Social and Human Service Assistants: Job Description
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.
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What Tasks Do Social and Human Service Assistants Do?
The day-to-day responsibilities of social and human service assistants cover:
- 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.
- Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
- Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
- Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Effective social and human service assistants draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
The competencies most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Addictions Counselor Assistant
- Advocate
- Case Aide
- Case Management Assistant
- Case Management Coordinator
- Case Work Aide
- Certified Peer Specialist
- Child Advocate
Employment and Demand
The U.S. employs around 231,978 social and human service assistants working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +9.5% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Social and Human Service Assistants
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $69,957 |
| Hourly median | $33.63 |
| 10th percentile | $40,633 |
| 25th percentile | $55,295 |
| 75th percentile | $84,619 |
| 90th percentile | $99,280 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Social and Human Service Assistants Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $57,210 |
| California | $51,780 |
| Washington | $49,940 |
| New Jersey | $49,000 |
| Minnesota | $48,860 |
| Oregon | $48,660 |
| Rhode Island | $47,620 |
| Massachusetts | $47,280 |
| North Dakota | $47,010 |
| Colorado | $46,730 |
| Wisconsin | $46,420 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Maine | $46,320 |
| Alaska | $46,210 |
| New York | $46,210 |
| Idaho | $46,060 |
| New Hampshire | $45,910 |
| Illinois | $45,700 |
| Maryland | $45,280 |
| Connecticut | $45,090 |
| New Mexico | $44,980 |
| Texas | $44,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,340 |
| Virginia | $43,190 |
| Hawaii | $43,040 |
| Wyoming | $42,870 |
| Florida | $42,790 |
| Arizona | $41,150 |
| Indiana | $41,130 |
| Delaware | $40,870 |
| Kansas | $40,540 |
| Utah | $40,500 |
| North Carolina | $40,470 |
| Iowa | $40,300 |
| Nevada | $39,240 |
| Ohio | $38,860 |
| Missouri | $38,740 |
| Tennessee | $38,710 |
| Michigan | $38,530 |
| Nebraska | $37,990 |
| West Virginia | $37,860 |
| South Dakota | $37,750 |
| Oklahoma | $37,450 |
| South Carolina | $37,430 |
| Arkansas | $37,340 |
| Georgia | $37,200 |
| Montana | $36,910 |
| Virgin Islands | $36,840 |
| Kentucky | $36,560 |
| Alabama | $34,040 |
| Louisiana | $33,520 |
| Puerto Rico | $31,540 |
| Guam | $31,300 |
| Mississippi | $28,900 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Compensation for social and human service assistants differ across the country. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $50,502 | 19.2% | 1.24 |
| New England | $46,382 | 7.5% | 1.73 |
| Middle Atlantic | $46,015 | 20.7% | 1.40 |
| Plains States | $43,254 | 7.3% | 1.18 |
| Rocky Mountains | $43,135 | 3.9% | 1.12 |
| Southwest | $43,053 | 7.9% | 0.66 |
| Great Lakes | $42,263 | 14.6% | 1.08 |
| Southeast | $39,395 | 17.5% | 0.75 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | MA | $59,900 | 640 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $59,230 | 2,160 |
| Modesto, CA | CA | $57,330 | 820 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $57,220 | 7,540 |
| Eau Claire, WI | WI | $56,990 | 350 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $56,700 | 670 |
| Napa, CA | CA | $55,470 | 230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | CA | $54,170 | 740 |
Industry Breakdown
Most social and human service assistants are concentrated in the following sectors:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 277,510 | $43,830 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 29,220 | $46,260 |
| Educational Services | 16,980 | $43,440 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 6,510 | $48,290 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3,560 | $45,100 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1,810 | $45,210 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1,500 | $47,530 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 250 | $34,930 |
Below are examples of industries where social and human service assistants work:
Software Social and Human Service Assistants Use
- Medical software: MEDITECH software (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The on-the-job environment of social and human service assistants reflects the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Education and Training
Typical social and human service assistants positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Social and Community Service Managers (Supplemental)
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (Primary-Long)
- School Psychologists (Supplemental)
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors (Supplemental)
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors (Primary-Long)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (Primary-Short)
- Mental Health Counselors (Primary-Short)
- Rehabilitation Counselors (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Students preparing for social and human service assistants commonly pursue programs in:
Public Administration and Social Service Professions
1 programs across 1 majors
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
1 programs across 1 majors
Sources
Data on this page comes from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 21-1093.00 (Social and Human Service Assistants).
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