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Youth Worker: Job Description, Salary, & Job Openings 2022

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If you want to help younger generations excel, consider a career as a youth worker.

Youth workers help develop programs for assisting young people with their development.

As a youth worker, you may help improve the personal and educational development of young people in your area.

Here’s a detailed look at the career of a youth worker.

What should you know about youth workers?

Start by exploring the basics of the youth worker career…

What Is a Youth Worker?

A youth worker helps develop and implement programs that improve young people in a local community.

They deal with the administrative side of things, such as scheduling.

They are also involved in the programs and work directly with youth.

What Is a Youth Worker Called?

The job title “youth worker” is frequently used in the United Kingdom to describe individuals who develop and manage social programs aimed at youth.

In the United States, the titles “youth coordinator” and “program coordinator” are often used.

What Does a Youth Worker Do?

Youth workers provide support for young people.

They often assist adolescents with their personal development or offer young people a safe place to work on their education or behavior.

Work Opportunities in the Youth Worker Industry

Becoming a youth worker may open the doors to other job opportunities, as many people use this job as a stepping stone to other careers.

Here’s a closer look at what you can expect in today’s youth worker industry.

Youth Worker Job Description

Youth workers help create, organize, and run programs aimed at adolescents.

Some programs may offer youth recreational activities and safe supervision after school.

Other programs may focus on developing specific skills.

Common tasks include:

  • Creating and organizing youth programs
  • Organizing activities and events
  • Estimating costs for programs
  • Recruiting volunteers
  • Working with youth

Top Youth Worker Jobs and Careers

Common careers in this field include:

  • Youth Worker/Youth Program Worker
  • Youth Program Coordinator
  • Community Service Manager

Where Can a Youth Worker Work?

Youth workers often work for local community centers, schools, government agencies, churches, and other faith-based groups.

What It’s Like to Be a Youth Worker

Youth workers get to help others, which can be very rewarding.

Here’s what else you can expect from this job.

  • Is Being a Youth Worker Hard? Being a youth worker can be hard, as you may need to develop programs that aim to achieve a specific goal, such as helping a specific number of children.
  • Is a Youth Worker’s Job Stressful? Working as a youth worker can be stressful when you fail to get the funding you need for a program, lack volunteers, or deal with challenging children.

Common Youth Worker Workday

The typical workday may involve reviewing the outline of the day’s activities and preparing the program center before the youth arrive.

You may then spend the afternoon directing the activities and helping participants.

  • Youth Worker Tasks & Duties: As discussed, common tasks for youth workers include organizing youth programs, recruiting volunteers, and working with youth.
  • Youth Worker Work Hours & Schedule: The hours vary, but youth workers often work in the afternoon after children get out of school. They may also work longer days on the weekends.
  • Youth Worker Dress Code: Youth workers often dress casually.
  • Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance? A youth worker provides a good work/life balance, as most positions are part-time. Full-time positions also rarely involve significant overtime.

Youth Worker Salary & Income

Before getting a job as a youth worker, you likely want to know about their income…

Youth workers don’t receive the highest compensation but may earn a comfortable living.

According to Salary.com, the average salary for a youth worker is $36,604.

Overview of the Youth Worker Industry

The youth worker industry is part of the social and human services industry, which is expected to grow faster than most industries in the coming years.

Here’s a closer look.

Youth Worker Field: Career Progression

A youth worker is a general position that may not require previous experience other than some volunteer work.

Many youth workers attend school while working part-time.

They may work toward a degree or certification in social work or a related field.

More advanced roles within this field include youth program manager, community services manager, and social and human services managers.

  • Is Youth Worker a Good Career? Being a youth worker is a good career, as there is always demand for those who are willing to help others.
  • Youth Worker Job Outlook: The employment of social and human service assistants, which includes youth workers, is expected to grow rapidly. The job outlook is positive and includes many opportunities for those with the right commitment.
  • Demand for Youth Workers: The demand for youth workers and related jobs may increase 17% between 2020 and 2030, which is much faster compared to other occupations.
  • Youth Worker Facts: Youth workers skew older. According to Zippia, the average age of a youth worker is about 42 years old.

Jobs Related to Youth Workers

Here are a few jobs related to youth worker to consider:

Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Youth Workers

Here’s a quick review of the requirements needed to become a youth worker.

  • Who Should Consider a Youth Worker Career Path? Anyone who wants to improve the well-being of others may be a good fit for a youth worker career.
  • Who Should Not Consider a Youth Worker Career Path? You should avoid this career if you dislike working closely with others or lack patience.
  • Is It Hard to Become a Youth Worker? It’s not hard to become a youth worker. You can get started by volunteering to help with a local youth program.

What Do I Need to Become a Youth Worker?

Becoming a youth worker requires a commitment to helping others.

Entry-level jobs don’t typically need further training, but advancing in this career often requires further education.

Requirements for Becoming a Youth Worker

The requirements for becoming a youth worker vary from state to state and employer to employer.

At a minimum, you typically need a high school education and a clean background.

What Skills Does a Youth Worker Need?

Youth workers should have good communication skills.

Self-control, social skills, and organizational skills are also helpful.

What Education Does a Youth Worker Need?

You may only need a high school diploma or a GED to enter the field as a youth worker.

Some employers also prefer to hire youth workers with some education beyond high school.

You may also need a college degree to advance in this career.

For example, program directors and managers typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree.

  • Can You Become a Youth Worker Without a Degree? Yes, you can become a youth worker without a degree.

What Experience Does a Youth Worker Need?

Some employers may prefer to hire youth workers who have previous work experience, such as volunteer work.

Youth Worker Education & Schooling

Youth workers often have some education beyond high school, such as an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree.

A certificate course may also suffice for entry-level jobs.

What Is Taught in a Youth Worker Course?

A youth worker course should cover the skills and knowledge needed to manage youth programs.

You may learn what goes into developing a program, how to set a budget, and how to determine the staffing needs for a program.

How Long Does a Youth Worker Course Take?

A course may last a single day or several weeks, depending on the scope of the course.

For example, some colleges offer a certificate in youth work course that includes three course units that require several weeks of training.

Youth Worker Education Options and Degree Programs

The degree programs for youth workers are often designed for those who want to eventually manage or direct youth programs.

This includes programs aimed at social workers and community service managers.

  • Bachelor’s Degree: Common bachelor’s degrees for youth workers include:
    • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
    • Human Services
    • Social Science
    • Psychology
  • Master’s Degree: Youth workers seeking master’s degrees may major in social work or related fields. Business management is also a common major.

Schools for Youth Workers

Suitable schools for youth workers include any colleges or universities that offer associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in fields of study related to community service and social work.

How to Become a Youth Worker  

If you’re still interested in becoming a youth worker, here are the steps needed to enter this field.

Steps to Become a Youth Worker

  1. Complete high school or earn a GED, as a high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement.
  2. Consider earning a bachelor’s degree. You may need a college degree to advance in this career.
  3. Volunteer your time with local youth programs to gain relevant work experience.
  4. Apply for youth worker positions.

Current Career Job Openings

Browse the following job listings to find the best career opportunities for youth workers:

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Types of Youth Work?

Youth work can vary depending on the organization that develops the youth program.

Some programs are built around educational goals, while others aim to promote personal development or improved behavior.

Do You Need a License as a Youth Worker?

Most states do not require a license or certification for youth workers.

However, related jobs, such as social workers, typically require licensing.

Wrapping Up

A youth worker is a rewarding career choice and doesn’t typically require extensive education.

You can often get started immediately after high school by volunteering with local youth programs.

If you want to further your career, you could consider enrolling in college and majoring in social work, child psychology, or a related field of study.

Browse degree options in your region to make the most of your future career as a youth worker.

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