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ABSTRACT
Understanding retention in any profession is dependent on thorough workforce studies. Here, wages and caretaking, and the interaction of the two, were examined to understand retention of social workers. Respondents were 785 Master of social work alumni from the mid-South. Differences among three groups were studied: those working, those who have left the workforce, and those who had left but may return. Of the respondents, 92% thought an above average income was important; 48% of households included children; and 21% reported caretaking others. Wage was not a reason to leave social work but caretaking was. Moreover, caretaking and financial responsibility may be a reason not to return.