Considerations beyond salary: study of job satisfaction among Chinese social work practitioners in different positions

In the context of the brain drain of social work practitioners in China, studying their job satisfaction and the influencing factors is vital. This study, focusing on non-material factors, surveyed 981 frontline social workers and 390 agency managers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Findings show differences in work independence and evaluation mechanisms between frontline workers and managers. The OLS model reveals that public recognition, career advancement, and interpersonal relationships significantly affect frontline worker job satisfaction while interpersonal relationships do not impact managers' job satisfaction. Emphasising the value of the social work profession is crucial to retain the talent.