Top Jobs After MSW, MSSW, or MSSA: Find Your Best Career Path

Are you asking, “What jobs can I get after MSW, MSSW, or MSSA?” You’re in the right place! These Social Work Degrees open the door to so many great careers that help others and pay well too. Whether you’re just starting or thinking about your future, this guide will show you the Career Outcomes after each degree in a simple, friendly way.

What Do MSW, MSSW, and MSSA Mean?

Acronym	Full Name	Used By
MSW	Master of Social Work	Most U.S. universities
MSSW	Master of Science in Social Work	UT Austin, Univ. of Louisville, etc.
MSSA	Master of Science in Social Administration	Case Western Reserve, etc.

Bottom Line: All three are graduate Social Work degrees. If your program is CSWE-accredited, they qualify you for the same jobs and licenses.

Do Employers Care Which One You Get?

Not really. Employers look at:

•  CSWE Accreditation (This means your degree meets national standards)
  
•  Licensure Requirements (Can you become an LCSW or LMSW?)
  
•  Your focus: clinical, policy, or school Social Work?
  

As long as your degree is accredited, you’re good to go!

What Can I Do with an MSW Degree?

You can work as a:

• Clinical Social Worker
• School Social Worker
• Healthcare Social Worker
• Policy Analyst
• Case Manager
• Nonprofit Program Director

Career Outcomes After MSW, MSSW, or MSSA

You can choose from many paths in Social Work. Some jobs need a license, others don’t.

Job Title	Avg. Salary	License Required?
Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)	$60K–$85K	✅ Yes
School Social Worker	$50K–$75K	✅ Yes
Healthcare Social Worker	$60K–$90K	✅ Yes
Case Manager	$45K–$65K	❌ No (some)
Policy Analyst	$65K–$100K+	❌ No
Nonprofit Director	$70K–$110K	❌ No
Community Organizer	$40K–$60K	❌ No

MSSW degree career options in 2025 are growing fast, especially in mental health, schools, and healthcare.

What’s the Difference?

 MSW – The most popular degree. It’s often used in online MSW with field placement programs. It’s easy to find and widely accepted.

 MSSW – Found in schools like UT Austin, it might have a bit more focus on research or policy and advocacy roles.

MSSA – Used mainly by Case Western, this one may lean more toward administration, leadership, and macro vs micro Social Work.

What’s the Same in All These Degrees?

Feature	MSW	MSSW	MSSA
CSWE Accredited	✅	✅	✅
Field Placements	✅	✅	✅
Clinical/Macro Tracks	✅	✅	✅
Licensure Prep	✅	✅	✅
Program Length	2 Yrs	2 Yrs	2 Yrs
Social Work Salary Potential	Similar for all

 Best Social Work Fields in 2025

These areas are growing fast and offer strong job security:

• Mental Health Services
  
• Healthcare Social Work
  
• Child Welfare
  
• School-Based Counseling
  
• Trauma-Informed Care
  
• Policy and Advocacy Roles
  
• Social Work and Telehealth
  
• Jobs for MSW in Tech Companies
  

Social Work Salary Breakdown by Experience

Degree	Starting Salary	Mid-Career	Top 10%
MSW	$50K–$60K	$70K–$85K	$100K+
MSSW	$50K–$60K	$70K–$85K	$100K+
MSSA	$50K–$60K	$70K–$85K	$100K+

Highest-paying jobs after MSW often include roles in healthcare, private therapy, and government leadership.

Salary may be change due to location,country and expereince level.

Where Can You Work?

You can work in:

• Government Agencies
• Nonprofits and NGOs
• Hospitals and Healthcare Systems
• School Districts
• Tech Startups (for DEI & mental health programs)

Why Job Growth Is Rising for Social Workers

According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics):

• Job outlook is +7% from 2023 to 2033
• Over 67,000 new job openings expected each year
• Growing need in mental health, aging care, and schools

Licensure and Your Future

All three degrees can help you earn:

•  LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker)
  
•  LCSW (after supervised hours)
  
•  School Social Work credentials (if program includes it)
  

Make sure your program is CSWE-accredited—that’s what matters most for Social Work licensing.

Boost Your Career with Certifications

Consider earning:

• Trauma-Informed Care Certificate
• DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Training
• Telehealth Social Work Certification

These help your resume stand out—especially in 2025 job markets!

Choosing the Best Fit for You

Goal	Best Degree
Want a widely known title	MSW
Planning to attend UT Austin	MSSW
Interested in leadership/admin	MSSA
Looking for clinical roles	Any (w/ clinical track)
Prefer online or hybrid programs	MSW
Love policy & systems change	MSSW or MSSA

Student Voices 

Final Thoughts:

No matter if you go with MSW, MSSW, or MSSA, you’re picking a path filled with purpose, growth, and opportunity.

Pick a program that:

• Is CSWE-accredited
• Matches your career goals
• Offers great fieldwork experience
• Supports your lifestyle (online, in-person, or hybrid)

Want More?