All careers › Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs
Eligibility specialist: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $38,900lowest 10% earn less
- $45,91025th percentile
- $54,210median
- $63,61075th percentile
- $74,690top 10% earn more
Eligibility specialists, which BLS counts as Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs, had a median pay of $54,210 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +1.6%[2]
- Openings per year
- 12,700[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do eligibility specialists make?
The median wage was $54,210 a year, or $26.06 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $56,090 a year, or $26.97 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,900 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $74,690[3]. The middle half earned between $45,910 and $63,610[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[8].
| Level | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][9] | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile[3][9] | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Median[1] | $54,210 | $26.06 |
| 75th percentile[3][9] | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| 90th percentile[3][9] | $74,690 | $35.91 |
These figures cover about 154,800 people in wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].
Pay by state and city
The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $74,080, followed by Connecticut at $71,940 and Michigan at $66,830[12]. Washington came next at $66,330[12]. Mississippi had the lowest published median at $36,840, just below Florida at $37,230[12].
California had the most jobs at 30,960[13]. Texas had 12,020, Pennsylvania 10,280, New York 10,220 and North Carolina 7,740[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $97,900[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $82,960[14]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area had the most jobs at 15,160, with a median of $63,520[15].
Show median pay in 49 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[12] | $74,080 | 640 |
| Connecticut | $71,940 | 1,250 |
| Michigan | $66,830 | 5,060 |
| Washington | $66,330 | 3,880 |
| Massachusetts | $64,750 | 1,700 |
| Rhode Island | $64,560 | 570 |
| California | $63,520 | 30,960 |
| Minnesota | $62,820 | 2,910 |
| Alaska | $61,840 | 400 |
| Illinois | $61,840 | 1,740 |
| Iowa | $61,340 | 1,040 |
| Montana | $59,180 | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,070 | 10,280 |
| Colorado | $58,750 | 3,140 |
| Vermont | $58,530 | 310 |
| New Hampshire | $57,300 | 240 |
| Maryland | $57,160 | 3,710 |
| Oregon | $55,660 | 1,740 |
| Nevada | $55,160 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $54,970 | 610 |
| Alabama | $54,040 | 2,720 |
| New York | $53,430 | 10,220 |
| New Mexico | $53,000 | 790 |
| Utah | $52,790 | 1,960 |
| Idaho | $52,670 | 240 |
| South Dakota | $52,350 | 470 |
| Kentucky | $52,020 | 1,710 |
| North Dakota | $51,810 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $51,480 | 1,610 |
| New Jersey | $51,380 | 920 |
| Virginia | $50,960 | 4,290 |
| Maine | $50,860 | 620 |
| Nebraska | $50,320 | 220 |
| Ohio | $50,070 | 4,300 |
| Kansas | $49,650 | 810 |
| Tennessee | $49,230 | 4,060 |
| Oklahoma | $49,090 | 520 |
| Louisiana | $48,260 | 740 |
| North Carolina | $47,350 | 7,740 |
| Texas | $46,860 | 12,020 |
| Arkansas | $45,340 | 610 |
| Georgia | $44,620 | 6,120 |
| West Virginia | $44,150 | 250 |
| Delaware | $42,900 | 120 |
| Missouri | $42,850 | 4,130 |
| Arizona | $41,690 | 3,440 |
| Indiana | $40,160 | 3,000 |
| South Carolina | $38,670 | 1,750 |
| Florida | $37,230 | 5,880 |
| Mississippi | $36,840 | 1,760 |
How to become an eligibility specialist
The training details here come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of information clerks, not only eligibility interviewers[16].
- First: BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education for entry[6].
- Next: BLS lists no related work experience as typical[6].
- Then: workers typically learn through moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. For clerks employed in government, the wider profile says training may last several months and covers government programs and regulations[17].
In an ONET survey of 29 workers, 26% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 24% said a bachelor's degree, 24% an associate's or other 2-year degree, 19% some college courses and 7% a master's degree[18]. That is a small survey, so treat it as a rough picture. ONET places the job in its medium preparation group[19].
What eligibility specialists do
Eligibility interviewers decide whether people qualify for help from government programs, including welfare and unemployment benefits, social security and public housing[20]. Typical tasks include:
- Working out and approving the amount of assistance, such as grants and payments[21].
- Interviewing applicants to collect the details of their applications[21].
- Meeting benefit recipients at set times to confirm they still qualify[21].
- Checking personal and financial data for accuracy and completeness[21].
- Contacting employers or other references to verify answers[21].
- Explaining requirements, payment methods and applicants' legal rights[21].
- Starting steps to grant, change, deny or end assistance, or referring people to other agencies[21].
- Keeping case records and preparing reports[21].
Job titles workers reported include eligibility worker, eligibility examiner and case manager[22].
Where they work
This section draws on the wider information clerk profile[16]. Information clerks work in nearly every industry. Most work in offices, but interviewers may travel to meet applicants where they are[23]. Clear communication matters, because clerks must explain policies and procedures to the public[24]. Customer service work can be stressful, especially with dissatisfied customers[25].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of eligibility interviewers to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 162,800 to 165,300 jobs[2]. Those counts include the self-employed[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[26].
About 12,700 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.3% of workers leave the labor force and 4.3% move to a different occupation[27].
Is it a good fit?
The median pay of $54,210 is a little above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][4]. Entry typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent and no related experience, followed by moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. Projected growth of 1.6% is below the 3.5% for all occupations, though about 12,700 openings a year are projected[2][26][5]. Pay varies by place, from $36,840 in Mississippi to $74,080 in the District of Columbia[12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an eligibility specialist make an hour?
- The median was $26.06 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $26.97[1][7].
- What education do you need to be an eligibility specialist?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, with moderate-term on-the-job training[6].
- Is eligibility work in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 12,700 openings a year[2][26][5].
- What is the highest paying state for eligibility specialists?
- The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $74,080, followed by Connecticut at $71,940[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs in the US was $54,210 per year and $26.06 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs is projected to grow 1.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 162,800 to 165,300 jobs (a change of +2,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs: 10th percentile $38,900, 25th percentile $45,910, 75th percentile $63,610, 90th percentile $74,690. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 12,700 openings for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs was $56,090 per year and $26.97 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs: 10th percentile $18.70, 25th percentile $22.07, 75th percentile $30.58, 90th percentile $35.91. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 154,800 people were employed as Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs jobs: California 30,960; Texas 12,020; Pennsylvania 10,280; New York 10,220; North Carolina 7,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,900; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $82,960; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $80,330; Madison, WI $77,800; Salinas, CA $76,090; New Haven, CT $75,370; Vallejo, CA $75,360; Waterbury-Shelton, CT $74,050. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 15,160 (median $63,520); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 6,920 (median $52,980); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 4,620 (median $60,960); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 4,380 (median $47,530); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 3,250 (median $57,470); San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR 3,170 (median $49,940). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Information Clerks" covers Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 43-4061.00 survey of workers (29 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 26%, Bachelor's Degree 24%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 24%, Some College Courses 19%, Master's Degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 43-4061.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 43-4061.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Benefits Program Tech (Benefits Program Technician), Business and Employment Specialist, Case Manager, Eligibility Examiner, Eligibility Specialist, Eligibility Worker, Program Eligibility Specialist, Social Welfare Examiner (SWEX). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs: 3.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.