Social Work to Wealth Podcast

Dec 8

We’re excited to share this joint episode with Catherine Moore, LCSW, host of Social Workers Rise Podcast, to get into what compensation actually looks like in this profession. Between her experience in medical social work and Taylor’s salary database with over 1,500 entries, we looked at how social workers are getting paid and why we need more transparency around it. This episode is all about shifting the mindset that social workers should expect to struggle financially. We talk through what influences salary, how job titles can open doors, and why it’s valid to want better pay, even if you love the work you do. Catherine also shares how she’s built multiple income streams and why knowing your financial needs is one of the best things you can do for your career. Takeaways From This Episode: Why salary transparency helps shift the culture of financial struggle in social work What the real salary landscape looks like across roles and regions (yes, some social workers are making $300K) How to think about total compensation, not just your hourly rate How to identify job titles outside the “social worker” label Tips for negotiating your salary Mentioned resources: Salary Database – Submit or browse entries Job Title Resource Community (aka Wealth Society) Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Nov 24

In this episode, we break down one of the biggest decisions for social workers considering private practice: should you take insurance, go fully private pay, or try a hybrid model? We talk through the logistics, mindset shifts, pros and cons, and the financial implications of each route. We also get into the emotional weight that comes with trying to build a sustainable practice while still staying aligned with your values, including the messy narratives around accessibility and burnout. Takeaways From This Episode: Starting with insurance might make sense for stability, but private pay gives you more freedom in the long run The real reason niching down matters How insurance audits, clawbacks, and low rates push therapists out of the system Being an anti-oppressive therapist isn’t only about taking insurance; there are many ways to practice social justice It’s okay to raise your private pay rate and be mindful of inflation If you’re starting out, there’s no shame in going into private practice early in your career Mentioned resources: Private Practice Checklist Download Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter! Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Nov 10

Today’s episode is all about the corporate side of social work! We sat down with Peter Mostachetti, LMSW, who went from a 25-year career in tech at IBM to leading employee experience, learning, and inclusion at IPSY, the largest beauty subscription company. Peter breaks down what corporate social work really is, how he applies the “person-in-environment” approach in HR, and why social workers are already equipped to thrive in corporate spaces. We dive into what corporate roles can look like for social workers and how to start positioning yourself for work outside of traditional settings. Peter shares how he thinks about charging for his time and the harmful messaging social workers still get about staying broke “for the cause.” This episode is full of insight, especially if you’re curious about nontraditional roles, better pay, or just figuring out your next move. Takeaways From This Episode: Corporate social work is just macro social work in a new setting Social work skills like crisis response, facilitation, and systems thinking show up all the time in HR, DEI, and employee experience. Your MSW makes you qualified to work in spaces like HR, employee experience, and DEI. You don’t have to give up your values to work in a space that pays you well. Job titles can be misleading, so read the job description before counting yourself out. Entry-level HR roles can pay $80K+ depending on industry and location. Mentioned resources: Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter! Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Oct 27

In this episode, we are doing something a little different! Faith and I are reacting to the conversation that transpired on LinkedIn after I posted: “Don’t post your job for a master’s level clinician if it doesn’t pay at least $100K.” The post got a lot of traction.... essentially went viral. Thousands of reactions, hundreds of comments, and a mix of support and pushback from folks across the field. We talk through the range of responses, including the common claim that expecting six figures is “unrealistic,” and why that word keeps coming up in conversations about social work and money. We also talk real solutions: collective bargaining, salary transparency, and policy-level shifts that need to happen if this profession is going to survive and thrive. Takeaways From This Episode: The behind the scenes story of a LinkedIn post that struck a nerve What it really means when people say $100K is “unrealistic” for social workers The importance of salary transparency and why it’s not “greedy” to talk numbers What the data tells us about shortages, turnover, and retention in social work Why “that’s how it’s always been” is not a good enough reason to settle Ideas for what a new, sustainable model of social work could look like Mentioned resources: Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter! Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Oct 13

Welcome to the Salary Series! This is a mini-series where we’re getting into the real numbers behind what social workers make. In this episode, I’m talking with Erika Morris, MSW, a forensic social worker who went from making $44/hr straight out of grad school to making up to $95/hr as a contractor in Washington state. Erika breaks down what forensic social work actually is and how working on public defense teams can be both meaningful and financially sustainable. If you’ve ever wondered about what it’s like to work on a defense team or how to position yourself for work in legal and court-adjacent spaces, this is your episode. Takeaways From This Episode: What forensic social work really looks like in practice How Erika went from intern to earning $55/hr in one year How contract work offers flexibility and strong pay, especially for working parents The differences in public defense systems between states Why holistic defense is growing and how social workers fit into this model How to approach public defense agencies even if you don’t see job openings Common job titles to look for in forensic and legal-focused social work Mentioned resources: Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Sep 29

This week, we are excited to welcome Jerrel Peterson, MSW, to the podcast! He’s the Head of Global Content Policy at Spotify, and formerly held a trust & safety role at Twitter. Jerrel walks us through his journey from direct practice in mental health to landing a job in tech. We dive into what “trust and safety” means in tech, how his team develops interventions for content-related harm, and how his social work training helps him create safer online spaces. Jerrel also shares practical advice on how social workers can break into the tech space and translate their skills. Takeaways From This Episode: Why trust & safety work is a perfect fit for social workers Why social work skills (crisis management, systems thinking, advocacy) are in demand in tech The power of policy as intervention in online platforms Negotiation tips: base salary, RSUs, sign-on bonuses, and benefits Advice for social workers exploring tech careers: networking, LinkedIn outreach, and resume rewrites Why being bold matters in corporate spaces Mentioned resources: Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Sep 15

In this episode, we’re joined by Aja Evans, financial therapist and licensed mental health counselor, to talk all things feelings and finances. We get into what financial therapy actually is, why our money habits are deeply emotional, and how unprocessed shame and avoidance are holding so many of us (especially those of us in helping professions) back from financial clarity and peace. Aja gives us so much permission to pause, reflect, and rewrite our money story without shame. Takeaways From This Episode: Why financial therapy is more than just numbers... It’s about emotions, patterns, and past experiences The emotional toll of money avoidance (and how to gently start facing it) Why so many of us feel left out of the financial conversation and how to reclaim our place in it A peek inside what financial therapy can actually look like The power of financial confidence and how it can change your entire life A reminder: your financial journey takes time. You are not behind. Mentioned resources: Buy Feel Good Finance Here Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Sep 1

In this episode, I’m talking with Lauryn Williams, CFP®, and consultant with Student Loan Planner, about what’s really going on with student loans right now, especially for social workers trying to make sense of repayment, forgiveness, and all the recent changes. We break down the current repayment options, what’s happening with the SAVE plan, and how the new RAP plan is expected to work (when it finally rolls out). If your loans feel overwhelming or you’ve been avoiding them altogether, this episode will help you understand your options and what next steps to take. Get $100 off a consult with Student Loan Planner* Takeaways From This Episode: Why repayment isn’t one-size-fits-all and how to choose what works for you What’s happening with the SAVE plan and why it might be time to move off it Which income-driven repayment plans are still available (and who qualifies) What the new RAP plan is, and what we know about it so far How PSLF actually works and common myths that confuse borrowers What to consider before refinancing your federal loans How a consult with Student Loan Planner works and why it could save you thousands Mentioned resources: Get $100 off a consult with Student Loan Planner* Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. (This post has extra resources that were not shared in the episode, thanks to Leslie!) Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok , Instagram , & YouTube . Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney. *This episode may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.