Are you interested in a fulfilling career that can positively affect the well-being of individuals, groups, and communities in need? Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) provide clients with direct services and connect them with essential resources to improve their lives. This guide explores the steps to becoming an LCSW, along with work responsibilities, career pathways, and salary data.
Licensed clinical social workers have earned master of social work (MSW) degrees and completed the requirements to obtain professional social work licensure in their state. They provide direct clinical services to at-risk and vulnerable populations in many settings and collaborate with other social workers or healthcare professionals independently and in private practice.
LCSWs may work in specialized practice areas, including child, family and school social work, psychiatric social work, and mental health and substance abuse social work.
While responsibilities vary based on employer and specialization, LCSWs may perform similar duties across settings. These typically include:
A licensed clinical social worker can pursue employment in several settings, including government agencies, nonprofit facilities, community mental health centers, healthcare organizations, and private practice.
An LCSW must hold a license issued by the state where they work. Full reciprocity for social work licensure in the U.S. does not currently exist. While each state maintains different regulations, most licensing boards accept prior training and credentials earned in another state. LCSWs may hold multiple licenses if they meet each state’s requirements.
More advanced social work degrees typically deliver higher salaries. Because licensed clinical social workers have completed additional training to treat clients and offer specialized services, they make more than social workers with BSWs or MSWs without clinical licensure.
The average annual salary for LCSWs in 2023 is $63,140, according to Payscale data from June 2023. Salaries vary considerably according to years of experience, location, work setting, and responsibility level. The lowest-paid LCSWs earn an average annual salary of $47,000, while the top earners make about $84,000 a year.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that all social workers’ overall employment will grow by 9% from 2021-2031, which is faster than the average for all occupations. BLS projections also indicate that LCSWs with mental health and substance abuse specializations can anticipate an 11% job growth over the same period.
Learn more about social worker salaries and how earning power varies among different social work careers.
Each state board maintains specific standards for licensure eligibility. An LCSW generally must complete a CSWE-accredited MSW; pass the ASWB clinical exam; and fulfill any educational, field experience, or other requirements in the state where they intend to practice.
A licensed clinical social worker can find employment in many settings, including private practice, hospitals, government agencies, and community health centers. Specializations in fields such as school social work, forensics, and mental health and substance abuse can lead to job opportunities working with specific populations.
Traditional MSW programs take two years to complete with full-time attendance. A student with a BSW may enter an advanced standing program to complete the degree in one year, depending on the number of credits accepted towards the MSW.
An entry-level LCSW with less than a year on the job earns an average salary of $50,710. Midcareer LCSWs with 5-9 years of experience earn $64,730, on average, while experienced or late-career LCSWs with 10 or more years of experience earn over $68,000 a year.
Last Updated: June 19, 2023
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