With nearly 3 million residents, the demand for social services throughout the greater Miami-Dade County area is immense… and growing. Miami-Dade has a poverty rate of about 20%, a statistic that should leave anybody rattled. It’s one thing when a family’s household income simply falls below the poverty line. It’s another thing entirely when you consider that this leaves a significant portion of the entire population vulnerable to homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health crises.
The crisis of the unhoused is particularly pressing here. As of 2023, on any given night, Miami-Dade County had some 3,800 people out on the streets, a figure that includes a concerning number of children and families. Social workers are on the front lines, partnering with organizations like the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust to provide essential services, from emergency housing to mental health support. The work doesn’t stop there.
Miami-Dade has also been hard-hit by the opioid crisis, with over 400 opioid-related deaths reported in 2022 alone. This ongoing battle has mobilized local social workers to coordinate efforts in prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.
In a place as diverse as Miami, social workers play a critical role in bridging cultural and linguistic gaps, ensuring that all people receive the essential support they need—from low-income seniors in their last years of life navigating Miami’s overburdened healthcare system to children in their early years facing food insecurity.
Social Worker Jobs: What Does a Social Worker Do in Miami-Dade County?
In Miami-Dade County, social workers are the core of community care, tackling issues that hit close to home for so many residents. From Little Havana to South Beach, these professionals are deeply rooted in the fabric of the county’s neighborhoods and small communities, working in hospitals, schools, and local agencies.
Whether it’s guiding families through tough times, helping individuals manage mental health challenges, or advocating for social justice, social workers in Miami-Dade are on the front lines, making a real difference every single day. Their work is more than just a job—it’s a mission to uplift and empower the diverse communities they serve.
School Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
School social work jobs in Miami-Dade County are a cornerstone of the public education system, offering crucial support to students and their families. Miami-Dade’s school social workers are embedded in the county’s 392 public schools, serving a diverse student body of nearly 340,000 kids. Here, social workers are more than just a resource—they’re advocates, guiding students through challenges ranging from academic pressures to socio-emotional struggles. They’re often seen collaborating with teachers, counselors, and administrators to develop strategies that enhance students’ overall well-being and success.
In a place as diverse and bustling as Miami-Dade, the role of a school social worker is particularly vital. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) places a high priority on mental health, with social workers spearheading initiatives like the “Values Matter Miami” program, which promotes positive behavior and character development. Whether you’re helping a student navigate an episode of bullying or providing a lifeline to families dealing with economic hardships, school social work here is about being right in the mix, fighting the good fight every day.
Substance Abuse Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
Substance abuse social work jobs in Miami-Dade County are as varied as the communities they serve. From Jackson Memorial Hospital to Citrus Health Network, social workers here are at the forefront of the battle against substance abuse, involved in everything from crisis intervention to long-term recovery plans. With overdose rates in Miami-Dade remaining a pressing issue, these professionals are essential in bridging the gap between vulnerable populations and the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
You’ll find social workers deeply involved with local organizations like Miami Recovery Project and the South Florida Behavioral Health Network, where they don’t just address substance use; they dig into the root causes—poverty, mental health, homelessness—and tailor their support to fit the specific needs of each individual. Whether they’re working in outpatient treatment centers in Miami Gardens or providing in-home counseling in Little Havana, social workers are critical players in helping individuals and families find a path to recovery and stability.
Medical and Healthcare Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, medical and healthcare social work is all about getting in there and making a difference where it counts the most. Social workers in this field are embedded in every corner of the healthcare system—from Jackson Memorial Hospital to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital—ensuring that patients and their families aren’t just navigating their health challenges alone. Whether it’s helping a family cope with a new diagnosis or coordinating care for an elderly patient at home, these social workers are essential.
You’ll also find them working with organizations like Care Resource located on Biscayne and Borinquen Medical Centers, where they focus on underserved populations, providing everything from crisis counseling to helping people access long-term care services.
Child Welfare Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, child welfare social workers are the lifeline for kids in some of the toughest situations. They work with local agencies like the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and nonprofits like Kristi House, directly engaging with children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or other traumas. These social workers step in when families can’t, ensuring that kids have a safe place to call home and the support they need to heal.
With over 3,000 children in foster care across Miami-Dade, the demand for dedicated child welfare social workers is intense. They’re not just pushing paper; they’re out in the community, from schools in Little Haiti to shelters in Homestead, advocating for kids’ rights and connecting them to resources that can change their lives. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of the child welfare system or providing counseling to kids and families in crisis, these social workers are on the front lines, making sure no child slips through the cracks.
Mental Health Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, mental health social workers are essential in addressing the complex mental health needs of a diverse population. These professionals are found in a range of settings, from Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital to Citrus Health Network, working closely with individuals battling everything from depression to serious mental illness. With nearly 1 in 5 adults in Miami-Dade experiencing mental health issues, the demand for skilled social workers is significant.
Local organizations like the Institute for Child and Family Health and Jewish Community Services of South Florida rely on social workers to provide crucial support, whether it’s counseling clients in Little Havana or running group therapy sessions in Miami Beach. These social workers are the ones helping people navigate the maze of mental health services, ensuring they get the care they need without falling through the cracks. In a county as large and diverse as Miami-Dade, the role they play in promoting mental wellness is absolutely critical.
Unhoused Services Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, social workers focused on unhoused services are in the thick of it, tackling the complex and growing issue of homelessness head-on. With over 3,200 people experiencing homelessness in Miami-Dade County on any given night, the need for skilled social workers is critical. These professionals are out there, from the shelters in Overtown to the streets of Downtown Miami, connecting people with the services they desperately need.
Whether it’s working with the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust or local nonprofits like Camillus House on NW Seventh Ave in Miami, social workers are the ones helping individuals navigate the system, securing housing, and accessing healthcare. They’re addressing the root causes of homelessness, whether it’s mental illness, addiction, or economic hardship, and crafting personalized plans to help each person find stability. In a city as fast-paced and diverse as Miami, these social workers are making a tangible impact every day, one person at a time.
Immigration Social Work Jobs in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, immigration social workers are essential to addressing the needs of a community where nearly 60% of residents are foreign-born. These professionals are employed in a variety of settings, including local organizations like the Florida Immigrant Coalition and Catholic Charities, where they assist immigrants with legal aid, housing, and access to healthcare.
Social workers in this field can be found in neighborhoods like Little Havana and Hialeah, where they help families navigate the complex legal processes involved in immigration, secure vital resources, and connect with community support networks. With Miami-Dade being one of the most culturally diverse areas in the country, these social workers play a crucial role in helping immigrants integrate into the community while ensuring they receive the services they need to thrive. Their work is not just about providing immediate assistance but also about fostering long-term stability and success for immigrant families.
Social Worker Salary in Miami-Dade County
In Miami-Dade County, social workers across various specialties earn competitive salaries that generally reflect their expertise and the demand for their services in the region. For example, healthcare social workers enjoy an average annual salary of $65,900, which is significantly higher than the overall state median for social workers, highlighting the strong earning potential in this field.
Mental health and substance abuse social workers also fare well, with an average annual salary of $56,680, positioning them comfortably above the national median for this specialization. These figures suggest that social workers in Miami-Dade County can expect to earn salaries that reward their specialized skills, particularly at the upper percentiles, where those with advanced credentials and experience can earn six figures.
Occupation | Employment | Annual mean wage | Annual median wage | Annual 75th percentile wage | Annual 90th percentile wage |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 4,460 | $51,350 | $49,260 | $57,480 | $65,420 |
Healthcare Social Workers | 2,840 | $65,900 | $63,410 | $77,610 | $84,250 |
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | 1,890 | $56,680 | $53,390 | $70,560 | $70,830 |
Social and Human Service Assistants | 860 | $63,470 | $ 51,520 | $ 83,450 | $106,500 |
2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers reflect local data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed August 2024.