Social and human service assistants salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Mean (average) | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| 90th percentile | $63,290 | $30.43 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Social and human service assistants pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 54 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,830 | $24,170 | $52,100 | 3,370 | 0.57 |
| Alaska | $47,360 | $37,440 | $78,850 | 1,370 | 1.5 |
| Arizona | $40,730 | $35,630 | $49,950 | 7,290 | 0.8 |
| Arkansas | $36,770 | $25,880 | $49,660 | 3,530 | 0.96 |
| California | $51,090 | $39,040 | $74,250 | 58,730 | 1.15 |
| Colorado | $47,690 | $38,440 | $65,450 | 5,410 | 0.67 |
| Connecticut | $44,730 | $36,890 | $60,980 | 9,930 | 2.08 |
| Delaware | $40,710 | $33,080 | $49,420 | 1,050 | 0.77 |
| District of Columbia | $59,460 | $40,930 | $86,090 | 2,080 | 1.05 |
| Florida | $44,410 | $34,180 | $59,460 | 22,670 | 0.81 |
| Georgia | $39,480 | $29,030 | $58,050 | 7,410 | 0.54 |
| Guam | $38,920 | $25,730 | $55,430 | 160 | 0.88 |
| Hawaii | $42,400 | $36,530 | $58,030 | 2,230 | 1.26 |
| Idaho | $47,540 | $37,450 | $60,470 | 3,810 | 1.58 |
| Illinois | $46,950 | $35,030 | $72,780 | 22,220 | 1.29 |
| Indiana | $44,550 | $31,200 | $58,640 | 11,740 | 1.3 |
| Iowa | $42,480 | $33,060 | $60,780 | 5,230 | 1.19 |
| Kansas | $42,570 | $34,330 | $55,580 | 6,070 | 1.5 |
| Kentucky | $37,440 | $27,540 | $55,530 | 4,670 | 0.83 |
| Louisiana | $35,780 | $27,060 | $49,810 | 3,440 | 0.63 |
| Maine | $47,710 | $39,770 | $60,050 | 4,580 | 2.54 |
| Maryland | $47,210 | $36,990 | $68,890 | 7,280 | 0.94 |
| Massachusetts | $47,130 | $39,440 | $63,670 | 9,180 | 0.9 |
| Michigan | $39,160 | $30,780 | $57,100 | 12,450 | 1 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 | $38,490 | $64,560 | 11,110 | 1.34 |
| Mississippi | $31,200 | $22,990 | $45,710 | ||
| Missouri | $41,780 | $31,730 | $50,710 | 6,200 | 0.75 |
| Montana | $38,570 | $29,840 | $50,620 | 1,200 | 0.83 |
| Nebraska | $38,940 | $31,010 | $46,640 | 1,460 | 0.51 |
| Nevada | $38,570 | $30,940 | $56,470 | 2,420 | 0.55 |
| New Hampshire | $46,950 | $37,700 | $58,210 | 1,860 | 0.97 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 | $34,340 | $72,800 | 17,270 | 1.43 |
| New Mexico | $46,340 | $32,820 | $63,650 | 3,050 | 1.24 |
| New York | $47,190 | $35,980 | $64,430 | 40,970 | 1.5 |
| North Carolina | $42,850 | $30,620 | $59,570 | 9,020 | 0.65 |
| North Dakota | $46,260 | $37,270 | $66,170 | 1,530 | 1.26 |
| Ohio | $38,390 | $30,250 | $52,570 | 10,970 | 0.7 |
| Oklahoma | $36,740 | $27,490 | $54,320 | 3,340 | 0.69 |
| Oregon | $51,230 | $39,860 | $67,170 | 11,260 | 2.03 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,050 | $34,520 | $58,700 | 24,340 | 1.43 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,570 | $23,960 | $41,220 | 5,560 | 2.1 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 | $36,580 | $71,270 | 2,290 | 1.62 |
| South Carolina | $38,550 | $30,270 | $58,120 | 5,220 | 0.8 |
| South Dakota | $38,350 | $29,850 | $48,120 | 830 | 0.64 |
| Tennessee | $40,310 | $30,280 | $52,190 | 4,380 | 0.47 |
| Texas | $45,860 | $31,350 | $60,460 | 21,620 | 0.55 |
| Utah | $39,930 | $33,790 | $55,840 | 6,540 | 1.34 |
| Vermont | $46,640 | $38,760 | $55,380 | 1,920 | 2.24 |
| Virgin Islands | $37,150 | $29,560 | $42,430 | 60 | 0.62 |
| Virginia | $43,450 | $32,840 | $60,500 | 10,670 | 0.92 |
| Washington | $54,770 | $43,180 | $72,770 | 7,590 | 0.76 |
| West Virginia | $39,290 | $29,690 | $52,510 | 3,320 | 1.68 |
| Wisconsin | $47,500 | $34,990 | $71,390 | 7,750 | 0.94 |
| Wyoming | $45,290 | $34,280 | $61,080 | 610 | 0.77 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for social and human service assistants
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 48,900. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.2%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for social and human service assistants
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Developmental Services Worker CIP 19.0710
- Human Services, General CIP 44.0000
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Database software
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking
- PointClickCare healthcare software
- Web browser software
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Persuasion, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.
Common job titles: Addictions Counselor Assistant, Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Residential Care Assistant, Social Services Aide, Social Services Assistant, Social Work Assistant, Social Work Associate, Social Worker Assistant.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do social and human service assistants make?
The national median annual wage for social and human service assistants was $45,930 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $34,200 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $63,290. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do social and human service assistants need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is social and human service assistants a growing career?
BLS projects employment of social and human service assistants to change +7.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 48,900 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay social and human service assistants the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were District of Columbia ($59,460), Washington ($54,770), Oregon ($51,230). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.