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People with disabilities in the United States have had low levels of employment for decades, and the employment rate of people with disabilities remains virtually unchanged despite efforts to improve employment participation. This qualitative inquiry explored barriers and opportunities related to employment for social workers with disabilities through understanding their experiences of seeking, obtaining, and maintaining social work employment in the United States. Five themes emerged: anticipation and experience of hiring discrimination, accommodation confusion, disappointment with the social work profession, disability makes one a better social worker, and this could be different (and better). Findings suggest implications for employers and the social work profession. Points of interest• The literature regarding employment of people with disabilities as professional social workers is extremely limited and not empirically based.• This study explored barriers and opportunities related to employment for US social workers with disabilities through understanding their experiences of seeking, obtaining, and maintaining social work employment.• Participants expressed belief that disability made them a better social worker.• Challenges were experienced in the pursuit of employment, the need for accommodation, feeling accepted and supported, and being able to fulfill one's potential as a social worker. • This article contributes to varying degrees a sense of disappointment in the profession of social work and social work employment. • However, there were also clear examples of what works and what could be better to ensure the inclusion of qualified social work professionals with disabilities in the workforce.