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Entry Level Social Work Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Entry Level Social Work information

See Virginia salary details

$34.2K

$75.6K

$116K

How much do entry level social work jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level social work in Virginia is $75,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What can I do to get started as an entry level social worker?

To start as an entry-level social worker, obtain a bachelor's degree in social work or a related field, and consider gaining experience through internships or volunteer work in social service settings. Many positions require state licensure or certification, which may involve passing an exam and completing supervised hours. Developing strong communication, empathy, and organizational skills is also beneficial for entry-level roles.

What is the difference between Entry Level Social Work vs Case Manager?

AspectEntry Level Social WorkCase Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in social work or related fieldBachelor's degree often required; certifications like CSM may be preferred
Work EnvironmentCommunity agencies, schools, healthcare settingsHealthcare facilities, social service agencies, community organizations
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment, non-profits, healthcare providersHealthcare, social services, insurance companies
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Social Work and Case Manager roles often require similar educational backgrounds and are found in comparable settings. While social workers may focus more on advocacy and counseling, case managers typically coordinate services and resources for clients. Both roles serve vital functions in social services, with overlapping skills and environments.

What is an entry level social worker?

Entry level social work jobs are positions for individuals who are new to the social work field, often requiring a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) or a related discipline. These roles typically involve assisting clients with accessing resources, conducting assessments, and supporting experienced social workers. Common job titles include case manager, social services assistant, and family support worker. Entry level social workers work in a variety of settings such as schools, hospitals, and community agencies, and they help individuals and families cope with challenges related to health, housing, and social services. These positions provide valuable experience and often serve as stepping stones to more advanced roles in social work.

What types of clients and cases can I expect to work with as an entry level social worker?

As an entry-level social worker, you will typically work with diverse populations such as children, families, elderly individuals, or those experiencing homelessness, depending on your placement. Your caseload may involve supporting clients with accessing resources, navigating social services, and addressing issues like housing instability, mental health, or child welfare. You’ll often collaborate closely with supervisors, experienced social workers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure clients receive comprehensive care while you build your professional skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level social worker?

To thrive as an Entry Level Social Worker, you need a foundational knowledge of social work principles, case management, and a relevant bachelor's degree in social work or a related field. Familiarity with client management software, documentation systems, and sometimes state licensure or certification is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and problem-solving abilities help build trust and support diverse clients. These skills ensure effective service delivery, advocacy, and support for individuals and communities in need.

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Work jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Social Work jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Social Work jobs in Virginia?

For Entry Level Social Work jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Social Work jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Social Work jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Entry Level Social Work jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Entry Level Social Work job openings:

Entry Level Social Work jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Social Work job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,611 per year, or $36.4 per hour.

Social Worker (BHIP Psychotherapist)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chesapeake, VA

$70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

This position is located within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (HVAMC), under the Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service Line. This Social Work Psychotherapist position is aligned with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program/Outpatient Mental Health Services and and provides psychotherapy services, intakes, and crisis intervention in a team context.
Qualifications:This is a multi-disciplinary position which may be filled by any of the following series: LICENSED PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR (0183), PSYCHOLOGIST (0180), or SOCIAL WORK THERAPIST (0185).
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.
  • English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
  • 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.
    • 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.
      • For appointments at the GS-9 grade level, VHA social workers who are not licensed or certified at the time of appointment must become licensed or certified at the independent, master's level within three years of their appointment as a social worker. Most states require two years of post-MSW experience as a prerequisite to taking the licensure/certification exam, and VHA gives social workers one additional year to pass the licensure/certification exam. In states such as California, Washington, and others where the prerequisites for licensure exceed two years, social workers must become licensed at the independent, master's level within one year of meeting the full state prerequisites for licensure.
      • A social worker who does not yet have a license that allows independent practice must be supervised by a licensed independent practitioner of the same discipline who is a VA staff member and who has access to the electronic health record.
    • Failure to Obtain License or Certification: In all cases, social workers must actively pursue meeting state prerequisites for licensure or certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become licensed or certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0185 social worker series and may result in termination of employment.
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).
GS-9 Experience, Education and Licensure. None beyond the basic requirements.
Entry Level Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-9 grade level social workers are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised, as they are not yet functioning at the independent practice level conferred by independent licensure or certification.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to utilize a Veteran centric approach when providing interventions and counseling for Veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate with clients, staff, and representatives of community agencies.
  • 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.

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.
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:
  • Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services.
  • Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
GS-11 is the full performance level. Social workers at this level are licensed or certified to independently practice social work. Incumbents are assigned to all program areas, including but not limited to: inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, and geriatrics. Employees provide professional, independent social work services in the assigned area.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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

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