How long does the training take?

Typically no schooling after high school, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do social and human service assistants make?

The US median is $45,930 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?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train for this work?

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

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Social and human service assistants: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Community & social service · SOC 21-1093

$45,930US median pay, 2025

+7.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

48,900Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Short-term on-the-job training
Work in: social and human service assistants

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
Developmental Services Worker	CIP 19.0710	10

See the 415 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do social and human service assistants make?: The US median is $45,930 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?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train for this work?: 415 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.

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