How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do community and social service specialists, all other make?

The US median is $56,730 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

690 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Community and social service specialists, all other: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Community & social service · SOC 21-1099

$56,730US median pay, 2025

+5.5%Projected growth, 2025–35

11,600Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work in: community and social service specialists, all other

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Human Services, General	CIP 44.0000	409
Behavioral Sciences	CIP 30.1701	106
Pastoral Studies/Counseling	CIP 39.0701	106
Community Organization and Advocacy	CIP 44.0201	103
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other	CIP 39.0799	55
Early Childhood and Family Studies	CIP 19.0711	13
Developmental Services Worker	CIP 19.0710	10
Parent Education Services	CIP 19.0712	2
Contemplative Studies/Inquiry	CIP 30.2502	2

See the 690 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do community and social service specialists, all other make?: The US median is $56,730 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 690 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Community & social service

Social and human service assistants · Child, family, and school social workers · Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors · Clergy · Healthcare social workers · Directors, religious activities and education · Mental health and substance abuse social workers · Religious workers, all other