For much of its history, Naperville, Illinois, was a quiet rural town. But as Chicago expanded, so did Naperville. In 1960, its six-square-mile city limit grew by over 1,500 acres. By the 1990s, its population tripled. Cities across the country have experienced similarly explosive growth, but unlike many of them, Naperville kept its growing pains in check.
In fact, a 2023 government-sponsored survey found that 95% of residents enjoy their overall quality of life. About 90% say the city’s a great place to work.
If you’re looking for social work jobs in Naperville, IL, you could very well be embarking on one of the most rewarding legs of your personal and professional journey. In this guide, we’ll explore some of Naperville’s most exciting and unique opportunities for social workers as well as the salaries that often come with them.
Social Work Jobs in Naperville, IL
If you’re looking for social work jobs in Naperville, IL, the city’s local Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) office is a great place to start. As Illinois’ main social service provider, the IDHS offers everything from child care assistance to rehabilitation services. They need professionals who can provide services themselves and connect clients to relevant programs.
However, more social work jobs in Naperville can be found in other government agencies, nonprofits, and similar organizations. While social workers of all kinds are vital to Naperville’s wellbeing, here are a few of the city’s more unique career opportunities.
Forensic Social Worker/ Police Social Worker
While many Naperville residents turn to the DHS for support, the Naperville Police Department has its own Social Services Unit. They use their expertise to assist both individuals and the community at large.
Members of the Social Services Unit often conduct mental health assessments, offer counseling, and even perform crisis intervention for individuals that need immediate help. They also guide Naperville’s Peer Support and victim advocacy programs.
The Social Services Unit is only one opportunity for forensic social workers in Naperville. To support all of their clients, the unit also cooperates with local homeless shelters, youth organizations, and mental healthcare providers — all of which are vital to keeping Naperville safe.
School Social Worker
Naperville has two public school districts (Naperville School District 203 and Prairie School District 204), both of which frequently rank amongst the best in the nation. The districts’ teachers, administrators, counselors and school social workers make it possible.
As a school social worker in Naperville’s public school system, you’ll assess students’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs, develop and help teachers implement IEPs, guide school policy, and counsel students one-on-one. Other school social work jobs in Naperville, IL, can be found through the area’s many private schools and school staffing agencies.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
Despite Naperville’s high resident satisfaction rating, the city faces the same mental health and substance abuse issues as other communities. But fortunately, Naperville has a much stronger support network than many cities of its size.
Naperville itself has many addiction treatment centers, mental health clinics, and other behavioral health providers, but nearby Wheaton is home to the Dupage Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). As one of America’s largest nonprofit mental health organizations, NAMI serves clients directly, connects them to providers, and advocates for large-scale mental healthcare reform.
Mental health and addiction social work jobs in Naperville aren’t limited to social work roles. Many specialists in this domain also serve as counselors, therapists and program managers. If you become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois, you also have the option of opening your own practice in Naperville or anywhere else in the state.
Healthcare Social Worker
Naperville is a healthcare hub for many of the cities and suburbs that make up the Chicago metro. The Edward-Elmurst health system draws patients from multiple counties. At the UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital, professionals provide advanced pediatric care and conduct groundbreaking research. Healthcare social workers are vital to making this world-class system more patient friendly.
Typically, healthcare social work jobs in Naperville involve connecting patients and their families to financial resources, educating them about different care options, and coordinating between different healthcare providers. Many also offer therapy and represent patients who can’t advocate for their own rights.
Gerontology Social Worker
According to the city government, Naperville’s senior population is steadily growing. In response, the city has created the Senior Task Force, a team that coordinates between Naperville’s senior service agencies, addresses gaps in care, and spearheads community events like Memory Cafe (social gathering for seniors with memory issues and their caregivers). Because of this work, Naperville has been named a Dementia Friendly City.
As a Dementia Friendly City, Naperville is home to a wide range of assisted living and memory care communities, senior centers, and aging-focused healthcare providers. In these agencies, gerontology social workers are often responsible for a wide range of frontline and administrative duties. Additional gerontology social work jobs in Naperville may be found through government agencies like the Illinois Department on Aging and Adult Protective Services.
A Snapshot of the Naperville Job Market: Good News for Social Workers
Each year, the Naperville city government publishes a report on the local economy. One of the many things they report is the city’s top employers. While some of these economic powerhouses are traditional commerce-based businesses, many are potential sources of social work jobs in Naperville.
For example, Edward Hospital & Health Services employs about 5,000 people making it the biggest employer in Naperville. They ranked number one ten years ago, as well. The city’s two school districts come in at two and four while the city government ranks ninth. Similarly, these three employers were in the top 10 in 2013.
While this indicates a rather steady economy for healthcare and school social workers specifically, these four employers work with agencies of all kinds to meet their clients’ needs. In this flourishing social service network, professionals have a chance to succeed and develop. Just as importantly, the people they serve have a chance to live the healthy, fulfilling lives they deserve.
Social Work Salaries in Naperville
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that social workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metro make an average salary between $56,690 and $64,890. The BLS tracks salaries for four types of social workers and they all have different salary expectations.
For instance, social workers in the “all other” category make the most on average at $64,890. Healthcare social workers around Naperville come in second at $62,640. Child, family, and school social workers rank third at $61,860. Mental health and substance abuse social workers make an average salary of $56,690 in the metro area.
However, these averages include social workers at all stages of their careers. Many entry-level social workers in Naperville make less while their more experienced colleagues make much more — around $40,000 more in some cases.
Many of Naperville’s highest-earning social workers have years of experience and advanced degrees like a Master of Social Work (MSW). Some are also likely LCSWs. Employer, location, and other factors also influence salary potential.
While your own salary expectations may vary, the following table includes BLS-reported salary data for social workers in multiple specialties and different stages of their careers.
Social Work Specialty | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $38,350 | $46,410 | $56,940 | $76,690 | $99,090 |
Healthcare Social Workers | $43,280 | $48,030 | $62,260 | $75,580 | $81,230 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $33,970 | $43,420 | $48,470 | $65,530 | $86,970 |
Social Workers (All Other) | $36,680 | $45,200 | $61,630 | $85,860 | $97,050 |
Table data taken from 2022 BLS reports for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area.
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 social workers (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2024.