Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Community and social service specialists, all other, work in roles that support individuals and communities through a wide range of services and programs. With national employment of 119,000 workers, this field represents a sizable professional community. The national median annual salary of $54,940 places this career in a moderate earning range, with higher pay available in some states and metro areas. Projected employment growth of 4.6% and 13,000 annual openings suggest ongoing demand for new entrants and opportunities for movement within the field. A bachelor’s degree is the typical education requirement, making this an accessible option for many students and career changers planning a four-year program. Strong interpersonal, communication, problem solving, and critical thinking skills are central to this path, supported by customer service, leadership, and technology skills. For those interested in related options, similar occupations include counselors, several types of social workers, and substance abuse and mental health counselors.
The national median annual salary for community and social service specialists, all other, is $54,940, with notable variation by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York reports a median salary of $66,580 and Washington $64,340, both above the national median. California’s median of $58,770 and Massachusetts’ $57,360 also exceed the national figure, while Colorado’s $55,490 is closer to the national median. At the metro level, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows a median salary of $68,390, the highest among the listed metros. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro reports $66,580, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $62,720. These data suggest that certain states and large metro areas may offer stronger earning potential than the national median, giving job seekers options to target higher-paying regions if relocation or regional job search is feasible.
Community and social service specialists, all other, have national employment of 119,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 4.6%. This projected growth indicates that overall employment in this occupation is expected to expand over time. With 13,000 annual openings, there appears to be a steady flow of opportunities, which may come from a mix of new positions and turnover. The same 4.6% growth rate is reflected in the top states and metro areas by opportunity score, suggesting a consistent growth outlook across many regions highlighted in the data. For career planners, these figures point to a field that is not static: there is ongoing hiring activity and an expectation of increased employment over the projection period. Individuals considering this path can factor both the size of the current workforce and the projected growth into their long-term planning and job search strategies.
Location can significantly shape the experience of community and social service specialists, all other, in terms of pay levels, job counts, and overall opportunity scores. Among states, California and New York stand out with both relatively high employment (16,250 and 15,300 respectively) and strong opportunity scores (67.38 and 65.78). New York’s median salary of $66,580 and Washington’s $64,340 are higher than the national median, while California and Massachusetts also exceed it. Colorado shows a more moderate median salary but still appears among the top states by opportunity score. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, with solid employment levels and median salaries above the national figure. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro salary at $68,390. These differences give workers options to prioritize higher salaries, larger job markets, or overall opportunity scores when choosing where to focus their search.
For community and social service specialists, all other, a bachelor’s degree is the typical education requirement. This makes the field accessible to individuals planning or completing four-year college programs. Education for this path can be supported by developing a broad set of core skills. Interpersonal skills, customer service, and speaking and listening abilities are central to interacting effectively with clients, colleagues, and community partners. Writing and reading skills support clear communication and documentation. Problem solving, decision making, critical and analytical thinking help specialists evaluate situations and determine appropriate actions. Creativity and innovation can support new approaches and solutions, while leadership skills are useful for coordinating efforts or guiding initiatives. Competence with computers and information technology underpins modern professional communication and data handling. Together, these skills align well with bachelor’s-level preparation and can be strengthened through academic projects, volunteer work, and early career roles.
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