Community Health Worker
Connect neighbors with health care and help them stay healthy.
- $51,850/yr median
- +12.7% growth
- 1–3 months
Career field
Community, Social & Government Services Careers
Help people and communities through counseling, case work, outreach and public service.
Community, social and government service careers help people get through hard times and keep public programs running. They include counselors, social workers, case aides, community health workers, eligibility interviewers, court clerks and planners working for nonprofits, hospitals, schools and government agencies.
Entry points vary widely. Human service assistants and community health workers can start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training, while counselors and clinical social workers need a master’s degree and a state license. Many people start in an assistant role and earn a degree while working.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
17 community and social service careers
Court Clerk
Keep court, city and license records running for the public.
- $48,700/yr median
- +3.4% growth
- 1+ year on the job
Eligibility Interviewer
Interview applicants and decide who qualifies for public benefits.
- $54,210/yr median
- +1.6% growth
- 1–12 months on the job
Fundraiser
Raise money that powers nonprofits, schools and causes.
- $72,550/yr median
- +5.5% growth
- 4 years
Health Educator
Teach people and communities how to live healthier lives.
- $64,070/yr median
- +5.6% growth
- 4 years
Healthcare Social Worker
Help patients and families cope with illness and plan care after the hospital.
- $67,880/yr median
- +8.5% growth
- 6 years (BSW + MSW)
Human Services Assistant
Help clients get food, housing, benefits and support services.
- $45,930/yr median
- +7.4% growth
- 1–4 weeks on the job
Marriage and Family Therapist
Help couples and families improve relationships and work through problems.
- $66,940/yr median
- +13.5% growth
- 6+ years plus supervised hours
Mediator
Help people resolve disputes without going to court.
- $75,530/yr median
- +4.7% growth
- 4 years + under 5 years of experience
Psychiatric Technician
Care for patients with mental illness and developmental disabilities.
- $45,130/yr median
- +22.3% growth
- 1 year or less
Rehabilitation Counselor
Help people with disabilities live independently and find meaningful work.
- $46,850/yr median
- +2.2% growth
- 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)
Residential Advisor
Support people living in group homes, shelters and residence halls.
- $42,240/yr median
- +3.5% growth
- 1–4 weeks
Social and Community Service Manager
Lead programs and teams that serve communities and people in need.
- $80,390/yr median
- +7.2% growth
- 4 years + under 5 years of experience
Social Worker
Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.
- $59,550/yr median
- +4.4% growth
- 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW
Substance Abuse Counselor
Help people recover from addiction and mental health challenges.
- $59,350/yr median
- +18.4% growth
- 1–6 years depending on credential
Tax Examiner
Review tax returns and collect taxes for federal, state and local governments.
- $62,370/yr median
- -1.0% growth
- 4 years + agency training
Urban Planner
Plan how cities and towns grow, from housing and parks to roads and transit.
- $89,320/yr median
- +3.9% growth
- 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)
Compare community and social service careers
| # | Career | Median pay | Growth 2025–35 | Training time | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Planner | $89,320 | +3.9% | 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s) | Master's degree |
| 2 | Social and Community Service Manager | $80,390 | +7.2% | 4 years + under 5 years of experience | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Mediator | $75,530 | +4.7% | 4 years + under 5 years of experience | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Fundraiser | $72,550 | +5.5% | 4 years | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Healthcare Social Worker | $67,880 | +8.5% | 6 years (BSW + MSW) | Master's degree |
| 6 | Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | +13.5% | 6+ years plus supervised hours | Master's degree |
| 7 | Health Educator | $64,070 | +5.6% | 4 years | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Tax Examiner | $62,370 | -1.0% | 4 years + agency training | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Social Worker | $59,550 | +4.4% | 4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Substance Abuse Counselor | $59,350 | +18.4% | 1–6 years depending on credential | Master's degree |
| 11 | Eligibility Interviewer | $54,210 | +1.6% | 1–12 months on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Community Health Worker | $51,850 | +12.7% | 1–3 months | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Court Clerk | $48,700 | +3.4% | 1+ year on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,850 | +2.2% | 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s) | Master's degree |
| 15 | Human Services Assistant | $45,930 | +7.4% | 1–4 weeks on the job | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | +22.3% | 1 year or less | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 17 | Residential Advisor | $42,240 | +3.5% | 1–4 weeks | High school diploma or equivalent |
Getting hired in community and social service
Volunteer with a local nonprofit, crisis line or community program. It builds experience, references and a clear answer to the interview question “why this work?”
What affects pay in this field
- Degree level and state licensure (such as LCSW, LPC or LMFT)
- Employer type (hospitals and government often pay more than small nonprofits)
- Clinical specialization and supervision credentials
- Government pay grades, steps and benefits
Find your fit
Take the Community, Social & Government Services career quiz to see which of these roles matches your interests best.
Community, Social & Government Services careers FAQ
What is the highest-paying community and social service career on this list?
Urban Planner has the highest median pay among our community and social service profiles at $89,320 per year (BLS, May 2025).
Which community and social service career is fastest to start?
Human Services Assistant typically takes about 1–4 weeks on the job of training.
Which community and social service career is growing fastest?
Psychiatric Technician, with projected growth of +22.3% from 2025–35 (much faster than average).
How do I choose the right community and social service career?
Compare day-to-day duties, training time and pay, then take our Community, Social & Government Services career quiz for a personalized match. Reading a day in the life for your top two choices helps a lot.