Preschool Teacher
Median wage · national
$38,140
Range: $35K – $48K
Employed
479K
Openings/yr
66K
Typically: associate's degree
Social and Human Service Assistants
Social and Human Service Assistants earn $45,930 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $38,150 and $54,350. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Social and Human Service Assistants
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.
- Median Wage
- $45,930
- Employed Nationally
- 438K
- Openings / Year
- 50,600
- Entry Education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Addictions Counselor Assistant
Advocate
Case Aide
Case Management Assistant
Case Management Coordinator
How Much Do Social and Human Service Assistants Make?
Social and Human Service Assistants earn $45,930 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,150 and $54,350. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$45,930
National Median (Annual)
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$38K–$54K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$38,150
Entry-level
$45,930
Median
$54,350
Experienced
What Do Social and Human Service Assistants Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Social and Human Service Assistants roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- 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.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Speaking
Service Orientation
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Where Do Social and Human Service Assistants Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Social and Human Service Assistants?
The BLS projects +6.4% employment change for Social and Human Service Assistants through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 50,600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +6.4%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
50,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
438K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Social and Human Service Assistants professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $45,930 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 58,830 | $51,780 | +12.7% |
| 2 | New York | 40,700 | $46,210 | +0.6% |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 23,590 | $43,340 | -5.6% |
| 4 | Texas | 21,890 | $44,030 | -4.1% |
| 5 | Florida | 21,820 | $42,790 | -6.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Social and Human Service Assistants positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The 2 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Human Development | 40,263 | $48,568 | 1,057 |
| 2 | Human | 11,596 | $48,597 | 480 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Social and Human Service Assistants
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 2 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | 90 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| 5 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA | 90 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| 6 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Social and Human Service Assistants, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Social and Human Service Assistants pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Social and Human Service Assistants Pros & Cons
The data on Social and Human Service Assistants shows 4 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +6.4% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Wide job market 438K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
- Strong annual demand 50,600 job openings per year creates consistent hiring volume even in slower economic cycles. Entry-level candidates have real options throughout the year.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Modest median salary At $45,930 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $45,930 median while building the experience employers require.
Social and Human Service Assistants Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Social and Human Service Assistants professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Social and Human Service Assistants is $45,930, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,150 and $54,350. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Social and Human Service Assistants a good career?
Social and Human Service Assistants involves trade-offs worth understanding before committing. At $45,930 median, programs with high tuition are difficult to justify on salary return alone. Prioritize in-state public schools or employer-sponsored pathways. Job growth is projected at +6.4% through 2034. Genuine interest in the work, not just the salary, matters most here.
How long does it take to become a Social and Human Service Assistants?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Human Development are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $45,930 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Social and Human Service Assistants?
The BLS projects +6.4% employment change for Social and Human Service Assistants through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 50,600 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 438K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Social and Human Service Assistants professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Social and Human Service Assistants roles: Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Associate degree
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- Median wage
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Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
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- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
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- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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