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.  

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