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Social and human service assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$45,930median pay per year, or $22.08 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $34,200lowest 10% earn less
  2. $38,15025th percentile
  3. $45,930median
  4. $54,35075th percentile
  5. $63,290top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median social and human service assistant earned $45,930 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS expects jobs to rise 7.4% by 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.4%[2]
Openings per year
48,900[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do social and human service assistants make?

BLS counts this group as Social and Human Service Assistants. O*NET lists clinical assistant among the job titles workers report[7]. The median pay was $45,930 a year, or $22.08 an hour[1]. Half of workers made more than that and half made less. The average was $47,690 a year, or $22.93 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median was $50,980 a year[4].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,200 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $63,290[3]. A percentile is a boundary line, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][10] $34,200 $16.44
25th percentile[3][10] $38,150 $18.34
Median[1] $45,930 $22.08
75th percentile[3][10] $54,350 $26.13
90th percentile[3][10] $63,290 $30.43

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses outside regular production pay or the cost of benefits[11]. About 437,860 people held these jobs under this count[12].

Pay by state and city

Among the 50 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $59,460[13]. Washington followed at $54,770 and Oregon at $51,230[13]. Mississippi had the lowest at $31,200[13].

By metro area, Eau Claire, WI had the highest median at $63,870[14]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara came next at $60,650[14], then Fond du Lac, WI at $58,940[14].

The most jobs were in California (58,730), New York (40,970) and Pennsylvania (24,340)[15]. Among metro areas, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the most at 35,540, then Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim at 18,790 and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin at 16,080[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$59,4602,080
Washington$54,7707,590
Oregon$51,23011,260
California$51,09058,730
Minnesota$49,94011,110
New Jersey$48,42017,270
Rhode Island$47,7202,290
Maine$47,7104,580
Colorado$47,6905,410
Idaho$47,5403,810
Wisconsin$47,5007,750
Alaska$47,3601,370
Maryland$47,2107,280
New York$47,19040,970
Massachusetts$47,1309,180
Illinois$46,95022,220
New Hampshire$46,9501,860
Vermont$46,6401,920
New Mexico$46,3403,050
North Dakota$46,2601,530
Texas$45,86021,620
Wyoming$45,290610
Connecticut$44,7309,930
Indiana$44,55011,740
Florida$44,41022,670
Pennsylvania$44,05024,340
Virginia$43,45010,670
North Carolina$42,8509,020
Kansas$42,5706,070
Iowa$42,4805,230
Hawaii$42,4002,230
Missouri$41,7806,200
Arizona$40,7307,290
Delaware$40,7101,050
Tennessee$40,3104,380
Utah$39,9306,540
Georgia$39,4807,410
West Virginia$39,2903,320
Michigan$39,16012,450
Nebraska$38,9401,460
Montana$38,5701,200
Nevada$38,5702,420
South Carolina$38,5505,220
Ohio$38,39010,970
South Dakota$38,350830
Kentucky$37,4404,670
Arkansas$36,7703,530
Oklahoma$36,7403,340
Alabama$35,8303,370
Louisiana$35,7803,440
Mississippi$31,200n/a

How to become a social and human service assistant

The path into the job, based on BLS data[6][17]:

Some employers want more. They may require or prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree, either in human services or in a related area such as psychology or social science[19]. Many degree programs in human services include fieldwork for hands-on experience[20]. A criminal background check can be an employer requirement, and a valid driver's license may also be needed[21].

Moving up to case management or social work takes a bachelor's or master's degree in a field such as human services, counseling or social work[22].

In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, answers about required education varied[23]. A bachelor's degree was named by 39%, an associate's degree by 18%, some college courses by 16%, a high school diploma by 10% and a master's degree by 7%[23]. A survey this small shows a range of answers, not a rule.

What social and human service assistants do

These workers help other social and human service providers serve clients in fields such as psychology, rehabilitation and social work[24]. Tasks include:

OOH names skills that matter in the work, including communication, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills[25][26][27][28].

Where they work

Assistants are found in offices, clinics, hospitals, group homes and shelters. Some travel around their communities to see clients[29]. Full-time work is typical, and some workers may work evenings and weekends[30]. Individual and family services was the largest employer, with 28% of jobs in 2025[31].

Job outlook

BLS expects jobs to rise 7.4% between 2025 and 2035[2]. That means about 34,200 more jobs, taking the total from roughly 463,400 to 497,600[2]. Across all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[32]. These projection counts include self-employed workers, who made up 0.2% of the group in 2025[33].

About 48,900 openings a year are projected[5]. They include jobs that open when people leave the field, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 4% of workers are projected to leave the labor force and 5.5% to move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay below the all-occupations median of $50,980, with a median of $45,930[1][4]. Entry needs a high school diploma or equivalent and no related experience, with short-term on-the-job training[6]. Growth of 7.4% is above the 3.5% for all occupations[2][32]. Moving into case management or social work takes a bachelor's or master's degree[22]. The work involves sensitive conversations with people facing hard circumstances[26].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a social and human service assistant make an hour?
The median was $22.08 an hour in May 2025[1]. The average was $22.93[1][8].
What education do you need to be a social and human service assistant?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, no related experience and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Some employers may require or prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree[19].
What is the highest paying state for social and human service assistants?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $59,460 a year[13]. Washington was the highest-paying state at $54,770[13].
Are social and human service assistants in demand?
BLS expects employment to rise 7.4% between 2025 and 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][32]. About 48,900 openings are projected each year[5].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in the US was $45,930 per year and $22.08 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Social and Human Service Assistants is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 463,400 to 497,600 jobs (a change of +34,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Social and Human Service Assistants: 10th percentile $34,200, 25th percentile $38,150, 75th percentile $54,350, 90th percentile $63,290. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 48,900 openings for Social and Human Service Assistants 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
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Social and Human Service Assistants: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. O*NET 21-1093.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Addictions Counselor Assistant, Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Residential Care Assistant, Social Services Aide, Social Services Assistant, Social Work Assistant, Social Work Associate. O*NET OnLine
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Social and Human Service Assistants was $47,690 per year and $22.93 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. 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
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Social and Human Service Assistants: 10th percentile $16.44, 25th percentile $18.34, 75th percentile $26.13, 90th percentile $30.43. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. 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
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 437,860 people were employed as Social and Human Service Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Social and Human Service Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): Eau Claire, WI $63,870; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $60,650; Fond du Lac, WI $58,940; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $58,580; Napa, CA $58,470; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $58,090; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,580; Salem, OR $57,560. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Social and Human Service Assistants jobs: California 58,730; New York 40,970; Pennsylvania 24,340; Florida 22,670; Illinois 22,220. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Social and Human Service Assistants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 35,540 (median $47,860); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 18,790 (median $50,330); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 16,080 (median $47,180); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 12,160 (median $45,370); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 7,970 (median $57,580); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 7,790 (median $48,370). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 21-1093.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 39%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 18%, Some College Courses 16%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 10%, Master's Degree 7% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Social and Human Service Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of social and human service assistants in 2025: Individual and family services 28%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 0.2% of Social and Human Service Assistants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Social and Human Service Assistants: 4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

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.