Social Worker Jobs in Illinois

Social Worker jobs in Illinois are in strong and sustained demand, concentrated in child welfare, behavioral health, healthcare, and school-based services across every level from entry-level case aide to licensed clinical social worker. Chicago drives the largest share of openings, with the broader metro, Rockford, and Springfield accounting for most postings, and major employers such as the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Advocate Health Care, and Sinai Chicago consistently recruiting across multiple specialties. The most sought-after areas include child protective services, substance use counseling, and psychiatric social work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles89
Top employerNorthwestern Medicine
Top cityChicago, IL
Cities hiring53
Work type57% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 89+ Social Worker jobs

Optum
Hospice Social Worker - PRN
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Optum
New 15h ago
Hospice Social Worker - PRN
Optum
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
$33 - $50/hr
Master's degree in social work
10,000+

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DaVita
Social Worker
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DaVita
New 20h ago
Social Worker
DaVita
Mount Vernon, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$54k - $86k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Memorial Health
Hospital Social Worker
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Memorial Health
New 20h ago
Hospital Social Worker
Memorial Health
Springfield, Illinois
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
$29.44 - $45.64/hr
Master's degree in social work
1,001-5,000

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Northwestern Medicine
Social Worker
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Northwestern Medicine
Added 1d ago
Social Worker
Northwestern Medicine
Wheaton, Illinois
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$33.56 - $43.62/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Thriveworks
Clinical Social Worker - Fee For Service
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Thriveworks
Added 1d ago
Clinical Social Worker - Fee For Service
Thriveworks
Woodridge, Illinois
Healthcare Administration
Mental & Behavioral Health
Social Work & Counseling
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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See All 89 Social Worker Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Social Worker Jobs by City in Illinois

Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Peoria
4 jobs
Wheaton
3 jobs
Springfield
3 jobs
Rolling Meadows
3 jobs
DeKalb
2 jobs
Joliet
2 jobs
Ottawa
2 jobs
Kankakee
2 jobs

Social Worker Job Market in Illinois

A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine6 open roles
Brave Health
Brave Health5 open roles
Advocate Aurora Health
Advocate Aurora Health4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Insurance
  • Education

What Illinois Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in social worker jobs across Illinois.

  • Active Illinois licensed social worker (LSW) or licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) credential required
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program
  • Experience with case management, documentation, and client service plans
  • Familiarity with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services protocols and reporting requirements
  • Strong communication skills for collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and community partners
  • Valid Illinois driver's license and reliable transportation for field-based or home-visit positions

Social Worker Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a social worker in Illinois?

To practice as a social worker in Illinois, you must hold a license issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. A bachelor's in social work from a CSWE-accredited program qualifies you for the LSW, while a master's degree plus supervised clinical hours is required for the LCSW. Both licenses require passing the Association of Social Work Boards exam. Illinois also requires background clearance through the DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System for roles involving children.

Which companies hire social workers in Illinois?

Employers hiring social workers in Illinois right now include Northwestern Medicine, Brave Health, and Advocate Aurora Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large public-sector agencies, integrated health systems, and nonprofit community organizations create consistent openings across child welfare, behavioral health, and hospital settings throughout the state.

Which Illinois cities have the most social worker jobs?

Chicago, Peoria, and Wheaton have the most social worker openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its concentration of hospital systems, county agencies, and nonprofit service organizations, while cities like Rockford and Springfield generate steady demand through state government offices, regional medical centers, and community mental health centers that serve surrounding rural populations.

Are there remote social worker jobs in Illinois?

Yes, but they're limited. Social work is fundamentally a relationship-driven and often field-based profession, so fully remote roles are less common than in desk-focused fields. About 43% of social worker openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. Telehealth counseling, care coordination, and utilization review positions are the sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.

How can I get hired as a social worker in Illinois with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for a case aide, family support specialist, or social services assistant role, which Illinois employers including DCFS, Heartland Alliance, and Catholic Charities of Chicago use as structured entry points for candidates without licensure. Completing a field placement at a DCFS-affiliated site or community mental health center during your BSW program gives you documented Illinois-specific experience. Obtaining your LSW immediately after graduation signals readiness to hiring managers and removes the main barrier to a full case manager title.

Where can I find and apply to social worker jobs in Illinois?

You can find and apply to social worker jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your license level and specialty, and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 89 Social Worker Jobs in Illinois

Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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