Abstract: Taking social workers in Guangzhou as research object, this paper finds that the overall level of current social workers professional identity is comparatively high, through the analysis of factors like occupational values, feelings and competence. The development of the whole industry, management of agency, professional salaries, team relationships, occupational prestige and social identity, channels for promotion and career prospects are the important factors that affect social workers professional identity. But professional salary is not the primary factor that affects social workers professional identity. Multiple regression analysis shows that social workers professional identity is closely related with the development of their professional competence. Individuals with low professional identity have negative emotions, take cynical attitude towards jobs and show ennui in their profession, affecting the development of their professional competence. Vice versa. Individuals with high professional identity will take positive attitude and continues to learn and improve their professional competence. Lastly, countermeasures to improve the level of social workers professional identity are offered from the four aspects of government and society, social work service agencies, schools and individuals, so as to maintain the stability of social worker teams.

Key words: professional identity, professional competence, factors