Social Services Career Pay: Human Service Assistant to Social Worker to Program Manager
Social services jobs are often mission-driven and modestly paid, but the federal data shows clear steps up, mostly tied to degrees and licenses. Here are the May 2025 numbers.
The pay ladder at a glance
| Occupation | U.S. jobs | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. | Typical entry education | Projected growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human service assistant | 437,860 | $34,200 | $45,930 | $63,290 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.4% |
| Substance abuse / mental health counselor | 491,930 | $38,940 | $59,350 | $97,590 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
| Child, family & school social worker | 392,550 | $42,280 | $59,550 | $95,530 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Social & community service manager | 209,330 | $53,150 | $80,390 | $132,260 | Bachelor's degree | +7.2% |
Wages are May 2025 estimates from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; growth and education from BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. The 10th and 90th percentiles show the range from entry-level or lower-paying employers to the most experienced or best-paid workers. For comparison, the median for all U.S. occupations was $50,980.
Entry roles
Social and human service assistants earn a median of $45,930. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook says they typically need at least a high school diploma and train on the job; some employers require a background check.
Counselors and social workers
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors earn $59,350, and BLS projects 18.4% growth from 2025 to 2035. Child, family and school social workers earn $59,550. BLS notes that clinical social workers need a master’s degree, supervised clinical experience and a state license, and that mental health counselors typically need a master’s degree and an internship.
Into management
Social and community service managers earn $80,390. They typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and related work experience; some positions require a master’s.
Where child, family & school social workers earn the most
State medians for child, family, and school social workers vary widely. The five highest-paying states in the May 2025 survey:
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $78,970 | 5,230 |
| Maryland | $76,390 | 4,710 |
| New Jersey | $76,280 | 7,360 |
| Massachusetts | $75,570 | 10,900 |
| Washington | $74,480 | 10,720 |
Raise tips for social services workers
- Licensure is the main lever. Clinical roles that require a license often sit in higher pay bands; check postings in your area.
- Government vs. nonprofit. Compare state and county job postings, which publish pay ranges, with nonprofit offers.
Published October 27, 2026. Sources are linked in the text.
Header image: original chart by JobPayRaise.com using BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
Comments (1)
Many social services jobs come with a valuable benefit that doesn't show up in salary data: full-time work for government or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit counts toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives the remaining balance on federal Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments. Factor that into any offer comparison. Rule: 34 CFR 685.219.