Employment of social and human service assistants is projected to grow 11 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is projected due to a growing elderly population and rising demand for healthcare and social services.
The number of individuals who have access to health insurance is expected to continue to increase because of federal health insurance reform. An increase in the number of older adults is expected to result in growing demand for social services. The elderly population often needs services such as delivery of meals and adult daycare. Social and human service assistants, who help find and provide these services, will be needed to meet this increased demand.
In addition, growth is expected as more people seek treatment for their addictions and more drug offenders are sent to treatment programs rather than to jail. These phenomena should increase demand for social and human service assistants who work in treatment programs or work with people with addictions.
Social and human service assistants will continue to be needed to work in group homes, which are residences where individuals with particular needs can live and receive treatment. For example, there are group homes specifically for women or children of domestic abuse.
There also will be continued demand for child and family social and human service assistants. These workers will be needed to help others, such as social workers, investigate child abuse cases, as well as to place children in foster care and with adoptive families.
Job Prospects
Job prospects will be good overall but will be best for those with a degree in healthcare from an accredited college. Low pay and heavy workloads cause many workers to leave this occupation, creating opportunities for new workers entering the field.
Social and Human Service Assistants
Percent change in employment, projected 2014-24
Counselors, social workers, and other community and social service specialists
12%
Social and human service assistants
11%
Total, all occupations
7%
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program