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Social Services Professionals

Social services professionals provide counseling, support, and advocacy services to help individuals, families, and communities address mental health challenges, substance abuse issues, educational needs, and social problems. These professionals work in diverse settings including schools, hospitals, community centers, rehabilitation facilities, and government agencies to promote well-being and positive life changes. They maintain detailed records, develop treatment plans, and connect clients with resources while ensuring confidentiality and professional standards.

Median Annual Pay
$55,037
Range: $30,720 - $107,920
Training Time
2 to 4 years
AI Resilience
🟒AI-Resilient
Education
Associate's degree

🎬Career Video

πŸ€–AI Resilience Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 3/6: high AI task exposure, strong human advantage means AI will assist but humans remain essential

🟑AI-Augmented

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

53% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Stable+1

+5% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Strong+2

EPOCH score: 22/25

Total Score3/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

πŸ“‹Key Responsibilities

  • β€’Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
  • β€’Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • β€’Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
  • β€’Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
  • β€’Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
  • β€’Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  • β€’Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
  • β€’Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.

πŸ’‘Inside This Career

Social services professionals begin their days by reviewing case files, checking urgent messages, and preparing for scheduled appointments with clients who may be individuals, families, couples, or groups facing various life challenges. Their mornings often involve conducting assessments, facilitating therapy sessions, or providing crisis intervention support. Whether working in schools, hospitals, community centers, treatment facilities, or private practice, these professionals create safe spaces where people can address issues ranging from addiction and mental health concerns to educational planning and family conflicts. Documentation plays a crucial role throughout the day, as they maintain detailed records of client progress, treatment plans, and service coordination.

The afternoon hours frequently bring collaborative work with other professionalsβ€”consulting with teachers about student needs, coordinating with healthcare teams on patient care, or partnering with legal systems on rehabilitation programs. Many social services professionals also dedicate time to community outreach, leading educational workshops on topics like substance abuse prevention, conducting group counseling sessions, or developing programs that address specific community needs. They regularly connect clients with additional resources, making referrals to other agencies and following up on service delivery.

Administrative responsibilities weave throughout their schedules, including case management coordination, insurance authorization processes, and preparation of reports for supervisors or court systems. Despite the structured nature of appointments and documentation, social services professionals must remain flexible to handle unexpected crises, emergency interventions, or urgent client needs. Their work environment shifts between one-on-one counseling spaces, group meeting rooms, community locations, and occasionally clients' homes, requiring adaptability in both setting and approach while maintaining professional boundaries and ethical standards.

πŸ“ˆCareer Progression

What does this mean?

This shows how earnings typically grow with experience. Entry level represents starting salaries, while Expert shows top earners (90th percentile). Most workers reach mid-career earnings within 5-10 years. Figures are national averages and vary by location and employer.

1
Entry (10th %ile)
0-2 years experience
$30,720
$27,648 - $33,792
2
Early Career (25th %ile)
2-6 years experience
$40,447
$36,402 - $44,492
3
Mid-Career (Median)
5-15 years experience
$55,037
$49,533 - $60,541
4
Experienced (75th %ile)
10-20 years experience
$81,479
$73,331 - $89,627
5
Expert (90th %ile)
15-30 years experience
$107,920
$97,128 - $118,712

πŸ“šEducation & Training

Requirements

  • β€’Entry Education: Associate's degree
  • β€’Experience: Several years
  • β€’On-the-job Training: Several years
  • !License or certification required

Time & Cost

Education Duration
2-3 years (typically 2)
Estimated Education Cost
$7,581 - $22,059
Public (in-state):$22,059
Community college:$7,581
Source: college board (2024)
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πŸ’»Technology Skills

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⭐Key Abilities

β€’Oral Expression
β€’Problem Sensitivity
β€’Speech Clarity
β€’Oral Comprehension
β€’Written Comprehension
β€’Written Expression
β€’Deductive Reasoning
β€’Inductive Reasoning
β€’Speech Recognition
β€’Information Ordering

🏷️Also Known As

Social Services ProfessionalsAddiction CounselorAddiction Recovery SpecialistAddiction TherapistAddictions CounselorAlcohol and Drug CounselorAlcoholic CounselorAlcoholism and Substance Abuse CounselorAssessment SpecialistBehavior Technician (Behavior Tech)+20 more

πŸ“‘Specializations

This career includes 15 specialized roles with different focuses and compensation levels.

πŸ”—Related Careers

Other careers in social-services

πŸ”—Data Sources

Last updated: 2026-01-09

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