Social & Human Service Assistant
Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
What the job is
- The work
- Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.
BLS
Social and Human Service Assistants — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Work environment
- Many social and human service assistants work for nonprofit organizations, for-profit social service agencies, and state and local governments. Most work full time, and some work evenings and weekends.
BLS
Social and Human Service Assistants — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- People who want to help clients find services right away and may study social work later.
- Career cluster
- Healthcare & Human Services
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (social and human service assistants).
- Median pay
- $45,930 a year ($22.08 an hour)
BLS
Social and Human Service Assistants — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 463,400
- Typical entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Training after hire
- Short-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +7%, which BLS calls "much faster than average"
BLS
Social and Human Service Assistants — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- +34,200 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- Social and human service assistants typically need at least a high school diploma, although specific requirements may vary. Training is usually provided on the job.
BLS
Social and Human Service Assistants — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- In short
- A high school diploma is typical for entry-level jobs, with training on the job. Case management or social work jobs later need a bachelor's or master's degree.
- License
- Not required
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
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StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
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- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Social and human service assistant: start with a diploma, grow with a degree
See the roadmap
Route 1: High school diploma → on-the-job training · Route 2: Degree → case manager or social worker
More careers in Healthcare & Human Services
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 20 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.