Human service assistants are also known as casework aides, family service assistants and human services workers. They work under the supervision of social service professionals such as social workers and counselors. Assistants help assess problems for clients, develop treatments and monitor clients. Their salaries usually depend on the agencies that employ them.
Human service assistants are considered part of the community and social service occupations that help individuals deal with life’s problems. This job category includes counselors, social workers and clergy. Assistants made up the largest numbers in that category and also received the lowest average salaries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of May 2011, mean wages for human service assistants ran $14.77 per hour or $30,710 per year. The lowest-earning 10 percent made $9.22 per hour or $19,180 per year, while the best-paid 10 percent received $21.98 per hour or $45,710 per year.
People considering a career in human service assistants should have compassion for others, the ability to work well with people, time-management and organization skills, and good verbal and written communication skills. A high school diploma or GED are all that is usually required for entry into the job. However, many employers prefer candidates with relevant work experience, or with certificates and associate’s degrees in human services or social sciences. If you seek an assistant's job that involves counseling or rehabilitation, you might need a bachelor’s or master’s degree. These higher degrees are also needed if you who want to advance in the job to become a counselor or social worker. Those with lower credentials typically receive training on-the-job.
The biggest employers of human service assistants are individual and family services organizations. Workers in this category earned median pay of $14.14 per hour or $29,410 per year. Government organizations offered the next highest number of jobs. State government agencies paid a mean $17.03 per hour or $35,420 per year, while local governments paid a mean $16.97 per hour or $35,310 per year. Topping the pay list were insurance agencies and brokerages at a mean $23.75 per hour or $49,400 per year. They were followed by federal government agencies at a mean $21.14 per hour or $43,970 per year.
Jobs for human service assistants are expected to grow by 28 percent from 2010 to 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is higher than the 24 percent expected for all community and social service occupations and also well above the 14 percent projected growth for all occupations. An aging population will drive most of the demand. The elderly require more social services such as adult day care, meal delivery and health resources. In addition, those convicted of drug offenses are more likely to be sent to treatment programs rather than jail, increasing the need for assistants to work with them. Entry-level workers should find it easy to locate new jobs. The turnover rate is high because of the low pay and high caseload.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: What Social and Human Service Assistants Do
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: U.S. Wages
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Wages for Social and Human Service Assistants
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Job Outlook for Social and Human Service Assistants
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: How to Become a Social and Human Service Assistant
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