Social workers held about 595,000 jobs in 2006. About 5 out of 10 jobs were
in health care and social assistance industries and 3 out of 10 are employed
by State and local government agencies, primarily in departments of health
and human services. Although most social workers are employed in cities or
suburbs, some work in rural areas. Employment by type of social worker in
2006, follows:
| Child, family, and school social workers |
282,000 |
| Medical and public health social workers |
124,000 |
| Mental health and substance abuse social workers |
122,000 |
| Social workers, all other |
66,000 |
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook
Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
