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Social Services

Social and Community Service Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.

Median salary (BLS)

$80,390

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$53k – $132k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $87,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Social and Community Service Managers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$40,200–$151,000

Time to qualify

5 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    State license — supervised hours + exam

    License

    Most counseling and social-work roles (LCSW/LPC pattern) require supervised experience hours and a state exam.

    $200–$1,000 · 12 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Social and Community Service Managers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Social and Community Service Managers

    Entry / Junior

    $53,150

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Social and Community Service Managers

    Established

    $80,390

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Social and Community Service Managers

    Senior

    $106,325

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
  • •Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
  • •Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
  • •Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
  • •Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Social Services

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.