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Social Services

Social and Human Service Assistants

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$45,930

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$34k – $63k

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 Human Service Assistants

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 Human Service Assistants" — 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 Human Service Assistants

    Entry / Junior

    $34,200

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Social and Human Service Assistants

    Established

    $45,930

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Social and Human Service Assistants

    Senior

    $54,610

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
  • •Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
  • •Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
  • •Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
  • •Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Social Services

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