc., Child Trends, and ICF. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Maine – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maine Medical Partners, The Bangor YMCA, Sweetser, and State of Maine DHHS, Office of Child & Family Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Michigan – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ennis Center for Children and Ennis Counseling Services, Spectrum Child & Family Services, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, and University of Michigan. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Minnesota – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Minneapolis Public Schools, Optimos Incorporated, Minnesota Merit System, and MN.IT Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Missouri – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cornerstones of Care, Great Circle, Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., and Lighthouse Child and Family Development Center. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Mississippi – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Save the Children, Cognosante, LLC, Cambria Solutions, and Mississippi Children's Home Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Montana – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Montana, Florence Crittenton Home and Services, Youth Homes, and Quail Hollow CDS. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
North Carolina – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Rainbow Child Care Center, Eckerd, Family Preservation Services of North Carolina, Inc., and Wake County Government. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
North Dakota – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Save the Children, All Acout Kids, Inc, Lakes Social Service District, and North Dakota State Government. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Nebraska – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nebraska Children's Home Society, Heartland Family Service, Child Saving Institute, and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
New Hampshire – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University System of New Hampshire, PMC Medical Group, Child Advocacy Center of Coos County, and Cognosante, LLC. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
New Jersey – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., Best in Care Solutions, LLC, MENTOR NETWORK, and Mathematica Policy Research. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
New Mexico – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of New Mexico, New Mexico State Personnel Office, The Bair Foundation, and Sandia Resort And Casino. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Nevada – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cognosante, LLC, Clark County, NV, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., and Summerlin Hospital Medical Center. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
New York – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Research Foundation of The City University of New York, SCO Family of Services, ADMIN FOR CHILDREN'S SVCS, and Catholic Guardian Services. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Ohio – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Brightside Academy, National Youth Advocate Program, OhioGuidestone, and Family Access to Integrated Recovery. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Oklahoma – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Oklahoma, the Chickasaw Nation, State of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma DHS. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Oregon – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like RNnetwork, Relief Nursery, Inc, Morrison Child and Family Services, and State of Oregon. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Pennsylvania – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like NHS Human Services, Arc Human Services, BETHANNA, and Lehigh Valley Health Network. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Rhode Island – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Rhode Island, Plan International USA, Family Service of Rhode Island, and Plan. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
South Carolina – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of South Carolina, Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., SAFY, and BCFS. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
South Dakota – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BCFS. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Tennessee – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Tennessee, Omni Family of Services, Catholic Health Initiatives, and ETSU Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Texas – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Youth Advocate Programs, Inc., Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Upbring, and Community Action Corporation of South Texas. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Utah – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Utah, Mountainland Head Start Inc., Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center, and Spectrum Academy – Pleasant Grove. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Virginia – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Universal Health Services, First Home Care – VA, MD, DC, Childhelp, and Capital Caring. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Vermont – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lund and State of Vermont. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Washington – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Casey Family Programs, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington, Community Colleges of Spokane, and University of Washington. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Wisconsin – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SaintA, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, State of Wisconsin, and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
West Virginia – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like KVC Health Systems, Inc, Concord University Research and Development Corporation, Keystone Peer Review, and Pressley Ridge. |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Wyoming – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Child Welfare salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Child Welfare salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like act team lead. |
|||||||||||
|