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Salary comparison

Health Education Specialists vs. Social and Human Service Assistants: Who Earns More?

Health Education Specialistss out-earn Social and Human Service Assistantss by $18K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Health Education Specialistss land at $64,070 and Social and Human Service Assistantss at $45,930. The education gap is real: health education specialist programs typically require master's degree, while social and human service assistant programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Health Education Specialistss is Maryland ($104,470); for Social and Human Service Assistantss it's District of Columbia ($59,460).

Health Education Specialists
Social and Human Service Assistants
Median salary
$64,070
$45,930
Hourly rate
$30.8/hr
$22.08/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$42,990
$34,200
Senior level (90th %)
$118,200
$63,290
Education required
Master's degree
Master's degree
U.S. employment
65,690
437,860
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Community & Social
Community & Social
Top-paying state
Maryland
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Health Education Specialists median pay.

State
Health Education Specialists
Social and Human Service Assistants
Maryland
$104,470
$47,210
District of Columbia
$103,330
$59,460
Minnesota
$78,400
$49,940
Washington
$77,420
$54,770
Oregon
$75,500
$51,230
Rhode Island
$75,360
$47,720
Colorado
$74,150
$47,690
Wisconsin
$74,040
$47,500
New Jersey
$73,740
$48,420
Alaska
$71,940
$47,360
California
$63,610
$51,090
New York
$62,560
$47,190
Idaho
$61,330
$47,540
Maine
$58,300
$47,710
Massachusetts
$57,510
$47,130

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Health Education Specialistss or Social and Human Service Assistantss?

Health Education Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $64,070 for Health Education Specialistss versus $45,930 for Social and Human Service Assistantss, a difference of $18K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Health Education Specialists or Social and Human Service Assistants?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Health Education Specialists or Social and Human Service Assistants?

Health Education Specialists typically requires master's degree. Social and Human Service Assistants requires master's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Health Education Specialistss get paid the most?

Maryland is the top-paying state for Health Education Specialistss at $104,470/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Health Education Specialists vs. Social and Human Service Assistants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maryland, Health Education Specialistss earn $104,470 vs. $47,210 for Social and Human Service Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Health Education Specialists salary breakdownView →Full Social and Human Service Assistants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Health Education Specialistss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Social and Human Service Assistantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a health education specialistsGuide →How to become a social and human service assistantsGuide →