Job Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow 12 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations, adding about 348,600 jobs. Most projected new jobs in this occupational group are in counselor and social worker occupations, as their services will continue to be needed in areas such as drug abuse counseling and rehabilitation counseling, and also for school and career counseling. In addition to counselors and social workers, this group includes religious workers.
Pay
According to BLS, the median annual wage for community and social service occupations was $47,520 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
Occupations within community services may include:
- Health educators and community health workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Probation Officers
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- School and Career Counselors
- Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
As stated above, it is expected that employment will continue to grow in this area as it is a people occupation.