5 Reasons to Become a Clinical Social Worker in Georgia
Social work in Georgia has continually evolved to meet the needs of its diverse population. It began in the early 19th century when charitable and religious groups in the state provided organized social services. Today, over 14,000 social workers are employed across Georgia's public, private, and governmental organizations. They play a critical role in providing essential support, especially as the demand for mental health care services rises.
Pursuing your Georgia social work license can positively shape your life and the lives of countless others. This blog post explores the personal and professional benefits of becoming a clinical social worker in Georgia. It also highlights the importance of earning a Master of Social Work (MSW) and introduces a program option for individuals interested in MSW programs in Georgia.
Reason #1: Make a Difference in Your Community
The demand for mental health care services in Georgia is growing. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF):
- The prevalence of certain behavioral health conditions is higher than in the nation overall, such as anxiety and depressive disorder.
- The state’s age-adjusted suicide rate has exceeded the national level since 2018.
- The rate of deaths resulting from drug overdoses is increasing in Georgia.
When you become a clinical social worker, you can help people build healthier and more fulfilling lives. The role of a clinical social worker is to support the mental, emotional, and behavioral health of individuals, families, couples, and groups. Clinical social workers diagnose, treat, and prevent mental disorders and emotional and behavioral disturbances.
Clinical social workers help clients with ongoing behavioral health conditions, including substance abuse, and provide immediate guidance and care to those experiencing acute distress.
Becoming a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in Georgia will allow you to address mental health care needs in your community, improving mental health.
Reason #2: Support Diverse Client Populations
Georgia has vast cultural and demographic diversity. As a result, clinical social workers serve varied client populations, each with distinct mental health care needs. Working with people from different backgrounds can be rewarding for social workers striving to grow personally and professionally.
Here are just a few characteristics of Georgia’s population:
- Ethnicity & Race: Georgia is becoming more ethnically and racially diverse. From 2010 to 2020, the probability that two randomly chosen individuals will represent different race and ethnicity groups increased from 58.8% to 64.1%.
- Aging Population: The population of older adults is growing. Between 2010 and 2022, the fastest-growing age group was 65 and over, increasing by 58%.
- Poverty: Approximately 1 in 10 adults and 2 in 10 children live in poverty in Georgia.
- Geography: Almost 2 in 10 Georgians reside in nonmetropolitan areas.
- Sexual Orientation: Georgia is among the ten states with the largest number of adults who identify as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)—402,900 or 5.1% of the population.
Georgia social workers provide culturally competent care that improves people's lives in diverse populations, including underserved communities. By addressing systemic issues impacting mental health and well-being, they also contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society.
Reason #3: Gain Strong Employment Prospects
The demand for mental health care services has created strong employment prospects for LCSWs in Georgia. This is another benefit of pursuing a clinical social work career in the Peach State.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the national employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers to increase by 11% from 2022 to 2032. However, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the projected growth in Georgia is 17%. This is higher than the national figure and the 12th highest of all states. Between 2022 and 2032, the number of mental health and substance abuse social workers employed in Georgia is expected to grow from 1,360 to 1,590. This equates to 130 average annual job openings.
Opportunities for clinical social worker jobs vary by industry and location. There may be more in the following industries and metropolitan areas, which have the most job postings for social workers with master’s degrees (Lightcast Labor Insights, May 2024). Because LCSWs in Georgia need a minimum of a master’s degree in social work, they are well-positioned for job opportunities in these specific industries and areas.
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Top Industries for MSW Jobs |
Top Metropolitan Areas for MSW Jobs |
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Reason #4: Earn a Competitive Salary
As an LCSW in Georgia, you can earn a competitive salary. The median salary of Georgia mental health and substance abuse social workers is $47,340. However, the highest-paid 10% earns more than $82,570.
Multiple factors can affect a social worker's salary, including location, industry, and educational background.
Geographic Location
Where you decide to work in Georgia can influence your salary. The earning potential for mental health and substance abuse social workers is highest in Atlanta. Here, the median salary is $50,430, and the highest earnings are close to six figures.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary by Georgia Location
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Location |
Median Salary |
Top 10% Salary |
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Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA |
$50,430 |
$95,380 |
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Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC |
$46,240 |
$73,540 |
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Chattanooga, TN-GA |
$43,990 |
$62,460 |
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Athens-Clarke County, GA |
$43,250 |
$61,040 |
Industry
The industry also affects salary. Nationwide, social workers in government and educational services earn the highest median salaries. Clinical social workers in Georgia may improve their earning potential by seeking jobs in these industries.
U.S. Social Worker Salary by Industry
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Industry |
Median Salary |
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Local government, excluding education and hospitals |
$64,550 |
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Educational services; state, local, and private |
$62,980 |
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State government, excluding education and hospitals |
$54,600 |
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Individual and family services |
$48,550 |
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Community and vocational rehabilitation services |
$46,650 |
Education
The highest degree in social work you hold is another factor in salary potential. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the salary of individuals with an MSW is $13,000 higher than those with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). In Georgia, the median salary advertised in job postings for social workers with a master’s degree is $73,500 (Lightcast Labor Insights, May 2024).
Reason #5: Access a National Leader in Social Work Education
Another reason to become an LCSW in Georgia is that you will have access to a national leader in social work education. If you are interested in MSW programs in Georgia, you may want to consider Florida State University’s online Master of Social Work program. Offered online for over 20 years, it will connect you with FSU’s distinguished legacy, curriculum, and educators from anywhere with an internet connection and qualify you to pursue a clinical social work license in Georgia.
The online MSW program at FSU is one of the country's most reputable and respected MSW programs and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The clinically-focused curriculum prepares candidates to become professional social workers who can help empower and meet the basic needs of diverse populations, including people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
There are two part-time program tracks based on your bachelor’s degree:
- Advanced Standing MSW: This program is for those with a BSW. It can be completed in two years or less with one in-field placement.
- Traditional MSW: For those with a bachelor’s degree in another study area. Complete in three years with two in-field placements.
FSU has offered classes on social welfare for more than 100 years, establishing the university as a center of social work practice and policy. Preparing to become a clinical social worker in Georgia with FSU will empower you to make an even more significant impact within your community.
Learn More About FSU'S Online MSW Programs in Georgia
How to Become a Clinical Social Worker in Georgia?
Social workers must be licensed to provide clinical social work services in their state of practice. Each state has unique licensing requirements.
Here are the steps to obtain a Georgia social work license in clinical social work:
- Earn a minimum of a master's degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
- After graduation, demonstrate at least 3,000 hours of LCSW-supervised work over the three years before licensure application.
- Submit a clinical social worker license application to the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists.
- Pass the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Clinical exam.
Read more about obtaining a social work license in Georgia.
Earn an MSW Online from Florida State University and Start Your LCSW Career in Georgia
When you become a clinical social worker in Georgia, you can make a difference by addressing mental health care needs and working with diverse populations. You will also benefit from solid job prospects and earning potential.
Georgia needs more qualified mental health care professionals. Earning your MSW online from FSU will prepare you to help your community as a clinical social worker. You can start your program application at any time and select from three convenient start dates.
As a student in FSU’s online MSW program, you will benefit from:
- Exceptional Quality & Brand Recognition: Learn with a national leader in social work education, ranked in the top 12% of Best Social Work Schools by U.S. News & World Report 2024.
- Clinically-Focused Curriculum & Career: Advance your career and community through a world-class, clinically-focused social work curriculum.
- Prestigious & Diverse Connections: Grow your connections by 400,000+ FSU social work graduates and fellow social workers.
Imagine the impact you could make as an LCSW in Georgia. Broaden your horizons with an online MSW from Florida State University’s College of Social Work.