Social and Human Service Assistants

Pay and outlook

Median annual wage, May 2025

$45,930

Half earn more, half earn less

Middle half earn

$38,150 – $54,350

25th to 75th percentile

People employed, May 2025

437,860

Wage and salary jobs (OEWS)

Projected change, 2025–35

+7.4%

Growing at twice the all-jobs rate or more (7%+)

Openings a year (projected)

48,900

New jobs plus replacing people who leave

Typical education to enter

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

• All figures are for the United States as a whole. Pay varies a lot by state and city.
• Wages are for everyone working in the occupation in May 2025, at every career stage. They are not starting salaries or figures for new graduates.
• Growth and openings are BLS projections for 2025–35. They are estimates, not promises. Openings include jobs that open up when people retire or change occupation, not just new jobs.

What the work involves

Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

Main tasks

• Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
• Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
• Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
• Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
• Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
• Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
• Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
• Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.

Description and tasks from the O*NET® 31.0 Database.

Getting in

Typical education to enter (BLS)

High school diploma or equivalent

Training once hired: short-term on-the-job training

O*NET Job Zone 4

Considerable preparation

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Fields of study that lead here

From the federal CIP–SOC crosswalk, which links 2 programmes to this occupation. A link means the programme prepares people for this kind of work. It doesn't mean the programme is required, or that it's the only route.

Related careers

Related occupations from the O*NET database, in its order.

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers

  $59,550 median · +4.4% projected

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

  $60,280 median · +10.3% projected

• Healthcare Social Workers

  $67,880 median · +8.5% projected

• Marriage and Family Therapists

  $66,940 median · +13.5% projected

• Mental Health Counselors

  $59,350 median · +18.4% projected

• Rehabilitation Counselors

  $46,850 median · +2.2% projected