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Travel Social Work: Everything You Need To Know For 2024

Kirby sibiski.

• Travel Social Work
• Published: November 3, 2023
• Last Updated: March 19, 2024

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Looking to earn a higher salary as a social worker or explore new places? Then travel social work may be a great fit for you!

In order to fill critical staffing shortages, many facilities are turning to these employees to complete short-term assignments. Better yet, because the demand to fill these positions is so high, you’ll also be able to make a lot more money.

Additionally, since most contracts last about 13 weeks, you’ll have plenty of time to get acquainted with the city you work in. There are contracts available all across the country, and you have the freedom to choose wherever you want to go.

So, let’s explore what exactly travel social work is, why it’s a great option for social workers, and how to get started.

Table of Contents

What is travel social work, 5 benefits of travel social work, travel social worker salary, travel social work jobs, how to become a travel social worker, best travel social work companies, is travel social work worth it, get started with travel social work today, travel social work faqs, explore travel social work opportunities.

Travel Social Work involves social workers fulfilling short-term contracts in areas where their services are in high demand. Rather than work in one facility long-term, they move to different locations across the country.

Facilities often hire travel social workers in response to specific needs, such as:

• Staffing shortages
• Natural disasters
• Public health crises

Travel social work opportunities are available for all types of social workers, whether you’re a BSW, MSW, or LCSW. You’ll also find jobs in a variety of settings, including schools, healthcare facilities, or even emergency response environments.

There are two key advantages of this career path. First, you get to travel to and explore new places. Second, because you’re filling high-demand roles, you can typically earn more money as a travel social worker.

Best of all, you get to provide your services and help people where they need it most, while reaping the financial and lifestyle benefits of your valuable knowledge and skill set.

Travel social work comes with a number of advantages that traditional full-time social work doesn’t.

Below, we discuss some of the unique advantages of these contract positions, from higher salaries to greater flexibility.

1. Higher Salary

One of the best things about travel work is that you’ll earn a higher salary compared to a traditional full-time job. This is because you’re filling positions with high-demand, making your skills more valuable.

We’ll get into the specific numbers later, but on average travel social workers make over 50% more than the average salary of traditional LCSWs.

So, if you want to prioritize making as much money as possible, you should definitely consider this career path.

2. Explore New Places

Another great aspect of travel social work is that you get to travel to and explore new places. You can find positions in just about every state, from Hawaii and California to New York and Texas.

Whether you want to spend some time in a big city or take on a more rural assignment, there are lots of options to choose from. 

Once you’ve got a lot of experience, you could even consider international social work opportunities, though this process is more complicated and competitive.

Better yet, most travel social work agencies provide housing or a housing stipend, which makes finding accommodation less of a burden.

3. Professional Development & Personal Growth

By traveling to different locations and gaining experience in a variety of settings and cases, you’ll be able to expand on your current skills and knowledge. 

This exposure can also help you figure out which area of the field you’re most passionate about. From there, you may look to start specializing in that particular area or commit to it full-time.

Traveling to new places can also help your personal growth as you interact with new communities and cultures.

4. Flexibility

Travel social work also gives you the ability to be flexible about when and where you work. 

Since contracts often last only 13 weeks, you don’t have to worry about being stuck in one place for too long. Additionally, you have the option to take breaks in between contracts if you want to.

You can also choose where you work. For example, if you hate the cold winters in the northeast, consider a travel social work placement in California.

5. Impact On Diverse Communities

Finally, travel social workers can impact diverse communities by bringing essential skills to areas where they’re needed most. 

By introducing fresh perspectives and practices, you can not only address urgent issues, but also help foster long-term community resilience. 

This exchange of knowledge and cultural insights between you and the community you serve can lead to improvements in social services in the overall community.

The average travel social worker salary is $2,179 per week, which translates to about $113,00 per year.

Meanwhile, BLS reports that the average salary for traditional social workers is just $55,350 per year.

Fortunately, the numbers are a little better for those with advanced degrees and licensure. Salary.com reports that the average permanent-staff MSW salary is $71,149, and they report the average salary for staff LCSWs is $79,000.

Still, the average salary for travel social workers is significantly greater than it is for traditional employees.

There are travel social work jobs available for all kinds of social workers, including BSW, MSW, and LCSW. We discuss these different types of roles below.

Finally, we’ll touch on international social work jobs, which can be an exciting opportunity for highly-experienced social workers.

Travel BSW Jobs

While the majority of travel social work jobs prefer candidates to have their Master of Social Work, there are still opportunities for Licensed Bachelor Social Workers.

You can find travel BSW jobs in areas like care coordination and case management. Just keep in mind that you won’t have as many locations to choose from. 

Additionally, while you should earn a higher pay compared to full-time LBSWs, you won’t earn nearly as much as those with more advanced education.

Travel MSW Jobs

If you want to make more money and have more flexibility, then you should earn your Master’s degree and check out travel MSW jobs.

Most travel social work opportunities require at least an MSW. So, if you want access to more locations, more specialized work, and higher pay, we recommend you go for your MSW as soon as possible.

By advancing your education and skills, you’ll be eligible for travel MSW jobs as diverse as medical social work and school social work.

Travel LCSW Jobs

The best way to maximize your earning potential and job opportunities is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. While becoming a LCSW requires an MSW in addition to thousands of hours of clinical supervision, it’s typically a worthwhile investment.

Travel LCSW jobs are the highest-paying social work opportunities, and you’ll have access to a large pool of job openings.

So, while it may take some time to become an LCSW, the sooner you can earn your credentials, the sooner you can apply to the jobs you want most.

International Social Work Jobs

One more type of travel social work job is international social work jobs. These positions are typically filled by NGOs or global social welfare organizations.

International Social Work typically requires the most experience of any of the other types. Not only do you usually need an advanced degree and years of experience, but you’ll also need excellent cultural competence. You may even need language skills depending on the location.

Ultimately, becoming an international social worker may be a long and tough challenge, but it’s also an amazing way to make an impact on the world and address issues like:

• Human rights
• Disaster relief
• Community development

There are a few different routes you can take to become a travel social worker . The one you choose depends on your own personal goals.

Since becoming a travel LCSW opens you up to the most employment opportunities and highest salaries, we’ll cover this pathway below. Plus, you’ll earn your BSW and MSW credentials along the way.

So, here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a travel social worker.

1. Earn Your Bachelor of Social Work Degree

The first step toward becoming any type of social worker is to earn your Bachelor of Social Work degree. 

While there are Associate of Social Work degree programs, the BSW will prepare you for entry-level social work jobs, as well as future studies in a master’s program. If you hope to become a travel social worker, you’ll need at least your bachelor’s degree.

Your coursework will likely center around three main pillars:

• Theoretical Knowledge: Social work theory, human behavior, social welfare policy, and ethics in social work
• Practical Skills: Case management skills, intervention strategies, community engagement, and advocacy
• Field Education: Hands-on experience in real-world social work settings under supervision

It typically takes about four years of full-time study to earn your BSW. However, you may also opt to take courses part-time, which could add to the time it takes to finish the program.

2. Earn Your Master of Social Work Degree

Once you earn your BSW, we recommend you go straight into a Master or Social Work (MSW) degree program. This is because the quicker you can earn more advanced credentials, the faster you can jump into travel social work.

While some people decide to gain some experience after graduating or become an LBSW, this isn’t typically a requirement to enter an MSW program. The field work you complete in your bachelor’s program should display your readiness to enroll.

Better yet, most BSW graduates have Advanced Standing because of their foundational education and training in their undergraduate program. This means you can typically complete the MSW program in just one-year of full-time study, unlike other students who may take two or more years.

In addition to an internship or field placement, you’ll also take advanced courses focused on specialized areas of social work, like:

• Clinical practice
• Community and social justice work
• Policy practice
• Child and family welfare
• School social work
• Healthcare social work

The specialty you choose can have a big impact on the trajectory of career and available travel social work opportunities. So, be sure to carefully consider which one may suit you best.

3. Pass The ASWB Master’s Exam and Gain Licensure

After completing your MSW program, you must take the ASWB master’s exam . Administered by the Association of Social Work Boards, this test ensures you have the necessary knowledge and skills to practice.

The multiple-choice test covers a broad range of topics, including:

• Assessment and intervention planning
• Human development and behavior

Once you pass the Master’s ASWB, you can apply to become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). Each state has different guidelines for licensure, so be sure to check your state’s social worker board website.

4. Gain Supervised Clinical Social Work Experience

Now that you’re officially an LMSW, you need to find a job and gain some experience. Once you have a year or two under your belt, you’ll likely qualify for some travel social work jobs.

However, to really open yourself up to a lot of travel social work opportunities, you’ll want to pursue becoming a LCSW.

To do so, you need to complete clinical hours under the supervision of an existing LCSW or similarly qualified mental health professional. The number of required hours varies by state though.

For example, Pennsylvania requires 3,000 clinical hours, while New York requires 2,000 clinical hours. Gaining these hours could take anywhere from one to three years.

5. Pass The ASWB Clinical Exam and Obtain LCSW Licensure

Before you can become an LCSW, you need to pass the ASWB Clinical Exam . 

Like the master’s exam, the clinical exam is a multiple-choice test. It consists of 170 questions, of which 150 are scored and 20 are used to develop future exams. The exam primarily focuses on the areas of clinical:

• Treatment planning
• Intervention

You answer questions covering a wide array of topics, from human development and psychotherapy to case management and ethics.

After passing the exam, you can finally apply for your LCSW license. The specific application requirements vary by state, but generally involve passing the clinical ASWB, background checks, degree verification, and more.

6. Get Additional Certification (Optional)

While not mandatory, social workers can also choose to gain certification in their area of specialty. There are specialization opportunities for both BSWs and MSWs, but some common master’s social work specialties include:

• Certified Clinical Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs Social Worker (C-CATODSW)
• Clinical Social Worker in Gerontology (CSW-G)
• Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC)
• Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Social Worker (ACHP-SW)
• Certified Advanced Children, Youth, and Family Social Worker (C-ACYFSW)

There are no exams required to become certified, but you will need to complete continuing education credits and thousands of supervised clinical hours in your population focus. You’ll also need an MSW-level license and/or passing score on the master’s ASWB exam.

Overall, getting certified can make you a more desirable candidate when looking for jobs. When it comes to travel social work placements, this could make it easier to find contacts in your most desired locations.

7. Find A Travel Social Work Agency

At this point you have years of schooling and thousands of hours of clinical experience under your belt, giving you valuable knowledge and skills required to succeed as a travel social worker.

Because of your expertise, you’ll now be a strong candidate for a huge pool of travel social work jobs. So, the best way to find placements is to connect with a travel social work agency.

These companies work as an intermediary between facilities and social workers to fill in-demand positions across the country. Better yet, they often provide top-tier benefits, housing stipends, and higher pay than traditional roles.

You’ll work with the agency’s recruiters to let them know about your qualifications and specialties. Additionally, you can let them know about your desired locations, salary, contract length, and more.

Finally, the travel social work agency will match you up with a facility that’s in line with your qualifications and interests. From there, you can start your first travel job in no time.

Enjoy the journey!

Choosing the right travel social work company is critical to finding placements suited to your skill set and interests. You should consider various criteria when selecting one, like benefits, salary rates, support services, available locations, and more.

Fortunately, there are quite a few top travel social work agencies to choose from, including:

• Aya Healthcare
• Club Staffing/Med Travelers/AMN Healthcare
• Jackson Therapy Partners
• National Staffing Solutions
• Focus Staff
• Genie Healthcare
• Planet Healthcare
• ALOIS Healthcare
• Wellspring Nurse Source
• ADN Healthcare

To find a travel nursing agency that fits your needs, you can fill out this form and we’ll help you get started.

Travel social work can certainly be worth it for some people, but it depends on your goals and interests.

For example, if you’re looking to make as much money as possible, it’s definitely the way to go. The same is true if you want to go out and explore new places, or just simply want to shake things up.

One travel social worker on Reddit wrote:

“I worked in level 1 trauma centers in my city for just about 3 years. I got really good at it. I have awards and great references. A friend of mine got into travel work, I had never known it was an option for social work so I asked her to connect me to her recruiter. Within three weeks I had my first assignment and quit my full time job. My experience in trauma centers has been hugely helpful, as well as my references and awards. I recommend getting the hospital experience and mastering hospital work. Then after 2-3 years, reaching out to recruiters and Med staffers is the way to go! They’ll send you contracts they can submit you for and you interview. It’s great!” Muriel Finster

Travel social work is an excellent career opportunity because of the higher salary, flexibility, and ability to explore new places. 

If you’ve got your LMSW or LCSW licensure, it’s super easy to get started. Just fill out this form and we can connect you with a travel social work agency that aligns with your goals.

Meanwhile, if you don’t have your credentials yet and want to advance your career, you can find programs suited to your goals here. The sooner you earn your degree, the sooner you can start traveling!

Can You Travel As A Social Worker?

You can travel as a social worker, but you’ll need to be an LMSW or LCSW in order to qualify for the best positions. 

While LBSWs can also find travel social work opportunities, they are much more limited. This is why we usually recommend BSWs to go for their master’s degree right away.

Can You Travel Internationally As a Social Worker?

There certainly are opportunities to travel internationally as a social worker, but the roles typically require quite a lot of experience and expertise.

International social work jobs typically fall into the following categories:

• Humanitarian Organizations (agencies like the United Nations, World Health Organization, and others)
• NGOs (agencies that focus on specific issues like poverty, child welfare, education, etc.)
• Government agencies with international branches
• Global health
• Academia and research
• Consulting and policy development

While these positions can be competitive, there are opportunities for social workers in just about every area of the field all across the world.

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Become A Travel Social Worker Now

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The 20 Most Stressful Jobs

How does your career compare when it comes to stress? Take a look at the most stressful jobs.

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Stressful jobs can be fulfilling because they make a difference – in people’s health, public safety or a company's bottom line. And high-stress jobs often come with high pay. Find out whether your job is among the most stressful careers, according to experts, and how it compares with other high-stress careers from U.S. News' 100 Best Jobs ranking . Data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Anesthesiologist

Median salary: $239,200 Education needed: Doctoral or professional degree Expected job growth by 2032: 2.6%

Anesthesiologists are health care professionals who monitor patient health during a procedure, adjusting the amount of anesthetic to relieve pain. "The need for precision and constant vigilance, coupled with the potential for severe complications and the unpredictability of patient responses, makes this a highly stressful job," organizational psychologist Etty Burk said in an email.

Learn more about anesthesiologists .

Business Operations Manager

Median salary: $98,100 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 4.2%

Business operations managers are responsible for managing all business operations and setting organizational goals. "Their stress often stems from managing budgets and optimizing processes, all while meeting organizational goals and deadlines – often without control over external factors like the business market and employee behavior that can impact outcomes," Burk said.

Learn more about business operations managers .

Clinical Social Worker

Median salary: $60,280 Education needed: Master’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 9.6%

Clinical social workers are licensed social workers who can diagnose and treat individuals with behavioral, mental and emotional conditions.

While it can be rewarding, social work can be a stressful profession. “It used to be that jobs that had lives on the line every day, like first responders, were believed to face the most stress. While their jobs are still incredibly challenging, roles that involve supporting our communities have seen dramatic demands for their time and energy,” Kelly Roehm, career consultant and a senior certified professional by the Society of Human Resources Management, wrote in an email.

Learn more about clinical social workers .

Community Health Worker

Median salary: $46,190 Education needed: High school diploma or equivalent Expected job growth by 2032: 14.1%

Community health workers rank No. 2 among the Best Jobs Without a College Degree and No. 4 among the Best Social Services Jobs . They work with community and health professionals to promote wellness.

According to Roehm, because communities often lack adequate resources, these workers are often paid far less than other health care professionals. “Coupled with loss of funding, increasing caseloads and burnout have impacted these vital workers,” she said.

Learn more about community health workers .

Child and Family Social Worker

Median salary: $50,820 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 5.3%

Child and family social workers provide interventions and support to ensure the well-being of children and families in need. “Post-COVID, we saw rising rates of children in school struggling to keep up and parents trying to balance child care and work, which is why children's services workers are carrying a heavy load,” Roehm said.

Learn more about child and family social workers .

Median salary: $155,040 Education needed: Doctoral or professional degree Expected job growth by 2032: 4.4%

Dentists identify and treat problems with a patient's mouth, gums and teeth. Career counselor Lynn Berger says that dentists have one of the most stressful jobs because most patients don’t like going to the dentist and may even feel scared or uncomfortable.

Managing the emotions that patients experience can be mentally taxing. “The most stressful occupations are those with much responsibility and not a lot of positive reward and feedback,” she explained in an email.

Learn more about dentists .

Firefighter

Median salary: $51,680 Education needed: Postsecondary nondegree award Expected job growth by 2032: 3.6%

Firefighters are responsible for responding to emergency situations involving fires, hazardous materials and other disasters.

“Firefighters work in dangerous and high-pressure environments where split-second decisions can mean life or death,” Conor Hughes, an SHRM senior certified professional and HR consultant, wrote in an email.

Learn more about firefighters .

Financial Analyst

Median salary: $90,680 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 8.2%

Financial analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data, trends and market conditions to help businesses make informed financial decisions. While they make lucrative salaries, their job is not easy. "The need for accuracy, staying updated on market trends and making impactful decisions under tight deadlines is compounded by the volatility of financial markets, which financial analysts cannot influence," Burk said.

Learn more about financial analysts .

High School Teacher

Median salary: $62,360 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 1%

In the U.S., high school teachers typically teach students from the ninth through 12th grades. While working with teenagers can be rewarding, it can be stressful as well.

“Educators often work long hours for little pay while managing overloaded classrooms, meeting strict curriculum standards and dealing with challenging student behaviors. This results in high attrition,” Hughes explained.

Learn more about high school teachers .

HR Specialist

Median salary: $63,080 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 6.3%

Human resources specialists’ duties can include helping with recruiting, facilitating employee onboarding and supporting employees in managing their compensation and benefits packages. “HR specialists are typically the most stressed role for a good three weeks during performance reviews and compensation processes,” Daniel Space, senior HR business partner director, wrote in an email.

Learn more about HR specialists .

Median salary: $135,740 Education needed: Doctoral or professional degree Expected job growth by 2032: 7.5%

Lawyers rank No. 1 among the Best Social Services Jobs and No. 14 among the Best-Paying Jobs. They’re licensed professionals who provide legal advice to individuals or businesses in one or more areas of law.

“The adversarial nature of law combined with billable hour requirements, client demands and high-stakes cases create a pressure-cooker environment for many attorneys. If you’re in this field, my advice is to set boundaries, delegate tasks when possible and build time for stress management,” Hughes said.

Learn more about lawyers .

Marriage and Family Therapist

Median salary: $56,570 Education needed: Master’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 14.9%

Marriage and family therapists are mental health professionals licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of marriage, couples and family systems.

While this career can be fulfilling, it's rather demanding. "The challenge of providing effective support while maintaining professional boundaries can be emotionally draining, and factors beyond their control can influence the progress of therapy," Burk explained.

Learn more about marriage and family therapists .

Mental Health Counselor

Median salary: $51,240 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 10.6%

Mental health counselors assist patients with processing life experiences that can lead to grief and trauma. Of course, helping people achieve better mental health is deeply rewarding, but it could leave you feeling drained.

Also, as the pandemic led to rising mental health needs, mental health counselors experienced increasing caseloads, more stress and higher burnout rates.

Learn more about mental health counselors .

Nurse Practitioner

Median salary: $121,610 Education needed: Master’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 44.5%

Nurse practitioners rank No. 1 among the 100 Best Jobs, the Best STEM Jobs and the Best Health Care Jobs .

Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with additional education, which allows them to take patient histories, perform physical exams, order labs, prescribe medicine and even authorize treatment plans.

“However, due to the high-stakes nature of their profession, their enormous workloads, irregular hours and their frequent exposure to patient trauma and suffering, nurse practitioners, along with physicians and other frontline health care workers confront extreme stress,” Hughes said.

Learn more about nurse practitioners .

Median salary: $49,090 Education needed: High school diploma or equivalent Expected job growth by 2032: 5.4%

Paramedics are highly trained professionals who assess, treat and transport patients who need urgent medical attention. Being a paramedic can be rewarding but mentally and physically taxing.

“Paramedics operate in dangerous, high-pressure environments where split-second decisions can mean life or death. The threat of violence combined with witnessing trauma on a regular basis contributes to extremely high rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety among first responders,” Hughes said.

Learn more about paramedics .

Patrol Officer

Median salary: $65,790 Education needed: High school diploma or equivalent Expected job growth by 2032: 3.3%

Patrol officers are members of local or state law enforcement agencies responsible for preventing illegal activity and protecting communities. Exposure to violence, crime and the physical demands of the job can all contribute to a high stress level.

If you’re interested in becoming a patrol officer, Hughes recommends that you seek counseling, peer support and stress management training to keep your mental health in check.

Learn more about patrol officers .

Median salary: $227,180 Education needed: Doctoral or professional degree Expected job growth by 2032: 3.1%

Physicians, or primary care doctors, are patients' first stop when they experience health issues like headaches or heart problems.

Because of the high-stakes nature of their profession, heavy workloads and frequent exposure to patient trauma, physicians and other frontline health care workers are often under a tremendous level of stress.

Learn more about physicians .

Sales Managers

Median salary: $130,600 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 4%

Sales managers rank No. 2 among the Best Sales and Marketing Jobs and No. 17 among the Best-Paying Jobs.

Sales managers are responsible for orchestrating an organization’s sales process, including product development, customer response and data collection. "This profession can be stressful since you must face the pressure of meeting or exceeding sales targets. You must also motivate your team, handle rejections and adapt to market changes. Plus, success is often dependent on market conditions and customer behavior that you cannot control," Burk said.

Learn more about sales managers.

Software Developer

Median salary: $127,260 Education needed: Bachelor’s degree Expected job growth by 2032: 25.7%

Software developers rank No. 1 among the Best Technology Jobs and No. 2 among the Best STEM Jobs.

Although software developers earn lucrative salaries, especially those who work at top companies like Meta or Google, the job can be stressful and fast-paced. These professionals use their design and coding skills to create software for clients and users. According to Space, they can sometimes feel “extremely stressed between product updates and launches.”

Learn more about software developers .

Median salary: $239,200 Education needed: Doctoral or professional degree Expected job growth by 2032: 1.7%

Surgeons operate on people in need of medical treatment related to diseases, broken bones and other issues. An error made in a critical procedure can change someone’s life or be fatal, which is why surgeons are often under high stress.

If you’re interested in entering this career field, Hughes recommends that you try to separate your professional life from your personal one. “It's very easy to allow the suffering you see at work to influence your personal energy,” he said.

Learn more about surgeons .

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How to Become a Social Media Manager in 2024 [Free Resume Template]

From content creation to customer service to PR to sales, businesses often rely on their social media manager to wear many hats.

Table of Contents

There’s never been a better time to become a social media manager.

The average social media user spends 2.5 hours a day scrolling, liking and commenting. That’s the equivalent of five weeks a year!

All that screen time presents millions of possible chances for people to discover new brands, products, and services.

That’s why social media is one of 2024’s most important marketing channels. To get in on the action, brands need to dream up beautiful content, and build thriving communities around their brand.

But they can’t do it alone. That’s why there’s so much opportunity out there for skilled social media managers!

If you love getting creative and connecting with others online, your skills are in high demand.

Today, we’ll explain how to become a social media manager. Keep reading for actionable tips, a step-by-step guide, and industry advice from one of Hootsuite’s in-house experts. Or watch this video:

Bonus: Our free social media manager career toolkit includes resume, cover letter, and portfolio templates, along with a complete guide to social media job descriptions and frequently asked interview questions. You got this!

What is a social media manager?

A social media manager is a person who handles a brand’s presence on social media.

Who is your brand, on social? What do they share (and not share)? How do they interact with customers and their broader community?

Social media managers are in charge of planning, creating, and publishing content that’s true to that brand identity. They’ll also analyze and report on its performance, and keep up with their community through comments and DMs.

Does that sound like a big job? It is!

Social media managers have a lot of responsibility, because they’re driving an incredibly important marketing channel.

Many customers use social media to research purchases, and discover new brands. For online-only businesses, social media can be their only way of getting to know a brand!

That’s why social media isn’t internship territory anymore.

“The biggest change I’ve seen is the shift from entry level jobs, to actually having a seat at the table,” says Trish Riswick , Social Media Specialist at Hootsuite. “Companies realize the importance of social, and that the social team, especially, knows a lot. I think that’s a real testament to where social is heading in 2024 and onward.”

Download our Social Media Career Report for stats on social media manager salaries, benefits, job satisfaction, mental health, and more.

What does a social media manager do?

Social media manager is a dynamic and challenging role. As you create, publish, and report on content, you’ll be switching between many different duties. Typically, those include:

• Creative copywriting
• Graphic design
• Shooting and editing video
• Photography and photo editing
• Content planning
• Content strategy, often in cooperation with the larger marketing department
• Community management
• Analyzing and reporting on content performance

All in a day's work 🥱 Shout out to all the social media managers juggling so many hats while keeping their social channels afloat. You're all the true MVPs 🌟 pic.twitter.com/7jtsbgkbhK — Hootsuite 🦉 (@hootsuite) December 8, 2022

This might look like a huge (and possibly intimidating) list. But you don’t need to be an expert at all of these things to start working as a social media manager.

Smartphone photo and video is more than adequate for a lot of social media content. And thanks to tools like Canva, graphic design and photo editing are more accessible than ever.

Larger companies might also have a team for managing social, rather than just one person. That would mean you’d be working with other people, whose skills complement yours.

Plus, a willingness to learn is one of the most valuable skills a social media manager can have! So if there’s anything you’re not comfortable with just yet, it’s ok to learn as you go.

Most important social media manager skills

Social media is always changing. So exactly what you need to do as a social media manager will change with time, too.

But there are some big-picture skills that underpin the more specific, tactical ones we just described.

Flexibility

To succeed as a social media manager, you need to be ready to keep learning, experimenting, and adjusting as you go.

“This job changes literally day by day, and second by second,” says Trish. Whether the current trend is carousels, video, or something else entirely (hello, Metaverse), you have to keep creating amazing content.

That means staying up to date and learning new skills when you have to, because social media platforms and their features are always changing.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hootsuite 🦉 (@hootsuite)

You also need to be ready to adjust your content plan on a dime. “Something could happen in your market or in your community that just completely changes the direction that you’re going in,” Trish continues. “Or you might get feedback from your audience, and realize that what you thought was working actually isn’t. You just have to roll with the punches and change it up!”

Communication

Like we mentioned, social media is often the front lines of communication with customers. You’re being trusted to share important brand messages. You need to do that with confidence and clarity — while keeping people entertained and engaged.

That’s why copywriting skills, and strong communication generally, is an evergreen skill for social media managers.

“You need to make sure your points are crystal clear, and your audience isn’t interpreting them in any way they’re not supposed to,” Trish explains. “If people aren’t engaging with or reacting to your copy, it means your communication is probably not where it needs to be.”

Communication skills are vital for community managers , social media professionals who specialize in responding to DMs and engaging their community on social.

Content curation

As a social media manager, you won’t create every single social media post from scratch.

Thanks to tools like Canva, actual content creation is easier than ever. You’ll also be repurposing content created by other people, like trending memes and user-generated content (UGC) .

You need to combine all those different elements into a strong, cohesive social media presence that’s true to your employer’s brand. That’s why, while your technical skills do matter, it’s possibly even more important to have a keen aesthetic eye.

Independence

Whether or not you’re working on a team, you’ll need to be motivated and self-directed to thrive as a social media manager. You’ll be making many important decisions every day, as you create and publish content that will be seen by hundreds or thousands of people.

“You really need to trust yourself,” says Trish. “That can be scary, but it’s what you need to make it in this industry. You need to have the confidence to believe in yourself and believe in your abilities to make really cool things happen.”

How to become a social media manager in 2024

There’s no one, single way to build a career in social media — and no two social media manager jobs are exactly alike.

You might want to work freelance, or as an in-house employee. One company might be all about long-form LinkedIn content, while another might emphasize viral video.

“In social media, you can now see your career trajectory a bit more clearly,” shares Trish. “That’s amazing, because I think a lot of us started off in positions where we didn’t really know where we would go next, and now we do.”

But here are the basic steps to landing your first social media manager job — wherever you’re starting from, and whatever a dream job looks like for you.

1. Brush up on your social media knowledge

You’re already a social media lover. But to be a social media professional , you really need to have your finger on the pulse.

As you’re searching for your first role or client, immerse yourself in the social media landscape.

What brand’s presence are you inspired by? What trends or content types do you seriously love? Is there a particular niche, or type of product, you can picture yourself working in?

If you like, you can certainly learn in a more formal way, too. There are so many ways to educate yourself about social media — from free YouTube channels to affordable online courses.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered.

2. Get experience

The beauty of social media is that it’s an inherently democratic place. Anyone can jump in and start experimenting, wherever you’re at in your journey.

You might choose to manage other accounts to build up experience. If your friend makes creative textiles or gorgeous ceramics, why not team up and help them promote their work? Or, look around for internships and co-ops, or try trading your services for products from small business owners.

You can also use your own presence as a learning tool. Building a meme account or niche TikTok presence helps you learn what it takes to get views — and later, it can prove to clients that you know your stuff.

3. Create a portfolio

As you collect experience, showcase it in a portfolio to share with clients and potential employers.

You can include social media work you’ve done for clients, in previous jobs, or for yourself. You can even create ‘spec work’ (a.k.a. unpaid, uncommissioned work done to show off your abilities) for brands you admire.

There are many ways to create a portfolio, and they don’t have to be complicated. You can make a standalone website, use a service like Gondola , or even compile samples into a downloadable PDF. You could even set up a social media account, like an Instagram page, to showcase your samples!

Here’s how New York-based agency social fly shows off their client work:

Source: socialflyny.com

4. Update your resume

In creative industries, your portfolio does a lot of the heavy lifting. But clients will still ask for a resume, and yours needs to sparkle.

Your goal is to stand out from the crowd, so have fun and get creative with the design (just make sure it’s still easily readable).

Try including a ‘Profile’ or ‘About Me’ section at the top of your resume to summarize what makes you special. You can also decide to include only relevant work experience, rather than a laundry list of every job you’ve ever had.

Pro tip : For more on crafting the perfect social media manager resume , check out our guide!

5. Network, network, network

Whether you’re a freelancer or in-house social media manager, you’ll need to put yourself out there to find clients and potential employers.

In 2024, networking doesn’t just mean showing up to events with a drink in hand (though you can certainly do that, too). The best place to network as a social media manager is… on social media!

LinkedIn can be a fantastic place to connect with potential employers, and look for openings at companies you love. Depending on your niche, Instagram and Facebook might also be a good place to find clients, especially if you’re targeting small businesses.

Beyond finding work, networking helps you connect with industry peers, so you can keep learning, find mutual support, and get inspired.

How much do social media managers make?

It’s an important question — but there’s no one simple answer. Like many other jobs, what you’ll earn as a social media manager depends on a number of factors.

As a social media manager, your salary or pay will be affected by:

• Your geographic location
• How advanced you are in your career
• Whether you’re a freelancer or in-house employee
• The size of the company you work for, and what industry they’re in

The average pay for an in-house social media manager in the United States is about $50,000 per year, often with benefits like health insurance and 401k plans. Most positions fall between $40,000 and $65,000 annually.

If you’re just starting out, you should expect to earn around the lower end of that range. As you gain experience, you’ll earn more ! Big companies might pay a lot more — possibly over $100,000 per year for senior positions.

As a freelancer, pay can be a little more complicated. You might want to bill clients hourly, or on a flat monthly retainer model.

You’ll likely want to base your rates on how much experience you have, as long as they can cover your overhead costs.

Here are some typical freelance social media manager rates for 2024:

• Junior (0-2 years): $25-$35/hour
• Mid-level (3-4 years): $45-$85/hour
• Senior (5-8 years): $90-$120/hour
• Expert (10+ years): $125-$250/hour

If you already have a job in social media marketing, you can use this social media salary calculator to see how your compensation compares to the industry average:

Free social media manager resume template

Not sure where to start with creating your social media manager resume? Make it easy with our free, downloadable resume templates !

You can use these templates to update your existing resume, or build a new one from scratch. You can also use them as a starting point to tweak and adjust to your needs!

6 tips for landing your dream social media manager job

Build your own brand.

Nothing shows that you know social media better than your own thriving presence!

Building your own social media brand is a great way to find clients and job offers, network with other professionals, and position yourself as an expert.

On her account, designer and freelancer Rachel How uses a consistent visual style and keeps all her content on-topic.

If you run other successful accounts in different niches, like vegan cooking or dog videos, you should talk about them, and share what you’ve learned along the way. But the main focus should be you, as a social media professional.

Keep up with social trends

To be a great social media manager, you need to stay aware of trends large and small, from this week’s trending audio to whole new platforms that rise in popularity.

For example, we think small businesses are going to start tapping into the power of creators like never before!

You should never be a mindless trend zombie. But you should know what’s current, and have fun with it in a way that feels authentic and on-brand.

Understand business metrics

It’s one thing to know what good social media content looks like. But for a successful social media manager, it’s even more important to understand why you’re creating it in the first place, and how it fits in with your overall social media marketing strategy.

What business goals and outcomes are you trying to achieve, and what social media tactics will you use to achieve them? How will you measure success?

Some examples could include:

• Boosting brand awareness with organic content
• Converting followers into customers with social commerce
• Building an email list by promoting lead-gated assets
• Reaching your target audience with social ads

Be open-minded

The right social media job for you might not be exactly what you’d expect. For example, if you’ve worked in finance or fashion until now, don’t assume that your first social media manager job also needs to be in that area.

Similarly, don’t be afraid to take roles that feel “entry level,” or even internships — especially if you’re pivoting into social from another career path where you were more established!

Of course, you should choose to work with companies whose product or service you’ll enjoy talking about all day. But don’t be scared of opportunities that feel a little unexpected.

Tailor your job applications

Even if you have a beautiful, all-star resume, you should still change it up a bit for every job you apply to.

This shouldn’t need to be more than a few minor tweaks. For example, make sure the skills you’ve listed match what’s in the job description (as long as you actually have those skills, of course).

Always apply with a unique cover letter, too. Try to draw a personal connection between you and the company. What do you love about their brand? Why do you want to represent them on social media?

Use social media management tools

As a social media manager, you’re jumping between many different kinds of tasks. Use social media management tools to make your life easier.

• Make content creation easier with apps like Canva for design, and Hemingway or Grammarly for writing
• Project-management tools Asana and Trello streamline your overall processes and make communication with colleagues easier
• Freelancers can stay on top of business operations with tools like Wave , Freshbooks , and Harlow
• Try Hootsuite to manage all your social media in one place. Plan and schedule posts to every account you manage within one calendar, and get real-time data to track how it’s performing. You can even track industry trends, monitor your competitors, and stay on top of what people are saying about your brand.

Here’s what it would look like to track your Facebook posts’ engagement in Hootsuite:

Try for free

Never stop learning

To succeed in this exciting — and challenging — field, you need to be a dedicated lifelong learner.

The good news is that social media is no longer in its infancy, and you don’t have to figure it out alone any more.

Hootsuite Academy offers a variety of certification courses, from foundational to advanced . There are also plenty of resources online to help you get comfortable with emerging skills, like social selling .

Hootsuite makes your life as a social media manager easier. Manage your social channels, collect real-time data, and engage with your audience all in one place — so you stay organized, prepared, and inspired.

Get Started

Do it better with Hootsuite , the all-in-one social media tool. Stay on top of things, grow, and beat the competition.

Become a better social marketer.

Get expert social media advice delivered straight to your inbox.

Genevieve Michaels is a freelance writer based in Vancouver. She started her career in the contemporary art world, and now specializes in long-form content writing, with a focus on B2B tech and software.

She's written for brands including Hootsuite, Trello, Shopify, Thinkific, and Hubspot. Her creative writing has been published in Elle Canada, Vice Canada, Canadian Art Magazine, and more.

Trish Riswick is the Social Engagement Specialist at Hootsuite. Over the past 6 years, Trish has worked her way from a freelance social media manager to a small marketing team to an enterprise-level company. At Hootsuite, Trish wears many hats but her main role is to build a strong online community with Hootsuite’s 9+ million followers. She also utilizes social listening tools daily to stay on top of trends and the competition, hosts webinars, and enjoys creating videos for TikTok.

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Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia

The future of work after COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted labor markets globally during 2020. The short-term consequences were sudden and often severe: Millions of people were furloughed or lost jobs, and others rapidly adjusted to working from home as offices closed. Many other workers were deemed essential and continued to work in hospitals and grocery stores, on garbage trucks and in warehouses, yet under new protocols to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus.

This report on the future of work after COVID-19 is the first of three MGI reports that examine aspects of the postpandemic economy. The others look at the pandemic’s long-term influence on consumption and the potential for a broad recovery led by enhanced productivity and innovation. Here, we assess the lasting impact of the pandemic on labor demand, the mix of occupations, and the workforce skills required in eight countries with diverse economic and labor market models: China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Together, these eight countries account for almost half the global population and 62 percent of GDP.

Jobs with the highest physical proximity are likely to be most disrupted

Before COVID-19, the largest disruptions to work involved new technologies and growing trade links. COVID-19 has, for the first time, elevated the importance of the physical dimension of work. In this research, we develop a novel way to quantify the proximity required in more than 800 occupations by grouping them into ten work arenas according to their proximity to coworkers and customers, the number of interpersonal interactions involved, and their on-site and indoor nature.

This offers a different view of work than traditional sector definitions. For instance, our medical care arena includes only caregiving roles requiring close interaction with patients, such as doctors and nurses. Hospital and medical office administrative staff fall into the computer-based office work arena, where more work can be done remotely. Lab technicians and pharmacists work in the indoor production work arena because those jobs require use of specialized equipment on-site but have little exposure to other people (Exhibit 1).

We find that jobs in work arenas with higher levels of physical proximity are likely to see greater transformation after the pandemic, triggering knock-on effects in other work arenas as business models shift in response.

The short- and potential long-term disruptions to these arenas from COVID-19 vary. During the pandemic, the virus most severely disturbed arenas with the highest overall physical proximity scores: medical care, personal care, on-site customer service, and leisure and travel. In the longer term, work arenas with higher physical proximity scores are also likely to be more unsettled, although proximity is not the only explanation. For example:

• The on-site customer interaction arena includes frontline workers who interact with customers in retail stores, banks, and post offices, among other places. Work in this arena is defined by frequent interaction with strangers and requires on-site presence. Some work in this arena migrated to e-commerce and other digital transactions, a behavioral change that is likely to stick.
• The leisure and travel arena is home to customer-facing workers in hotels, restaurants, airports, and entertainment venues. Workers in this arena interact daily with crowds of new people. COVID-19 forced most leisure venues to close in 2020 and airports and airlines to operate on a severely limited basis. In the longer term, the shift to remote work  and related reduction in business travel, as well as automation of some occupations, such as food service roles, may curtail labor demand in this arena.
• The computer-based office work arena includes offices of all sizes and administrative workspaces in hospitals, courts, and factories. Work in this arena requires only moderate physical proximity to others and a moderate number of human interactions. This is the largest arena in advanced economies, accounting for roughly one-third of employment. Nearly all potential remote work is within this arena.
• The outdoor production and maintenance arena includes construction sites, farms, residential and commercial grounds, and other outdoor spaces. COVID-19 had little impact here as work in this arena requires low proximity and few interactions with others and takes place fully outdoors. This is the largest arena in China and India, accounting for 35 to 55 percent of their workforces.

COVID-19 has accelerated three broad trends that may reshape work after the pandemic recedes

The pandemic pushed companies and consumers to rapidly adopt new behaviors that are likely to stick, changing the trajectory of three groups of trends. We consequently see sharp discontinuity between their impact on labor markets before and after the pandemic.

Remote work and virtual meetings are likely to continue, albeit less intensely than at the pandemic’s peak

Perhaps the most obvious impact of COVID-19 on the labor force is the dramatic increase in employees working remotely. To determine how extensively remote work might persist after the pandemic, we analyzed its potential  across more than 2,000 tasks used in some 800 occupations in the eight focus countries. Considering only remote work that can be done without a loss of productivity, we find that about 20 to 25 percent of the workforces in advanced economies could work from home between three and five days a week. This represents four to five times more remote work than before the pandemic and could prompt a large change in the geography of work, as individuals and companies shift out of large cities into suburbs and small cities. We found that some work that technically can be done remotely is best done in person. Negotiations, critical business decisions, brainstorming sessions, providing sensitive feedback, and onboarding new employees are examples of activities that may lose some effectiveness when done remotely.

Some companies are already planning to shift to flexible workspaces after positive experiences with remote work during the pandemic, a move that will reduce the overall space they need and bring fewer workers into offices each day. A survey of 278 executives by McKinsey in August 2020 found that on average, they planned to reduce office space by 30 percent. Demand for restaurants and retail in downtown areas and for public transportation may decline as a result.

Remote work may also put a dent in business travel as its extensive use of videoconferencing during the pandemic has ushered in a new acceptance of virtual meetings and other aspects of work. While leisure travel and tourism are likely to rebound after the crisis, McKinsey’s travel practice estimates that about 20 percent of business travel, the most lucrative segment for airlines, may not return. This would have significant knock-on effects on employment in commercial aerospace, airports, hospitality, and food service. E-commerce and other virtual transactions are booming.

Many consumers discovered the convenience of e-commerce and other online activities during the pandemic. In 2020, the share of e-commerce grew at two to five times the rate before COVID-19 (Exhibit 2). Roughly three-quarters of people using digital channels for the first time during the pandemic say they will continue using them when things return to “normal,” according to McKinsey Consumer Pulse  surveys conducted around the world.

Other kinds of virtual transactions such as telemedicine, online banking, and streaming entertainment have also taken off. Online doctor consultations through Practo, a telehealth company in India, grew more than tenfold between April and November 2020 . These virtual practices may decline somewhat as economies reopen but are likely to continue well above levels seen before the pandemic.

This shift to digital transactions has propelled growth in delivery, transportation, and warehouse jobs. In China, e-commerce, delivery, and social media jobs grew by more than 5.1 million during the first half of 2020.

COVID-19 may propel faster adoption of automation and AI, especially in work arenas with high physical proximity

Two ways businesses historically have controlled cost and mitigated uncertainty during recessions are by adopting automation and redesigning work processes, which reduce the share of jobs involving mainly routine tasks. In our global survey of 800 senior executives  in July 2020, two-thirds said they were stepping up investment in automation and AI either somewhat or significantly. Production figures for robotics in China exceeded prepandemic levels by June 2020.

Many companies deployed automation and AI in warehouses, grocery stores, call centers, and manufacturing plants to reduce workplace density and cope with surges in demand. The common feature of these automation use cases is their correlation with high scores on physical proximity, and our research finds the work arenas with high levels of human interaction are likely to see the greatest acceleration in adoption of automation and AI.

The mix of occupations may shift, with little job growth in low-wage occupations

The trends accelerated by COVID-19 may spur greater changes in the mix of jobs within economies than we estimated before the pandemic.

We find that a markedly different mix of occupations may emerge after the pandemic across the eight economies. Compared to our pre-COVID-19 estimates, we expect the largest negative impact of the pandemic to fall on workers in food service and customer sales and service roles, as well as less-skilled office support roles. Jobs in warehousing and transportation may increase as a result of the growth in e-commerce and the delivery economy, but those increases are unlikely to offset the disruption of many low-wage jobs. In the United States, for instance, customer service and food service jobs could fall by 4.3 million, while transportation jobs could grow by nearly 800,000. Demand for workers in the healthcare and STEM occupations may grow more than before the pandemic, reflecting increased attention to health as populations age and incomes rise as well as the growing need for people who can create, deploy, and maintain new technologies (Exhibit 3).

Before the pandemic, net job losses were concentrated in middle-wage occupations in manufacturing and some office work, reflecting automation, and low- and high-wage jobs continued to grow. Nearly all low-wage workers who lost jobs could move into other low-wage occupations—for instance, a data entry worker could move into retail or home healthcare. Because of the pandemic’s impact on low-wage jobs, we now estimate that almost all growth in labor demand will occur in high-wage jobs. Going forward, more than half of displaced low-wage workers may need to shift to occupations in higher wage brackets and requiring different skills to remain employed.

As many as 25 percent more workers may need to switch occupations than before the pandemic

Given the expected concentration of job growth in high-wage occupations and declines in low-wage occupations, the scale and nature of workforce transitions required in the years ahead will be challenging, according to our research. Across the eight focus countries, more than 100 million workers, or 1 in 16, will need to find a different occupation by 2030 in our post-COVID-19 scenario, as shown in Exhibit 4. This is 12 percent more than we estimated before the pandemic, and up to 25 percent more in advanced economies (Exhibit 4).

Before the pandemic, we estimated that just 6 percent of workers would need to find jobs in higher wage occupations. In our post-COVID-19 research, we find not only that a larger share of workers will likely need to transition out of the bottom two wage brackets but also that roughly half of them overall will need new, more advanced skills to move to occupations one or even two wage brackets higher.

The skill mix required among workers who need to shift occupations has changed. The share of time German workers spend using basic cognitive skills, for example, may shrink by 3.4 percentage points, while time spend using social and emotional skills will increase by 3.2 percentage points. In India, the share of total work hours expended using physical and manual skills will decline by 2.2 percentage points, while time devoted to technological skills will rise 3.3 percentage points. Workers in occupations in the lowest wage bracket use basic cognitive skills and physical and manual skills 68 percent of the time, while in the middle wage bracket, use of these skills occupies 48 percent of time spent. In the highest two brackets, those skills account for less than 20 percent of time spent. The most disadvantaged workers may have the biggest job transitions ahead, in part because of their disproportionate employment in the arenas most affected by COVID-19. In Europe and the United States, workers with less than a college degree, members of ethnic minority groups, and women are more likely to need to change occupations after COVID-19 than before. In the United States, people without a college degree are 1.3 times more likely to need to make transitions compared to those with a college degree, and Black and Hispanic workers are 1.1 times more likely to have to transition between occupations than white workers. In France, Germany, and Spain, the increase in job transitions required due to trends influenced by COVID-19 is 3.9 times higher for women than for men. Similarly, the need for occupational changes will hit younger workers more than older workers, and individuals not born in the European Union more than native-born workers.

Companies and policymakers can help facilitate workforce transitions

The scale of workforce transitions set off by COVID-19’s influence on labor trends increases the urgency for businesses and policymakers to take steps to support additional training and education programs for workers. Companies and governments exhibited extraordinary flexibility and adaptability in responding to the pandemic with purpose and innovation that they might also harness to retool the workforce in ways that point to a brighter future of work.

Businesses can start with a granular analysis of what work can be done remotely by focusing on the tasks involved rather than whole jobs. They can also play a larger role in retraining workers, as Walmart, Amazon, and IBM have done. Others have facilitated occupational shifts by focusing on the skills they need, rather than on academic degrees. Remote work also offers companies the opportunity to enrich their diversity by tapping workers who, for family and other reasons, were unable to relocate to the superstar cities where talent, capital, and opportunities concentrated before the pandemic.

Policymakers could support businesses by expanding and enhancing the digital infrastructure. Even in advanced economies, almost 20 percent of workers in rural households lack access to the internet. Governments could also consider extending benefits and protections to independent workers and to workers working to build their skills and knowledge mid-career.

Both businesses and policymakers could collaborate to support workers migrating between occupations. Under the Pact for Skills established in the European Union during the pandemic, companies and public authorities have dedicated €7 billion to enhancing the skills of some 700,000 automotive workers, while in the United States, Merck and other large companies have put up more than $100 million to burnish the skills of Black workers without a college education and create jobs that they can fill.

The reward of such efforts would be a more resilient, more talented, and better-paid workforce—and a more robust and equitable society.

Go behind the scenes and get more insights with “ Where the jobs are: An inside look at our new Future of Work research ” from our New at McKinsey blog.

Susan Lund and Anu Madgavkar are partners of the McKinsey Global Institute, where James Manyika and Sven Smit are co-chairs and directors. Kweilin Ellingrud is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Minneapolis office. Mary Meaney is a senior partner in the Paris office. Olivia Robinson is a consultant in the London office.

This report was edited by Stephanie Strom, a senior editor with the McKinsey Global Institute, and Peter Gumbel, MGI editorial director.

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