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.
Also called: Addictions Counselor Assistant, Advocate, Case Aide, Case Management Assistant, Case Management Coordinator, Case Work Aide
Median pay
$45,930
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$34,200 – $63,290
People employed
437,860
Holland code
SCE
Social · Conventional · Enterprising
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.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Social and Human Service Assistants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What social and human service assistants do
- 01Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
- 02Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
- 03Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.
- 04Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- 05Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
- 06Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- English Language
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Empathy
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 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- 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 human service assistants
- Patient Representatives85% · group pay
- Social and Community Service Managers82% · +75%
- Recreational Therapists81% · +35%
- Credit Counselors78% · +14%
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School78% · +62%
Change into social and human service assistants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Patient Representatives89% · $50,290
- Residential Advisors82% · $42,240
- Recreation Workers81% · $36,560
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education80% · $52,100
- Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers75% · $80,730
Majors that lead here
- Developmental Services Worker
- Human Services, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.