BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Social and Human Service Assistants in California

$55,100 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$26.49 per hour

▲ 15.5% above U.S. average3rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$55,100per year
Median$51,090per year
Hourly$26.49per hour
10th – 90th percentile$39,040 – $74,250per year

Social and Human Service Assistants Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,040
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$46,110
  • 50th Percentile — Median$51,090
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$61,450
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$74,250

Half of Social and Human Service Assistants in California earn more than $51,090. The top 10% make $74,250 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,040.

Social and Human Service Assistants in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 3rd of 51 states for Social and Human Service Assistants pay, at $55,100 per year (15.5% above the U.S. average of $47,690).
  • 58,730 people work as Social and Human Service Assistants in California — 13.4% of all U.S. Social and Human Service Assistants jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.15: Social and Human Service Assistants jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,040; the top 10% earn over $74,250.
  • Hourly equivalent: $26.49 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $60,770.
  • Among social services jobs in California, Healthcare Social Workers pays the most ($93,840).

Social and Human Service Assistants Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Social and Human Service Assistants here earn $55,100 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $55,100 is roughly equivalent to $38,803 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($60,770), Washington ($55,900), Oregon ($52,980) are the closest alternatives for Social and Human Service Assistants weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Social and Human Service Assistants salary in California?

The average Social and Human Service Assistants salary in California is $55,100 per year (median $51,090), which is 15.5% above the national average of $47,690.

How does California rank for Social and Human Service Assistants pay?

California ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($60,770/yr).

How much do entry-level Social and Human Service Assistants make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Social and Human Service Assistants in California earn about $39,040 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,110.

How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make per hour in California?

About $26.49 per hour, based on the $55,100 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Social and Human Service Assistants work in California?

BLS counts 58,730 Social and Human Service Assistants jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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