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Salary comparison

Healthcare Social Workers vs. Social and Human Service Assistants: Who Earns More?

Healthcare Social Workerss out-earn Social and Human Service Assistantss by $22K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Healthcare Social Workerss land at $67,880 and Social and Human Service Assistantss at $45,930. The education gap is real: healthcare social worker programs typically require master's degree, while social and human service assistant programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Healthcare Social Workerss is District of Columbia ($94,100); for Social and Human Service Assistantss it's District of Columbia ($59,460).

Healthcare Social Workers
Social and Human Service Assistants
Median salary
$67,880
$45,930
Hourly rate
$32.63/hr
$22.08/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$46,220
$34,200
Senior level (90th %)
$100,360
$63,290
Education required
Master's degree
Master's degree
U.S. employment
187,630
437,860
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Community & Social
Community & Social
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Healthcare Social Workers median pay.

State
Healthcare Social Workers
Social and Human Service Assistants
District of Columbia
$94,100
$59,460
California
$89,660
$51,090
Oregon
$84,350
$51,230
New Jersey
$82,690
$48,420
Washington
$78,570
$54,770
Maryland
$76,440
$47,210
Massachusetts
$76,440
$47,130
Rhode Island
$75,390
$47,720
Idaho
$74,500
$47,540
Minnesota
$73,970
$49,940
New York
$73,070
$47,190
Maine
$71,610
$47,710
Wisconsin
$66,910
$47,500
Colorado
$63,480
$47,690
Alaska
$62,000
$47,360

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Healthcare Social Workerss or Social and Human Service Assistantss?

Healthcare Social Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $67,880 for Healthcare Social Workerss versus $45,930 for Social and Human Service Assistantss, a difference of $22K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Healthcare Social Workers 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, Healthcare Social Workers or Social and Human Service Assistants?

Healthcare Social Workers 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 Healthcare Social Workerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Healthcare Social Workerss at $94,100/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Healthcare Social Workers vs. Social and Human Service Assistants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Healthcare Social Workerss earn $94,100 vs. $59,460 for Social and Human Service Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Healthcare Social Workers salary breakdownView →Full Social and Human Service Assistants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Healthcare Social Workerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Social and Human Service Assistantss by take-home payExplore →How to become a healthcare social workersGuide →How to become a social and human service assistantsGuide →