Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Social and human service assistants (SOC 21-1093) employed 437,860 people in May 2025. The median pay is $45,930 a year ($22.08 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $34,200 and the highest-paid 10% more than $63,290. BLS projects its employment to change by +7.4% between 2025 and 2035 (about 48,900 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($59,460), Washington ($54,770), Oregon ($51,230). Most jobs: California (58,730), New York (40,970), Pennsylvania (24,340).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| 25th percentile | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Median | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Mean | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| 75th percentile | $54,350 | $26.13 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $63,290 | $30.43 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 463,400 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 497,600 |
| Change in jobs | 34,200 |
| Percent change | +7.4% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 48,900 |
| Self-employed share | 0.2% |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Short-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3,370 | 0.57 | $35,830 | $24,170 | $52,100 | -22% | 36% |
| Alaska | 1,370 | 1.50 | $47,360 | $37,440 | $78,850 | +3% | 37% |
| Arizona | 7,290 | 0.80 | $40,730 | $35,630 | $49,950 | -11% | 49% |
| Arkansas | 3,530 | 0.96 | $36,770 | $25,880 | $49,660 | -20% | 32% |
| California | 58,730 | 1.15 | $51,090 | $39,040 | $74,250 | +11% | 49% |
| Colorado | 5,410 | 0.67 | $47,690 | $38,440 | $65,450 | +4% | 46% |
| Connecticut | 9,930 | 2.08 | $44,730 | $36,890 | $60,980 | -3% | 42% |
| Delaware | 1,050 | 0.77 | $40,710 | $33,080 | $49,420 | -11% | 45% |
| District of Columbia | 2,080 | 1.05 | $59,460 | $40,930 | $86,090 | +29% | 39% |
| Florida | 22,670 | 0.81 | $44,410 | $34,180 | $59,460 | -3% | 49% |
| Georgia | 7,410 | 0.54 | $39,480 | $29,030 | $58,050 | -14% | 46% |
| Hawaii | 2,230 | 1.26 | $42,400 | $36,530 | $58,030 | -8% | 55% |
| Idaho | 3,810 | 1.58 | $47,540 | $37,450 | $60,470 | +4% | 35% |
| Illinois | 22,220 | 1.29 | $46,950 | $35,030 | $72,780 | +2% | 34% |
| Indiana | 11,740 | 1.30 | $44,550 | $31,200 | $58,640 | -3% | 30% |
| Iowa | 5,230 | 1.19 | $42,480 | $33,060 | $60,780 | -8% | 28% |
| Kansas | 6,070 | 1.50 | $42,570 | $34,330 | $55,580 | -7% | 30% |
| Kentucky | 4,670 | 0.83 | $37,440 | $27,540 | $55,530 | -18% | 32% |
| Louisiana | 3,440 | 0.63 | $35,780 | $27,060 | $49,810 | -22% | 36% |
| Maine | 4,580 | 2.54 | $47,710 | $39,770 | $60,050 | +4% | 30% |
| Maryland | 7,280 | 0.94 | $47,210 | $36,990 | $68,890 | +3% | 44% |
| Massachusetts | 9,180 | 0.90 | $47,130 | $39,440 | $63,670 | +3% | 47% |
| Michigan | 12,450 | 1.00 | $39,160 | $30,780 | $57,100 | -15% | 36% |
| Minnesota | 11,110 | 1.34 | $49,940 | $38,490 | $64,560 | +9% | 31% |
| Missouri | 6,200 | 0.75 | $41,780 | $31,730 | $50,710 | -9% | 31% |
| Montana | 1,200 | 0.83 | $38,570 | $29,840 | $50,620 | -16% | 37% |
| Nebraska | 1,460 | 0.51 | $38,940 | $31,010 | $46,640 | -15% | 34% |
| Nevada | 2,420 | 0.55 | $38,570 | $30,940 | $56,470 | -16% | 53% |
| New Hampshire | 1,860 | 0.97 | $46,950 | $37,700 | $58,210 | +2% | 40% |
| New Jersey | 17,270 | 1.43 | $48,420 | $34,340 | $72,800 | +5% | 45% |
| New Mexico | 3,050 | 1.24 | $46,340 | $32,820 | $63,650 | +1% | 29% |
| New York | 40,970 | 1.50 | $47,190 | $35,980 | $64,430 | +3% | 42% |
| North Carolina | 9,020 | 0.65 | $42,850 | $30,620 | $59,570 | -7% | 37% |
| North Dakota | 1,530 | 1.26 | $46,260 | $37,270 | $66,170 | +1% | 25% |
| Ohio | 10,970 | 0.70 | $38,390 | $30,250 | $52,570 | -16% | 34% |
| Oklahoma | 3,340 | 0.69 | $36,740 | $27,490 | $54,320 | -20% | 34% |
| Oregon | 11,260 | 2.03 | $51,230 | $39,860 | $67,170 | +12% | 37% |
| Pennsylvania | 24,340 | 1.43 | $44,050 | $34,520 | $58,700 | -4% | 34% |
| Rhode Island | 2,290 | 1.62 | $47,720 | $36,580 | $71,270 | +4% | 36% |
| South Carolina | 5,220 | 0.80 | $38,550 | $30,270 | $58,120 | -16% | 40% |
| South Dakota | 830 | 0.64 | $38,350 | $29,850 | $48,120 | -17% | 31% |
| Tennessee | 4,380 | 0.47 | $40,310 | $30,280 | $52,190 | -12% | 38% |
| Texas | 21,620 | 0.55 | $45,860 | $31,350 | $60,460 | -0% | 39% |
| Utah | 6,540 | 1.34 | $39,930 | $33,790 | $55,840 | -13% | 48% |
| Vermont | 1,920 | 2.24 | $46,640 | $38,760 | $55,380 | +2% | 34% |
| Virginia | 10,670 | 0.92 | $43,450 | $32,840 | $60,500 | -5% | 45% |
| Washington | 7,590 | 0.76 | $54,770 | $43,180 | $72,770 | +19% | 40% |
| West Virginia | 3,320 | 1.68 | $39,290 | $29,690 | $52,510 | -14% | 27% |
| Wisconsin | 7,750 | 0.94 | $47,500 | $34,990 | $71,390 | +3% | 29% |
| Wyoming | 610 | 0.77 | $45,290 | $34,280 | $61,080 | -1% | 26% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WI | 390 | $63,870 | $35,430 | $74,730 | 1.61 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,930 | $60,650 | $42,250 | $84,430 | 0.61 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 790 | $58,580 | $41,980 | $95,820 | 1.36 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,910 | $58,090 | $46,600 | $75,560 | 0.67 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 7,970 | $57,580 | $41,860 | $81,080 | 1.19 |
| Salem, OR | 1,200 | $57,560 | $41,820 | $67,170 | 2.27 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 600 | $56,120 | $38,200 | $67,510 | 1.69 |
| Modesto, CA | 710 | $55,330 | $39,310 | $72,550 | 1.29 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 710 | $55,160 | $43,010 | $81,880 | 1.26 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 330 | $54,960 | $38,720 | $87,970 | 0.97 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 390 | $54,870 | $43,140 | $74,540 | 1.39 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 3,190 | $53,810 | $39,180 | $75,060 | 1.05 |
| Ithaca, NY | 310 | $53,550 | $38,360 | $70,230 | 2.30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 940 | $52,180 | $41,940 | $80,720 | 1.04 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 5,930 | $51,710 | $42,310 | $64,750 | 1.74 |
| Springfield, IL | 600 | $51,680 | $34,490 | $88,790 | 2.11 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 1,370 | $51,370 | $36,080 | $79,390 | 2.02 |
| Vallejo, CA | 480 | $50,650 | $40,810 | $74,950 | 1.18 |
| Salinas, CA | 550 | $50,630 | $40,910 | $89,810 | 1.04 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 18,790 | $50,330 | $38,380 | $70,900 | 1.06 |
| Visalia, CA | 530 | $50,300 | $34,320 | $74,050 | 1.11 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 580 | $49,840 | $42,060 | $57,050 | 1.70 |
| Green Bay, WI | 490 | $49,750 | $34,990 | $65,980 | 1.00 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 7,160 | $49,750 | $38,710 | $64,370 | 1.30 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 2,500 | $49,700 | $40,650 | $68,450 | 0.55 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 370 | $49,610 | $35,090 | $66,390 | 0.87 |
| Bend, OR | 480 | $49,520 | $39,400 | $64,130 | 1.58 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 6,400 | $49,500 | $39,860 | $71,040 | 1.48 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 900 | $49,260 | $37,960 | $67,170 | 2.02 |
| Yakima, WA | 350 | $49,160 | $40,320 | $65,310 | 1.28 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 2,470 | $49,150 | $37,280 | $60,160 | 0.68 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 1,830 | $49,110 | $43,580 | $62,920 | 2.25 |
| Medford, OR | 500 | $49,090 | $38,000 | $67,170 | 2.01 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 810 | $49,070 | $40,400 | $74,640 | 0.99 |
| Chico, CA | 380 | $48,890 | $39,650 | $59,810 | 1.73 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 860 | $48,820 | $39,880 | $63,030 | 1.19 |
| Redding, CA | 390 | $48,530 | $36,220 | $59,010 | 1.95 |
| Vineland, NJ | 360 | $48,520 | $32,220 | $64,300 | 2.08 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 3,230 | $48,420 | $37,680 | $68,890 | 0.84 |
| Merced, CA | 300 | $48,410 | $37,340 | $60,220 | 1.33 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 5,100 | $48,370 | $39,770 | $71,680 | 1.06 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 7,790 | $48,370 | $37,780 | $73,250 | 0.88 |
| Rochester, MN | 350 | $48,300 | $41,550 | $64,490 | 1.00 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 1,920 | $48,280 | $42,160 | $71,620 | 2.01 |
| Wilmington, NC | 440 | $48,280 | $34,070 | $59,580 | 0.81 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 450 | $48,110 | $38,820 | $60,490 | 3.35 |
| Boise City, ID | 1,630 | $48,090 | $38,420 | $61,710 | 1.47 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 35,540 | $47,860 | $36,070 | $67,420 | 1.33 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 1,270 | $47,760 | $35,180 | $66,620 | 1.67 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 6,090 | $47,530 | $39,780 | $63,100 | 0.80 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 3,000 | $47,440 | $36,580 | $69,990 | 1.49 |
| Syracuse, NY | 2,390 | $47,330 | $36,770 | $59,210 | 2.83 |
| Kingston, NY | 470 | $47,290 | $34,840 | $66,620 | 2.82 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,960 | $47,260 | $37,680 | $60,600 | 1.46 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 16,080 | $47,180 | $36,020 | $69,590 | 1.26 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | 630 | $46,960 | $38,690 | $63,080 | 1.52 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 4,140 | $46,850 | $31,530 | $61,310 | 0.36 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | 640 | $46,800 | $37,700 | $58,210 | 1.14 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 480 | $46,710 | $37,680 | $59,180 | 2.10 |
| Madison, WI | 970 | $46,650 | $36,140 | $71,590 | 0.84 |
The median is $45,930 a year ($22.08 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $34,200 and the highest-paid tenth over $63,290 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
437,860 in May 2025, and BLS projects +7.4% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $59,460 (among states with published figures).