As the state capital, the second largest city in Illinois outside of the Chicago metro, and President Lincoln’s longtime home, Springfield has a lot to be proud of. And if you’re looking to start a career in social work in Illinois outside of Chicago, Springfield might just be your best option.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Springfield is home to about 2,100 community and social service professionals. This may seem small compared to Chicago’s 60,000-strong workforce, but what Springfield lacks in size, it makes up for in commitment, diversity, and a wealth of programs that uplift every single member of the city’s community. While the following guide to social work jobs in Springfield is by no means comprehensive, it can help you plan a rewarding career and get a better understanding of salary potential for social service workers in central Illinois.
Social Work Jobs in Springfield, IL
The Sangamon County Department of Community Resources is the center of Springfield’s social service network. In addition to helping vulnerable people in Springfield find affordable housing, weatherize their homes, and prepare for new jobs, they also conduct community needs assessments and draft yearly action plans. These activities make the department an excellent place to look for social work jobs in Springfield for professionals of all kinds.
But like other government agencies, the Department of Community Resources often works with local organizations to meet the community’s needs. This network creates an impressive array of social work jobs in Springfield. Here are a few career opportunities and potential employers that can put you at the center of the city’s most crucial issues.
Child and Family Welfare Social Worker
The BLS reports that there are about 580 child, family, and school social workers in Springfield, making them the most prevalent type of social worker in the city. These professionals perform behavioral interventions, teach parenting classes, and connect families to resources like the state-run Child Care Assistance Program. Some also help children and families through the adoption and foster care system.
Government child and family welfare services are offered in Springfield through the local Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) office. However, the Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center is also instrumental in investigating reports of abuse and neglect.
As the state capital and a regional hub, Springfield is also home to a number of private and non-profit organizations that offer family planning, crisis management, and mental health services. These agencies provide a number of social work jobs in Springfield for frontline and administrative professionals alike.
Veteran Social Worker
For many veterans, reintegrating into civilian life isn’t easy. They battle everything from PTSD and physical health issues to finding jobs. Military and veteran social workers specialize in addressing these extremely nuanced needs. Fortunately, Springfield is home to multiple organizations that offer veteran-focused social services.
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has both a Vet Center and a health clinic in Springfield. The National Guard Association of Illinois and the 183rd Wing of the Air National Guard are also headquartered in the city. Together, these organizations provide many social work jobs in Springfield for people who are passionate about helping veterans build happy lives at home.
Mental Health Social Worker
In their latest Community Health Implementation Plan, Springfield Memorial Hospital reports that about 90 out of 10,000 hospitalizations in Sangamon County are due to mental health crises. When compared to other counties in Illinois, this puts Sangamon in the lowest 25% when it comes to mental health. Mental health social workers are key to reversing this worrying trend.
Mental health social workers diagnose and treat mental health disorders with evidence-based, psychotherapeutic techniques. And as Springfield Memorial’s report points out, this also includes addressing economic and racial disparities, substance abuse, cultural stigmas, and other barriers to healthcare access.
While area hospitals like Springfield Memorial are instrumental to this fight, a number of government, private, and nonprofit service providers play their parts, as well. For example, the Packard Mental Health Center (one of the region’s largest facilities that serves over 120 patients) is located in Springfield. Mental health social work jobs in Springfield with these organizations range from entry-level assistant roles to Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) jobs.
Homeless Outreach Social Worker
In 2022, Heartland HOUSED, a Springfield-based coalition of social service agencies and similar organizations, reported some encouraging news. Only an estimated 260 people experience homelessness in Springfield at any given time. But despite a robust range of available resources, Heartland HOUSED predicts that by 2027, more than 2,900 people will need homeless outreach services if current programs aren’t expanded.
This means Springfield needs to develop more rent assistance, substance abuse, mental health, and transitional, emergency, and affordable permanent housing solutions. Homeless outreach social workers connect people to these resources, provide one-on-one counseling, and run awareness campaigns that keep these issues in the public consciousness. These services aren’t just for people currently experiencing homelessness, though. Homeless outreach social workers can help people on the brink of it, as well.
Heartland HOUSED employs specialists themselves, but other homeless outreach social work jobs in Springfield might be found in the county government’s housing division, hospitals, mental healthcare providers, and local charities like the Springfield Project.
Social Work Administrator
All types of social service agencies need administrators, but if you’re looking for social work jobs in Springfield, you may have a unique opportunity. As the state capital, the city is home to one of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ two main administrative offices.
As a government social work administrator, you’ll carry out any number of important supportive duties like:
- Conducting performance and program assessments.
- Crafting new programs for offices across the state.
- Overseeing teams of various social service professionals.
- Conducting research about emerging issues and reporting them to colleagues, legislators, and the public.
- Managing budgets.
- Coordinating between other organizations like hospitals and county governments to make sure all programs are implemented and accessible.
These duties vary between organization, but no matter where you take your talent for leadership, you stand to usher in equity in not just Springfield, but communities across Illinois.
Social Work Salaries in Springfield, IL
According to the BLS’s 2022 occupational survey, the average salary for social workers in Springfield, IL, ranges between $59,240 and $62,870. This varies greatly between specialities. The average salary for social service managers in the area is $72,540.
While social work isn’t thought of as a particularly lucrative career choice, Springfield’s average social worker salaries aren’t too far off the $63,930 average the BLS reports for all workers in Illinois. However, it’s important to note that social work is a field that often rewards education, experience, and credentials.
For example, the highest-earning metal health and substance abuse social workers in Springfield often bring home around $93,000 — an increase of about $30,000 over the average for all social workers in this specialty. Many top earners have a Master of Social Work (MSW) and become LCSWs. Like averages, though, salary potential varies greatly between specialty, location, and agency.
The following table uses BLS data to give you a better picture of what your salary potential as a social worker in Springfield might be.
Social Work Specialty | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $39,630 | $48,050 | $61,240 | $74,190 | $85,050 |
Healthcare Social Workers | $39,180 | $44,240 | $60,960 | $73,990 | $77,960 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $38,130 | $38,660 | $58,680 | $75,650 | $92,910 |
Community and Social Service Managers | $43,460 | $50,930 | $66,800 | $91,890 | $98,970 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for Springfield, IL.
2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for child, family, and school social workers, healthcare social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, and community and social service managers are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2024.