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Employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 12 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 348,600 jobs. Most projected new jobs in this occupational group are in counselor and social worker occupations, as their services will continue to be needed in areas such as drug abuse counseling and rehabilitation counseling, and also for school and career counseling. In addition to counselors and social workers, this group includes religious workers.

The median annual wage for community and social service occupations was $47,520 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.

BLS provides summary data, including employment projections, for community and social service occupations not shown in the table on this page. That information is available on the Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail page.

  OCCUPATION JOB SUMMARY ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2020 MEDIAN PAY Help
Health educators Health Education Specialists and Community Health Workers

Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being. Community health workers promote wellness by helping people adopt healthy behaviors.

 See How to Become One $48,140
Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and family therapists help people manage and overcome problems with family and other relationships.

 Master's degree $51,340
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole.

 Bachelor's degree $55,690
Rehabilitation counselors Rehabilitation Counselors

Rehabilitation counselors help people with physical, mental, developmental, or emotional disabilities live independently.

 Master's degree $37,530
School and Career Counselors School and Career Counselors and Advisors

School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment.

 Master's degree $58,120
Social and human service assistants Social and Human Service Assistants

Social and human service assistants provide client services in a variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work.

 High school diploma or equivalent $35,960
Social workers Social Workers

Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives.

 See How to Become One $51,760
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors provide treatment and advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, or other mental or behavioral problems.

 Bachelor's degree $47,660

Last Modified Date: Friday, May 14, 2021