Social Worker
$61K/yr
Social Worker, GS-9 (Entry Level) (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic ... Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW ...
Social Worker
$61K/yr
Social Worker, GS-9 (Entry Level) (1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic ... Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW ...
Entry Level Msw information
See Georgia salary details
$11.77 - $13.29
5% of jobs
$13.29 - $14.80
6% of jobs
$14.80 - $16.31
13% of jobs
$16.47 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$16.31 - $17.82
7% of jobs
$17.82 - $19.34
7% of jobs
The median wage is $20.22 / hr.
$19.34 - $20.85
19% of jobs
$20.85 - $22.36
14% of jobs
$22.36 - $23.88
2% of jobs
$24.09 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$23.88 - $25.39
9% of jobs
$25.39 - $26.90
12% of jobs
$26.90 - $28.42
5% of jobs
$11
$20
$28
How much do entry level msw jobs pay per hour?
As of Aug 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level msw in Georgia is $20.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $24.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What types of support and mentorship can an entry level MSW expect when starting out in a social work agency?
As an entry-level MSW, you can typically expect structured onboarding, mentorship from more experienced social workers, and regular supervision sessions. Many agencies offer orientation programs, ongoing training, and opportunities to shadow senior staff to help you transition smoothly into your caseload and responsibilities. Supervision not only supports your professional development but also provides a safe space to discuss challenging cases and ethical dilemmas. Additionally, team meetings and interdisciplinary collaboration are common, which help foster a supportive environment and facilitate learning from colleagues in related fields.
What is the difference between Entry Level Msw vs Social Worker?
| Aspect | Entry Level Msw | Social Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Master's in Social Work (MSW), State Licensure | Varies; often requires MSW and licensure |
| Work Environment | Hospitals, clinics, community agencies | Same as Entry Level Msw |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Healthcare, social services, non-profits | Same as Entry Level Msw |
| Common Search & Comparison | Entry Level Msw vs Social Worker |
Both roles typically require an MSW and state licensure, with similar work environments in healthcare and social service agencies. The main difference is that 'Social Worker' can refer to a broader range of experience levels, while 'Entry Level Msw' specifically indicates a starting position for recent graduates. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers target the right roles in the social work field.
What are entry level MSW jobs?
Entry level MSW jobs are positions available to individuals who have recently earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and often require little to no prior professional experience in the field. These roles typically involve providing support to clients, assisting with case management, conducting assessments, and collaborating with other professionals to address clients’ needs. Common settings include hospitals, schools, community agencies, and government organizations. Entry level MSWs may work under the supervision of licensed social workers and have opportunities to gain the experience needed for advanced licensure and specialization.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level MSW, and why are they important?
To thrive as an Entry Level MSW, you need a master's degree in social work from an accredited program and a foundational understanding of case management and social work ethics. Familiarity with client management systems, documentation software, and state licensure requirements is often necessary. Excellent communication, active listening, and cultural competence are crucial soft skills for building trust and advocating for clients. These skills and qualifications are essential for effectively supporting diverse populations and ensuring compliance with professional standards in social services.
What are the most commonly searched types of Msw jobs in Georgia? The most popular types of Msw jobs in Georgia are:
$61K/yr
Other
Posted 6 days ago
Job description
The Social Worker is located in the VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS), Ray Hendrix Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic, Statesboro, Georgia, Social Work Service Line. Incumbent may be assigned to a variety of clinical programs with a wide range of acute activities; providing inpatient and outpatient services and treatment plans for patients.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the Unites States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
Social Worker, GS-9 (Entry Level)
(1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members.
(b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
(c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
(d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
(e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.
Social Worker, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
(1) Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
OR
(2) Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds.
(c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
(d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
(e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.
Reference: Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II Appendix G39 Effective Date 9/10/2019. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the Unites States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education: Have a master's degree in social work from a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do not meet this requirement until the School of Social Work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may NOT be substituted for the master's degree in social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation to verify that the social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a masters of social work.
Licensure. Persons hired or reassigned to social worker positions in the GS-0185 series in VHA must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. Current state requirements may be found by going tohttp://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/T38Hybrid/.
- Exception: VHA may waive the licensure or certification requirement for persons who are otherwise qualified, pending completion of state prerequisites for licensure/certification examinations. This exception only applies at the GS-9 grade level. For the GS-11 grade level and above, the candidate must be licensed or certified. At the time of appointment, the supervisor, chief social work or social work executive will provide the unlicensed/uncertified social worker with the written requirements for licensure or certification, including the time by which the license or certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming licensed or certified by the deadline.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations:
Social Worker, GS-9 (Entry Level)
(1) Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to utilize counseling skills when working with Veterans and family members.
(b) Ability to assess the psychosocial functioning and needs of Veterans and their family members, and to formulate and implement a treatment plan, identifying the Veterans problems, strengths, weaknesses, coping skills, and assistance needed.
(c) Ability to implement treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups to achieve treatment goals. This requires judgment and skill in utilizing supportive, problem solving, or crisis intervention techniques.
(d) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
(e) Fundamental knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities, and treatment procedures. This includes acute, chronic, and traumatic illnesses/injuries; common medications and their effects/side effects; and medical terminology.
Social Worker, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)
(1) Experience and Licensure. Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the field of health care or other social work-related settings, (VA or non-VA experience) and licensure or certification in a state at the independent practice level.
OR
(2) Education. In addition to meeting basic requirements, a doctoral degree in social work from a school of social work may be substituted for the required one year of professional social work experience in a clinical setting.
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
(b) Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds.
(c) Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan.
(d) Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals.
(e) Ability to provide consultation services to new social workers, social work graduate students, and other staff about the psychosocial needs of patients and the impact of psychosocial problems on health care and compliance with treatment.
Reference: Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II Appendix G39 Effective Date 9/10/2019. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER