SOC 21-1099.00Bright outlook

    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

    All community and social service specialists not listed separately.

    Median pay
    $56,730
    Growth
    +5.5%
    Faster than average
    Openings a year
    11,600
    Typical education
    Bachelor's degree

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $37,310
    Median
    $56,730
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $84,210
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    107,730 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Community and social service specialists assist individuals and groups through advocacy, counseling, and case management. This career offers a median annual pay of $56,730, with opportunities available across various community and social service roles.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What community and social service specialists, all other do

    All community and social service specialists not listed separately.

    What the work is like

    People in this career field perform a variety of community and social service duties that are not categorized under other specific titles. Depending on their exact role, they may work as activists, case managers, case investigators, or community center workers. Their day-to-day activities focus on helping individuals navigate social systems, coordinating support services, and advocating for community needs.

    Succeeding in this work requires strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and a deep understanding of human behavior and social systems. These specialists must be organized and empathetic as they manage cases, review client progress, and coordinate with local organizations. They often serve as a vital link between vulnerable populations and the resources or counseling services they need.

    How to get there

    To enter this field, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree. Students preparing for this career often major in human services, human development and family studies, behavioral sciences, or community organization and advocacy. Other relevant fields of study include cognitive science, pastoral counseling, and specialized ministries.

    While a degree is the standard entry requirement, credentialing requirements can vary depending on where you plan to work. Some states list specific licensing requirements for these specialists, so candidates should check the regulations in their local area.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for these community and social service specialists was $56,730. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location; the lowest 10 percent of workers earn less than $37,310, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $84,210.

    There are 107,730 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 5.5 percent, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 11,600 job openings each year.

    Also called

    Activist · Business Representative · Case Investigator · Case Manager · Case Reviewer · Case Supervisor · Case Worker · Children's Counselor · Community Center Worker · Community Chest Officer

    Career pathway

    From your interests to community and social service specialists, all other

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. This career

      • Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$56,730 median pay
    2. Majors

    3. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Carnegie Mellon University logo
      Carnegie Mellon University

      Pittsburgh, PA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $162,106
      Median debt
      Not reported
    2. 2Stanford University logo
      Stanford University

      Stanford, CA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $105,925
      4 yrs after
      $131,650
      Median debt
      $8,420
    3. 3Tufts University logo
      Tufts University

      Medford, MA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $92,588
      4 yrs after
      $130,801
      Median debt
      $18,250
    4. 4University of California-Berkeley CAL logo
      University of California-Berkeley CAL

      Berkeley, CA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $62,757
      4 yrs after
      $120,193
      Median debt
      $13,000
    5. 5University of Pennsylvania UPENN logo
      University of Pennsylvania UPENN

      Philadelphia, PA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $100,507
      4 yrs after
      $109,784
      Median debt
      $15,480
    6. 6University of California-Los Angeles UCLA logo
      University of California-Los Angeles UCLA

      Los Angeles, CA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $54,235
      4 yrs after
      $102,066
      Median debt
      $12,896
    7. 7University of Southern California USC logo
      University of Southern California USC

      Los Angeles, CA · Cognitive Science · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $67,607
      4 yrs after
      $93,440
      Median debt
      $13,000
    8. 8Northwestern University-Illinois logo
      Northwestern University-Illinois

      Evanston, IL · Community Organization and Advocacy · Bachelor's

      1 yr after
      $59,046
      4 yrs after
      $84,712
      Median debt
      $15,746

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What community and social service specialists, all other may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Behavioral Sciences
    • Community Organization and Advocacy
    • Contemplative Studies/Inquiry
    • Developmental Services Worker
    • Early Childhood and Family Studies
    • Human Services, General
    • Parent Education Services
    • Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other
    • Pastoral Studies/Counseling

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    1 state lists a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Questions about community and social service specialists, all other

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What are some common job titles for this career?

    Workers in this field hold many different titles depending on their specific employer. Common titles include case manager, case investigator, community center worker, activist, children's counselor, and business representative.

    What college majors are recommended for this field?

    Students can prepare for this career by majoring in human services, behavioral sciences, or human development and family studies. Other applicable majors include community organization and advocacy, cognitive science, and pastoral counseling.

    Do I need a license to work in this occupation?

    Licensing requirements depend on your location. While a bachelor's degree is the typical entry requirement, some states do list specific licensing guidelines for these social service roles.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 6, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.