Social and Human Service Assistants: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Community and Social Service · SOC 21-1093 · O*NET 21-1093.00
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.
Social and Human Service Assistants fall under the Community and Social Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Social and Human Service Assistants earn a median salary of $45,120 per year, ranking in the top 77% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +6.4% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do social and human service assistants earn?
The median annual wage for social and human service assistants is $45,120. That puts social and human service assistants at #624 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $33,280 |
| 25th percentile | $37,770 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,120 |
| 75th percentile | $53,040 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,850 |
| Median hourly wage | $21.69/hr |
Is social and human service assistants a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for social and human service assistants is +6.4%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 449K positions in 2024 to 478K in 2034, a net change of 29K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What do social and human service assistants do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working social and human service assistants, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
- 2.Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
- 3.Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.
- 4.Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
- 5.Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
- 6.Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
- 7.Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- 8.Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
Top skills for social and human service assistants
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become social and human service assistant?
The standard path into social and human service assistants begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
- Social Workers, All Other$69,480 median
- Healthcare Social Workers$68,090 median
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$65,140 median
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$64,520 median
- Marriage and Family Therapists$63,780 median
- Health Education Specialists$63,000 median
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about social and human service assistants
What is the median salary for social and human service assistants?
The median annual salary for social and human service assistants is $45,120 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is social and human service assistants a growing career?
BLS projects +6.4% growth for social and human service assistants from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become social and human service assistant?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to social and human service assistants?
Related occupations within the Community and Social Service category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.