### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Social and Human Service Assistants Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			social and human service assistants imageSocial and human service assistants help clients identify and obtain benefits and services.							
						Quick Facts:     Social and Human Service Assistants2023     Median Pay
            						$41,410     per year
										$19.91     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Short-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    415,100Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    9% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    35,600What Social and Human Service Assistants Do
                                                
                        
                        
Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Many social and human service assistants work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service agencies, and state and local governments. They generally work full time, and some work nights and weekends.
            
                                                How to Become a Social and Human Service Assistant
                                                
                        
Requirements for social and human service assistants vary, although they typically have at least a high school diploma and must complete a brief period of on-the-job training.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for social and human service assistants was $41,410 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of social and human service assistants is projected to grow							 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 47,400 openings for social and human service assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for social and human service assistants.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of social and human service assistants with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about social and human service assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Social and Human Service Assistants Do 
            

			Social and human service assistantsSocial and human service assistants help the elderly stay in their own homes and live under their own care whenever possible.			
Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.
Duties
Social and human service assistants typically do the following:
Help determine what type of aid their clients need
Work with clients and other professionals, such as social workers, to develop a treatment plan
Help clients find assistance with daily activities, such as eating and bathing
Research services, such as food stamps and Medicaid, that are available to clients
Coordinate services provided to clients
Help clients complete paperwork to apply for assistance programs
Check in with clients to ensure that services are provided appropriatelySocial and human service assistants have many job titles, including *case work aide*, *clinical social work aide*, *family service assistant*, *social work assistant*, *addictions counselor assistant*, and *human service worker*.
Social and human service assistants help clients identify and obtain benefits and services. In addition to initially connecting clients with benefits or services, social and human service assistants may follow up with clients to ensure that they are receiving the intended services and that the services are meeting their needs. They work under the direction of social workers, psychologists, or other community and social service workers.
With ***children and families***, social and human service assistants ensure that the children live in safe homes. They help parents get needed resources for their children, such as food stamps or childcare.
With the ***elderly***, these workers help clients stay in their own homes and live under their own care whenever possible. Social and human service assistants may coordinate meal deliveries or find personal care aides to help with the clients’ day-to-day needs, such as running errands and bathing. In some cases, human service assistants help look for residential care facilities, such as nursing homes.
For ***people with disabilities***, social and human service assistants help find rehabilitation services that aid their clients. They may work with employers to make a job more accessible to people with disabilities. Some workers find personal care services to help clients with daily living activities, such as bathing and making meals.
For ***people with addictions***, human service assistants find rehabilitation centers that meet their clients’ needs. They also may find support groups for people who are dependent on alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other substances or behaviors.
With ***veterans****,* assistants help people who have been discharged from the military adjust to civilian life. They help with practical needs, such as locating housing and finding ways to apply skills gained in the military to civilian jobs. They may also help their clients navigate the services available to veterans.
For ***people with mental illnesses***, social and human service assistants help clients find the appropriate resources to help them cope with their illness. They find self-help and support groups to provide their clients with an assistance network. In addition, they may find personal care services or group housing to help those with more severe mental illnesses care for themselves.
With ***immigrants***, workers help clients adjust to living in a new country. They help the clients locate jobs and housing. They may also help them find programs that teach English, or they may find legal assistance to help immigrants get administrative paperwork in order.
With ***former prison inmates***, human service assistants find job training or placement programs to help clients reenter society. Human service assistants help former inmates find housing and connect with programs that help them start a new life for themselves.
With ***homeless people***, assistants help clients meet their basic needs. They find temporary or permanent housing for their clients and locate places, such as soup kitchens, that provide meals. Human service assistants also help homeless people find resources to address other problems they may have, such as joblessness.
 Work Environment
			Social and human service assistantsSocial and human service assistants sometimes travel around their community to see clients.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Social and human service assistants held about 415,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of social and human service assistants were as follows:
        Individual and family services
                29%Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                13Nursing and residential care facilities
                11Community and vocational rehabilitation services
                10State government, excluding education and hospitals
                8Social and human service assistants work in offices, clinics, hospitals, group homes, and shelters. Some travel around their communities to see clients.
Work Schedules
Most social and human service assistants work full time. Some work nights and weekends.
 How to Become a Social and Human Service Assistant

			Social and human service assistantsThe duties of social and human service assistants are often determined by their level of education.			
Requirements for social and human service assistants vary, although they typically have at least a high school diploma and must complete a brief period of on-the-job training.
Some employers require a criminal background check. Social and human service assistants also may need a valid driver’s license.
Education
Although a high school diploma is typically required, some employers prefer to hire workers who have relevant work experience or education beyond high school. A certificate or an associate’s degree in a subject such as human services, gerontology (working with older adults), or social or behavioral science is becoming more common for workers entering this occupation. Although not required, a bachelor's degree in fields such as social science, psychology, or public policy and social services may provide useful background knowledge.
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.
The level of education that social and human service assistants have completed often determines the responsibilities they are given. Those with a high school diploma are likely to do lower level work, such as helping clients fill out paperwork. Assistants with some college education may coordinate program activities or manage a group home.
Training
Many social and human service assistants, particularly those without any postsecondary education, undergo a short period of on-the-job training. Because such workers often are dealing with multiple clients from a wide variety of backgrounds, on-the-job training in case management helps prepare them to respond appropriately to the different needs and situations of their clients.
Advancement
For social and human service assistants, additional education is almost always necessary for advancement. In general, 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
***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.
***Compassion.*** Social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations. To develop strong relationships, they must have compassion and empathy for their clients.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. Assistants also build relationships with other service providers to become familiar with all of the resources that are available in their communities.
***Organizational skills.*** Social and human service assistants must often complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients. They must be organized in order 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.
***Time-management skills.*** Social and human service assistants often work with many clients. They must manage their time effectively to ensure that their clients are getting the attention they need.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Social and Human Service AssistantsMedian annual wages, May 2023Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists$51,970  Total, all occupations$48,060  Social and human service assistants$41,410Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for social and human service assistants was $41,410 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,720, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $61,820.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for social and human service assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Local government, excluding education and hospitals
                $48,880State government, excluding education and hospitals
                46,720Individual and family services
                40,340Community and vocational rehabilitation services
                38,210Nursing and residential care facilities
                37,500Most social and human service assistants work full time. Some work nights and weekends.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
               Social and Human Service AssistantsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Social and human service assistants9%  Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists9%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of social and human service assistants is projected to grow				 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 47,400 openings for social and human service assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
A growing population of older people and rising demand for social services are expected to drive demand for these workers.
An increase in the number of older adults is expected to result in growing demand for the social services they use, including home-delivered meals and community center activities. Because social and human service assistants often arrange and provide these services, more of these workers will be needed to meet the increased demand.
In addition, employment growth is expected as more people with substance use disorders enroll in treatment programs rather than being sent to jail. As a result, demand should increase for social and human service assistants who work in treatment programs or who work with people with addictions.
			

                        Employment projections data for     social and human service assistants, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Social and human service assistants**
			21-1093
			415,100
			450,600
			9
			35,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Social and human service assistants **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of social and human service assistants. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Childcare Workers**
            Childcare workers attend to children's needs while helping to foster early development.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $30,370**Health Education Specialists**
            Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $62,860**Home Health and Personal Care Aides**
            Home health and personal care aides monitor the condition of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and help them with daily living activities.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $33,530**Marriage and Family Therapists**
            Marriage and family therapists diagnose and treat cognitive, behavioral, or similar disorders in the context of couples and other relationships.
            Master's degree
            $58,510**Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists**
            Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.
            Bachelor's degree
            $61,800**Rehabilitation Counselors**
            Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.
            Master's degree
            $44,040**Social and Community Service Managers**
            Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $77,030**Social Workers**
            Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.
            See How to Become One
            $58,380**Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors**
            Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
            Bachelor's degree
            $53,710
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about social and human service assistants, visit
National Organization for Human Services

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Social and Human Service Assistants
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Social and Human Service Assistants, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-and-human-service-assistants.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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