Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Social and Human Service Assistant The duties of social and human service assistants are often determined by their level of
Education
. 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. Some employers may require a criminal background check. Social and human service assistants also may need a valid driver’s license. Education A high school diploma is typically required for entry-level jobs. Some employers may require or prefer that workers have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field, such as social science, psychology, or public policy and social services. Human service degree programs train students to observe and interview patients, carry out treatment plans, and handle people who are undergoing a crisis. Many programs include fieldwork to give students hands-on experience. Training Social and human service assistants usually receive training on the job. Because workers may deal with multiple clients from a variety of backgrounds, on-the-job training in case management helps prepare them to respond appropriately to the different needs of their clients. Advancement For social and human service assistants, additional education is typically needed for advancement. Advancement to case management or social work jobs requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, social work, or a related field.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of social and human service assistants is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 48,900 openings for social and human service assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment A growing population of older people and rising demand for social services are expected to drive demand for these workers. An increase in the number of older adults is expected to result in growing demand for the social services they use, including home-delivered meals and community center activities. Because social and human service assistants often arrange and provide these services, more of these workers will be needed to meet the increased demand. In addition, employment growth is expected as more people with substance use disorders enroll in treatment programs rather than being sent to jail. As a result, demand should increase for social and human service assistants who work in treatment programs or who work with people with addictions. Social and Human Service Assistants Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists 8% Social and human service assistants 7% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Social and Human Service Assistants Do
Social and human service assistants provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other workers, such as social workers, and they help clients find benefits or community services.
Duties
Social and human service assistants typically do the following:
- Help determine what type of aid their clients need
- Work with clients and other professionals, such as social workers, to develop a treatment plan
- Help clients find assistance with daily activities, such as eating and bathing
- Research services, such as food assistance programs and Medicaid, that are available to clients
- Coordinate services provided to clients
- Help clients to complete paperwork to apply for assistance programs
- Check in with clients to ensure that services are provided appropriately
Social and human service assistants have many job titles, including case work aide, clinical social work aide, family service assistant, social work assistant, addictions counselor assistant, and human service worker.
Social and human service assistants help clients identify and obtain benefits and services. In addition to initially connecting clients with benefits or services, social and human service assistants may follow up with clients to ensure that they are receiving the intended services and that the services are meeting their needs. They work under the direction of social workers, psychologists, or other community and social service workers.
With children and families, social and human service assistants ensure that children live in safe homes. They help parents get needed resources for their children, such as food assistance or childcare.
With the elderly, these workers help clients stay in their own homes and live independently whenever possible. Social and human service assistants may coordinate meal deliveries or find personal care aides to help with the clients’ day-to-day needs, such as running errands and bathing. In some cases, they might help look for residential care facilities, such as nursing homes.
For people with disabilities, social and human service assistants help find rehabilitation services that aid their clients. They may work with employers to make a job more accessible to people with disabilities. Some workers find personal care services to help clients with daily living activities, such as bathing and making meals.
For people with addictions, social and human service assistants find rehabilitation centers that meet their clients’ needs. They also may find support groups for people who are dependent on alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other substances or behaviors.
With veterans, assistants help people who have been discharged from the military adjust to civilian life. They help with practical needs, such as locating housing and finding ways to apply skills gained in the military to civilian jobs. They also may help their clients navigate the services available to veterans.
For people with mental illnesses, social and human service assistants help clients find the appropriate resources to help them cope with their illness. They find self-help and support groups to provide their clients with an assistance network. In addition, they may find personal care services or group housing to help those with more severe mental illnesses care for themselves.
With immigrants, workers help clients adjust to living in a new country. They help the clients locate jobs and housing. They also may help them find programs that teach English, or they may find legal assistance to help them get administrative paperwork in order.
With former prison inmates, social and human service assistants find job training or placement programs to help clients reenter society. They help former inmates find housing and connect with programs that help them start a new life for themselves.
With homeless people, social and human service assistants help clients meet their basic needs. They find temporary or permanent housing for their clients and locate places, such as soup kitchens, that provide meals. They also help homeless people find resources to address other problems they may have, such as joblessness.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Social and human service assistants held about 463,400 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of social and human service assistants were as follows:
| Individual and family services | 28% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 11 |
| Community food and housing, emergency and other relief services, and vocational rehabilitation services | 10 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 10 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 10 |
Social and human service assistants work in offices, clinics, hospitals, group homes, and shelters. Some travel around their communities to see clients.
Work Schedules
Most social and human service assistants work full time. Some may work evenings and weekends.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Adaptability. Social and human service assistants must be flexible and able to adjust their approach based on changing circumstances and clients’ needs. Communication skills. Social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help. These workers must be able to listen to their clients and to communicate the clients’ needs to organizations that can help them. Customer-service skills. Social and human service assistants spend much of their time interacting with clients and other service providers. They offer information and assistance and potentially deal with difficult situations. Interpersonal skills. Social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues. They must be compassionate and patient when assisting people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations. Assistants also build relationships with other service providers to become familiar with the resources available in their communities. Organizational skills. Social and human service assistants often must complete paperwork and work with many different clients. They must be organized to ensure that the paperwork is filed properly and that clients are getting the help they need. Problem-solving skills. Social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems. They must be able to listen carefully to their clients’ needs and offer practical solutions.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about social and human service assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.