How much does social and human-service assistant make?
The exact figures below come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) for Social and Human Service Assistants (SOC 21-1093), the category this role is reported under. The spread is wide because most jobs are government or nonprofit, so pay is driven by state budgets and cost of living.
| Percentile | Annual wage | Typical context |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,200 | Entry-level; lower-wage states and small nonprofits |
| 25th | $38,150 | Early-career, smaller agencies |
| 50th (median) | $45,930 | BLS OEWS May 2025 national median |
| 75th | $54,350 | Experienced workers, higher-wage states |
| 90th | $63,290 | Supervisors, managers, and high-cost metros |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, national figures, via O*NET 21-1093.00. All percentile figures are exact BLS values.
How much do Social and Human-Service Assistants make by setting type?
The ranges below are estimates grounded in the BLS distribution for this category and vary with location and employer.
| Setting | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social-service agencies | $36,000-$50,000 | Intake, eligibility, and client support under professional direction |
| Government benefits offices | $40,000-$54,000 | Civil-service scales, benefits, and PSLF eligibility |
| Group homes and residential programs | $34,000-$48,000 | Direct support; shift differentials in some settings |
| Rehabilitation and day programs | $34,000-$48,000 | Skill-building and support roles; often nonprofit |
Social and Human-Service Assistant salary by state
Geographic variation is among the widest factors in this field. Per BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates, the highest median wages cluster in the Northeast and on the West Coast, while the lowest are in the rural South and Mountain West.
Highest-paying states (median)
- District of Columbia $59,460
- Washington $54,770
- Oregon $51,230
- California $51,090
- Minnesota $49,940
- New Jersey $48,420
- Rhode Island $47,720
Lowest-paying states (median)
- Kentucky $37,440
- Arkansas $36,770
- Oklahoma $36,740
- Alabama $35,830
- Louisiana $35,780
- Mississippi $31,200
Find accredited programs in each state on our state-by-state BSW rankings.
Social and Human-Service Assistant salary by experience
| Career stage | Typical tenure | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant | 0-2 years | $34,000-$42,000 | Entry support near the 10th-25th BLS percentile |
| Senior assistant | 2-5 years | $42,000-$50,000 | Independent client support, around the BLS median |
| Lead / specialist | 5-8 years | $48,000-$60,000 | Toward the 90th percentile; a BSW supports promotion |
| Move to case manager / LBSW | varies | $46,000-$65,000+ | A BSW opens licensed and coordination roles that pay more |
What affects Social and Human-Service Assistant pay most?
Employer type
Government offices pay more than small nonprofits and add pension and PSLF benefits.
A BSW
The degree places you at the top of the assistant band and is the clearest route into higher-paid licensed and coordination roles.
Setting
Specialized programs and benefits administration pay above general support roles.
Locality
Wages track local cost of living closely.
Advancement
The fastest pay growth comes from moving up into case management or an LBSW-classified position.
See where bachelor-level licensure raises your pay classification on our credentials page.
How Social and Human-Service Assistant salary compares to other BSW careers
| Career | BLS category (SOC) | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Medical or Hospital Social Worker | 21-1022 | $67,880 |
| Behavioral-Health and Substance-Use Support Specialist | 21-1023 | $60,280 |
| Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) | 21-1021 | $59,550 |
| School Social Worker | 21-1021 | $59,550 |
| Child, Family, and Child-Welfare Caseworker | 21-1021 | $59,550 |
| Case Manager and Care Coordinator | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
| Community and Social-Service Worker | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
| Aging, Disability, and Veterans' Services Worker | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
| Social and Human-Service Assistant ← you are here | 21-1093 | $45,930 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Several roles share a BLS occupation, so their reported medians match.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025)
- O*NET OnLine 21-1093.00
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Community and Social Service
Last refreshed 2026-06-08. Exact wages reflect the BLS OEWS May 2025 release; setting and experience ranges are estimates grounded in that distribution.