Clinical social workers in hospitals need a higher level of education.
Social workers may find employment many types of residential, medical or government facilities. All types of social work positions, such as child or substance abuse social work, exist in hospitals. The salaries of hospitals social workers vary based on both the specialty area of the social worker and the type of hospital.
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
General medical and surgical hospitals offered an average salary of $44,740 to child, family and school social workers as of May 2009, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Medical and public health social workers in this type of hospital earned an average of $53,730, and mental health and substance abuse social workers earned an average of $49,830. Social work administrators and researchers working in general medical and surgical hospitals earned an average income of $58,260.
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals
Child, family and school social workers employed in psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals earned an average salary of $47,770 as of 2009, reports the BLS. Medical and public health social working positions in this type of hospital paid an average of $53,310, and mental health and substance abuse social working positions paid an average of $47,010. For social work administrators and researchers the average income in a psychiatric and substance abuse hospital was $51,510.
Specialty Hospitals
Specialty hospitals, such as those that focus on specific patients such as children or the elderly, offered an average salary of $47,340 to child, family and school social workers as of 2009, according to the bureau. Medical and public health social workers in specialty hospitals earned an average of $55,280, and mental health and substance abuse social workers in specialty hospitals earned an average of $36,920. For social work administrators and researchers, specialty hospitals offered an average salary of $57,640 annually.
Qualifications
The minimum educational requirement for social working positions is a bachelor's degree in social work, but many hospitals and health settings require a master's degree, due to the fact that social workers in these types of facilities often perform clinical work. Licensure is also required but varies from state to state, although obtaining a license typically requires two years of supervised clinical experience for hospital social workers.
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