Social and Human Service Assistants
Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
Is social and human service assistants a good career?
It scores 24/100 and ranks #241 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 50,600 a year
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($45,930 vs $61,390)
What social and human service assistants earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. social and human service assistants earn between $38,150 and $54,350 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live social and human service assistants jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
A high school diploma is typically required for entry-level jobs. Some employers may require or prefer that workers have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field, such as social science, psychology, or public policy and social services.
Human service degree programs train students to observe and interview patients, carry out treatment plans, and handle people who are undergoing a crisis. Many programs include fieldwork to give students hands-on experience.
Training
Social and human service assistants usually receive training on the job. Because workers may deal with multiple clients from a variety of backgrounds, on-the-job training in case management helps prepare them to respond appropriately to the different needs of their clients.
Advancement
For social and human service assistants, additional education is typically needed for advancement. Advancement to case management or social work jobs requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, social work, or a related field.
Important qualities
Adaptability. Social and human service assistants must be flexible and able to adjust their approach based on changing circumstances and clients’ needs.
Communication skills. Social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help. These workers must be able to listen to their clients and to communicate the clients’ needs to organizations that can help them.
Customer-service skills. Social and human service assistants spend much of their time interacting with clients and other service providers. They offer information and assistance and potentially deal with difficult situations.
Interpersonal skills. Social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. They must be compassionate and patient when assisting people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. Assistants also build relationships with other service providers to become familiar with the resources available in their communities.
Organizational skills. Social and human service assistants often must complete paperwork and work with many different clients. They must be organized to ensure that the paperwork is filed properly and that clients are getting the help they need.
Problem-solving skills. Social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems. They must be able to listen carefully to their clients’ needs and offer practical solutions.
Related occupations
How much do social and human service assistants make?
The national median wage is $45,930 a year, with the middle half earning between $38,150 and $54,350 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is social and human service assistants a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 24 of 100 and ranks #241 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +6.4% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a social and human service assistant?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent.
Where do social and human service assistants earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($59,460). Local pay for every state and metro is below.