Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require ... Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW ...
Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require ... Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW ...
Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require ... Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW ...
Social workers at the GS-9 entry level are typically assigned to program areas that do not require ... Appointment to the GS-11 grade level requires completion of a minimum of one year of post-MSW ...
Entry Level Msw information
See Riverside, CA salary details
$14.55 - $16.42
5% of jobs
$16.42 - $18.28
6% of jobs
$18.28 - $20.15
13% of jobs
$20.35 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$20.15 - $22.02
7% of jobs
$22.02 - $23.89
7% of jobs
The median wage is $24.98 / hr.
$23.89 - $25.76
19% of jobs
$25.76 - $27.63
14% of jobs
$27.63 - $29.50
2% of jobs
$29.76 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$29.50 - $31.37
9% of jobs
$31.37 - $33.24
12% of jobs
$33.24 - $35.11
5% of jobs
$14
$25
$35
How much do entry level msw jobs pay per hour?
What types of support and mentorship can an entry-level MSW expect when starting out in a social work agency?
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?
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level MSW (Master of Social Work), and why are they important?

$79K/yr
Other
Posted 4 days ago
Job description
Basic Requirements:
- United States Citizenship: 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
- 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
- English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
- 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).
- Experience, Education, and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- (a) Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.
- (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.
Grade Determinations: Social Worker, GS-11
- 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.
- NOTE: For appointment licensure or certification at this level please refer to paragraph 3c. OR
- 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.
- 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: 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: Traveling throughout the medical center and the community is required, as is performing activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files. May be necessary to travel into the community where they conduct interviews with the Veterans, their families, representatives of community health and welfare agencies, etc. Requires use of federal vehicles for the delivery of community-based services. Must be medically cleared and trained before operating a federal vehicle, pursuant to VHA Directive 2008-020. REQUIRED TO BE CERTIFIED as an Incidental Driver. May require a history review and if pertinent issues, may need to submit to a physical to be certified as an Incidental Driver. As part of the certification, required to be evaluated or examined as determined by Occupational Health. There are no specific required lab tests however, during the medical history taking exam, the Examiner is required to evaluate any condition reasonably and adequately before providing the medical clearance.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