Caseloads and Salaries of Nephrology Social Workers by State, ESRD Network, and National Kidney Foundation Region: Summary Findings for 2007 and 2010

Abstract

The Council of Nephrology Social Workers and the National Kidney Foundation conducted two national online surveys of nephrology social workers to assess caseload and salary trends by state, End-Stage Renal Disease Network, and National Kidney Foundation Region. Between 2007 and 2010, outpatient dialysis social workers experienced increases in mean case-load size from 73 to 79 (up 8.2%) for those employed 20–31 hours per week, 113 to 121 (up 7.1%) for those employed 32–40 hrs/wk, and 117 to 126 (up 7.7%) for those employed 40 hrs/wk. Increases in mean hourly wage were also reported across all three employment status groups for dialysis social workers: $25.03 to $28.16 per hour (up 12.5%) for 20–31 hrs/wk, $24.65 to $27.18 per hour (up 10.3%) for 32–40 hrs/wk, and $24.49 to $26.93 per hour (up 10%) for social workers employed 40 hrs/wk. For transplant social workers, mean hourly wage data showed increases across all three employment status groups: $22.96 to $27.74 per hour (up 20.8%) for those employed 20–31 hrs/wk, $25.19 to $29.56 per hour (up 17.3%) for those employed 32–40 hrs/wk, and $24.57 to $29.79 per hour (up 21.2%) for those employed 40 hrs/wk. In general, increases in caseload and hourly wage were found for nearly all states, End Stage Renal Disease Networks, and National Kidney Foundation Regions.