Social and Human Service Assistants

SOC: 21-1093 O*NET: 21-1093.00
Median Salary
$45,120
per year
Job Growth
📈 6.4%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
50.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

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.

What does a Social and Human Service Assistants do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$33,280
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,770
25th percentile
Median
$45,120
50th percentile
Experienced
$53,040
75th percentile
Top Earners
$63,850
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$33,280
25th
$37,770
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$45,120
Mean: $47,090
75th
$53,040
90th
$63,850
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $30,570 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $37,770 and $53,040
  • Salary spread is 33.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
  • Total national employment: 424,220 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:449,600

Top Industries

Social Assistance42.1%
Individual and Family Services29.6%
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities10.8%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+6.4%
Annual Openings:50,600

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)449,600
Current
2034 (Projected)478,500
+6.4%
+28,900
Employment Change
+6.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Social and Human Service Assistants professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
58,830 jobs$51,7801.18x
New York
40,700 jobs$46,2101.55x
Pennsylvania
23,590 jobs$43,3401.43x
Texas
21,890 jobs$44,0300.57x
Florida
21,820 jobs$42,7900.81x
Illinois
20,460 jobs$45,7001.23x
New Jersey
15,060 jobs$49,0001.29x
Michigan
12,920 jobs$38,5301.07x
Massachusetts
11,870 jobs$47,2801.18x
Indiana
11,410 jobs$41,1301.30x
Minnesota
11,290 jobs$48,8601.41x
Ohio
11,170 jobs$38,8600.73x
Oregon
10,820 jobs$48,6602.00x
Connecticut
9,080 jobs$45,0901.96x
Georgia
8,720 jobs$37,2000.65x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Writing
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%

Skills Overview

Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Writing
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Social Perceptiveness

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Writing

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Monitoring

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Persuasion

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Wind Energy Operations Managers82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
  • Coordination
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Service Orientation
  • Reading Comprehension

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Social and Human Service Assistants

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

MEDITECH software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Management & Supervision (3)Planning & Development (2)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1

Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
General Responsibilities100% perform
2

Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Management & Supervision97% perform
3

Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
General Responsibilities94% perform
4

Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Management & Supervision91% perform
5

Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Transport and accompany clients to shopping areas or to appointments, using automobile.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Explain rules established by owner or management, such as sanitation or maintenance requirements or parking regulations.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Management & Supervision76% perform
10

Observe and discuss meal preparation and suggest alternate methods of food preparation.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
  • 37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Social and Human Service Assistants

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Social and Human Service Assistants professionals typically have a SCE Holland code and highly value relationships

SSocial
CConventional
EEnterprising

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Social and Human Service Assistants

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.77

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.62

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.50

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.50

Stress Tolerance

Very Important

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.48

Adaptability/Flexibility

Very Important

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.36

Complete Work Styles Profile

Integrity
4.8
Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
4.5
Concern for Others
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Social Orientation
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.2
Independence
4.1

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

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