How much does a social and human service assistant make?
The median social and human service assistant in the United States earns $45,930 per year, about $22.08 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all social and human service assistants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-1093.
Social and human service assistant salary range
Pay for social and human service assistants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $63,290. The average (mean) wage of $47,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,200 | $16.44 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,150 | $18.34 | |
| Median (50th) | $45,930 | $22.08 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $54,350 | $26.13 | |
| 90th percentile | $63,290 | $30.43 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for social and human service assistants (SOC 21-1093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Social and human service assistant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Social and human service assistants earn the most in District of Columbia at $59,460 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $31,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,460 | 2,080 |
| Washington | $54,770 | 7,590 |
| Oregon | $51,230 | 11,260 |
| California | $51,090 | 58,730 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 | 11,110 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 | 17,270 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 | 2,290 |
| Maine | $47,710 | 4,580 |
| Colorado | $47,690 | 5,410 |
| Idaho | $47,540 | 3,810 |
| Wisconsin | $47,500 | 7,750 |
| Alaska | $47,360 | 1,370 |
| Maryland | $47,210 | 7,280 |
| New York | $47,190 | 40,970 |
| Massachusetts | $47,130 | 9,180 |
| Illinois | $46,950 | 22,220 |
| New Hampshire | $46,950 | 1,860 |
| Vermont | $46,640 | 1,920 |
| New Mexico | $46,340 | 3,050 |
| North Dakota | $46,260 | 1,530 |
| Texas | $45,860 | 21,620 |
| Wyoming | $45,290 | 610 |
| Connecticut | $44,730 | 9,930 |
| Indiana | $44,550 | 11,740 |
| Florida | $44,410 | 22,670 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,050 | 24,340 |
| Virginia | $43,450 | 10,670 |
| North Carolina | $42,850 | 9,020 |
| Kansas | $42,570 | 6,070 |
| Iowa | $42,480 | 5,230 |
| Hawaii | $42,400 | 2,230 |
| Missouri | $41,780 | 6,200 |
| Arizona | $40,730 | 7,290 |
| Delaware | $40,710 | 1,050 |
| Tennessee | $40,310 | 4,380 |
| Utah | $39,930 | 6,540 |
| Georgia | $39,480 | 7,410 |
| West Virginia | $39,290 | 3,320 |
| Michigan | $39,160 | 12,450 |
| Nebraska | $38,940 | 1,460 |
| Montana | $38,570 | 1,200 |
| Nevada | $38,570 | 2,420 |
| South Carolina | $38,550 | 5,220 |
| Ohio | $38,390 | 10,970 |
| South Dakota | $38,350 | 830 |
| Kentucky | $37,440 | 4,670 |
| Arkansas | $36,770 | 3,530 |
| Oklahoma | $36,740 | 3,340 |
| Alabama | $35,830 | 3,370 |
| Louisiana | $35,780 | 3,440 |
| Mississippi | $31,200 | N/A |
State median wages for social and human service assistants (SOC 21-1093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for social and human service assistants
The BLS projects employment of social and human service assistants to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 463,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 497,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 48,900 openings a year for social and human service assistants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a social and human service assistant
The typical entry-level education for social and human service assistants is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a social and human service assistant earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $59,460) and the lowest (Mississippi, $31,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 437,860 people work as social and human service assistants in the United States. At $45,930 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Social and human service assistant salary FAQ
How much does a social and human service assistant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a social and human service assistant is $22.08. The middle half of social and human service assistants earn between $18.34 and $26.13 per hour.
What is the highest social and human service assistant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of social and human service assistants earn more than $63,290 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a social and human service assistant make a year?
The median annual salary for a social and human service assistant is $45,930. The average (mean) wage of $47,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a social and human service assistant a well paid job?
At $45,930 a year, a social and human service assistant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 437,860 people work as social and human service assistants in the United States.
Which state pays social and human service assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for social and human service assistants at $59,460 a year. Washington ($54,770) and Oregon ($51,230) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a social and human service assistant a good career?
Employment of social and human service assistants is projected to grow 7.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 48,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a social and human service assistant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for social and human service assistants as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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