Community and social service workers

This occupational group includes counselors, social workers, health 

educators, probation officers, correctional treatment specialists, 

community health workers, clergy, and directors of religious 

activities.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make 

decisions, interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 98.4 

percent of community and social service workers, and basic people 

skills were required for 1.6 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of community and social service workers with cognitive and mental 

requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 80.3 19.7

Interaction with general public >99.5 <0.5

Working around crowds 2.9 97.1

Telework 18.0 82.0

Work review: Supervising others 12.0 88.0

Work review: Presence of supervisor 40.1 59.9

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and 

experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 74.6 percent of 

community and social service 

workers. Prior work 

experience was required for 

63.1 percent and on-the-job 

training was required for 68.0 

percent.

A bachelor's degree was 

required for 40.9 percent of 

community and social service workers and a master's degree was required for 34.6 percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete 

hazards or difficulties that are in the 

vicinity of where jobs’ critical tasks are 

performed.

In 2023, greater than 99.5 percent of 

community and social service workers 

were not exposed to extreme cold, and 

greater than 99.5 percent were not 

exposed to extreme heat. Wetness was 

not present for 86.6 percent, greater 

than 99.5 percent were not exposed to 

heavy vibrations, and 75.8 percent 

were not exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities 

required to perform tasks in jobs. The 

presence and, in some cases, duration 

of these activities are published.

In 2023, keyboarding was required for 

98.2 percent of community and social 

service workers and was not required 

for 1.8 percent. For 1.6 percent of 

workers, keyboarding was seldom 

performed, for 56.2 percent 

keyboarding occurred occasionally, 

39.9 percent frequently, and for 0.6 

percent keyboarding occurred 

constantly.

Performing work in low postures was 

required for 26.2 percent of 

community and social service workers and was not required for 73.8 percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 82.3 percent of community and social service 

workers. On average, workers spent 70.4 percent of the workday sitting and 29.6 percent of the workday standing.

Table 2. Percentage of community and social service workers with physical demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 82.3 17.7

Driving 48.0 52.0

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 32.3 67.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey