Job prospects Social Worker in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "social worker" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on November 29, 2023.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be moderate for Social workers (NOC 41300) in British Columbia for the 2023-2025 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.

• Demand for this occupation is expected to remain high. Increasing challenges with homelessness and expansion of social services will drive a need for this occupation.

Here are some key facts about Social workers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 6,700 people work in this occupation.
• Social workers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Social assistance (NAICS 624): 32%
  • Hospitals (NAICS 622): 22%
  • Provincial and territorial public administration (NAICS 912): 19%
  • Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 7%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 7%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 87% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 13% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 77% of social workers work all year, while 23% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of social workers are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 15% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 85% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 57% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 35% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Labour market conditions over the next 10 years

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "social worker" Social workers (NOC 41300) or across Canada.

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