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$34.5K

$76.3K

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How much do correctional social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for correctional social worker in the United States is $76,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by correctional social workers in their daily work?

Correctional Social Workers often encounter complex cases involving mental health issues, substance abuse, and trauma, which can be emotionally demanding. They may also face challenges such as limited resources, high caseloads, and navigating strict security protocols within correctional facilities. Additionally, building trust with inmates while maintaining professional boundaries requires great skill and patience. However, these challenges are balanced by the rewarding opportunity to facilitate positive change and support individuals in their rehabilitation and reintegration efforts.

What is a correctional social worker?

A Correctional Social Worker provides support and rehabilitation services to incarcerated individuals, helping them address mental health issues, substance abuse, and reintegration challenges. They assess inmates' needs, develop treatment plans, and offer counseling to promote positive behavioral changes. Additionally, they collaborate with correctional staff, legal professionals, and community organizations to ensure effective reentry programs. Their goal is to reduce recidivism and improve the overall well-being of those in the criminal justice system.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a correctional social worker?

To succeed as a Correctional Social Worker, you need a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, relevant licensure, and a solid understanding of mental health and criminal justice systems. Experience with case management software, risk assessment tools, and familiarity with correctional facility protocols is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, resilience, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication are crucial for building rapport with incarcerated individuals and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable Correctional Social Workers to effectively support rehabilitation, manage caseloads, and maintain safety in challenging correctional environments.

More about Correctional Social Worker jobs
What cities are hiring for Correctional Social Worker jobs? Cities with the most Correctional Social Worker job openings:
What states have the most Correctional Social Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Correctional Social Worker jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Correctional Social Worker jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Correctional Social Worker jobs are:
Correctional Social Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Correctional Social Worker job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,266 per year, or $36.7 per hour.

Correctional Social Worker

LOUISIANA WORKFORCE, LLC

Dequincy, LA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago

Job description

The correctional social worker position provides the mental health support for the inmate population as well as conducting CBT groups for the STEP Program. Mental health support involves one on one counseling, mental health assessments as requested by staff, review and assessment of suicide, watch offenders on the cell block. Coordinating services between mental health and medical staff.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide group facilitation of CBT courses for the STEP Program
  • Conduct individual psychotherapy sessions with offenders as needed
  • Conduct mental health assessments or intake for all STEP offenders
  • Provide professional mental health assessments for suicide watch offenders on the cell block
  • Maintain class rosters, sign in sheets, provide weekly electronic update reports to STEP Directors
  • Assess needs of inmates and make referrals to appropriate staff

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Preferred Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Professional Counselor with minimum five years' experience and social services. Correctional experience is preferred. Criminal. MSW and Professional Counselors undergoing professional supervision provision in preparation of professional licensure is acceptable. Experience with child abuse trauma is helpful.

COMPETENCIES

  • Detail Oriented
  • Initiative
  • Organizational Skills
  • Confidentiality
  • Time management
  • Multitask

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job is located at a correctional facility; however, this job operates primarily in a professional office setting and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

OTHER DUTIES

Mental health assessments of inmates who appear to be mentally unstable. Preparation and submission of special transfer request may be necessary from time to time. Some mental health support of staff having to deal with traumatic events is required.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Type:

Full-Time

Schedule:

Monday-Friday (7:30am-3:30pm shift)

Benefits:

  • Insurance (Health, Dental, Disability, Vision, and Life)
  • Paid time off after 1 year

Work Location:

Louisiana Workforce, LLC. Dequincy, La.

Louisiana Workforce Commission logo

About Louisiana Workforce Commission

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s vision is to make Louisiana the best place in the country to get a job or grow a business, and our goal is to be the country's best workforce agency. Our mission is simple and straightforward – we put people to work. Today, the LWC is ideally positioned and structured to support and serve Louisiana’s employers, job seekers and workforce partners.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Baton Rouge, LA, US

Year founded

2008

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