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.
Also called: Adoption Services Manager, Adult Daycare Coordinator, Borough Coordinator, Case Manager, Case Services Manager, Casework Department Director
Median pay
$80,390
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$53,150 – $132,260
People employed
209,330
Holland code
ESC
Enterprising · Social · Conventional
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 3.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Social and Community Service Managers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Social and Community Service Managers salary in every state →
What social and community service managers do
- 01Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
- 02Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
- 03Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
- 04Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
- 05Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
- 06Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Psychology
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from social and community service managers
- Human Resources Managers91% · +86%
- Human Resources Specialists81% · −6%
- Compensation and Benefits Managers81% · +86%
- Labor Relations Specialists80% · +19%
- Training and Development Managers80% · +65%
Change into social and community service managers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education91% · $52,100
- Fundraisers88% · $72,550
- Recreation Workers87% · $36,560
- Human Resources Specialists85% · $75,940
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners85% · $61,160
Majors that lead here
- Behavioral Sciences
- Thanatology
- Human Services, General
- Community Organization and Advocacy
- Public Administration
- Social Work
- Youth Services/Administration
- Forensic Social Work
- Social Work, Other
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.