Career Explorer Community and social care
Grows with AI
Social and human service assistants
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 78% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is moderate (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it high), and US jobs are projected to change by +7.4% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and creative vision.
AI can help with many of the tasks, and demand is still growing. Being fluent with AI is the edge here.
- Median pay (2025)
- $45,930
- Job growth to 2035
- +7.4%
- Openings a year
- 48,900
- People doing it (2025)
- 463,000
- Usual route in
- High school diploma, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Present research or technical information
- Assist others to access additional services or resources
- Provide information or assistance to the public
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Examine people or animals to assess health conditions or physical characteristics
- Administer diagnostic tests to assess patient health
- Develop patient or client care or treatment plans
What the work looks like
- Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
- Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
- Oversee day-to-day group activities of residents in institution.
- Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Community health workersGrows with AI, Index 80, +12.7%
- Recreation workersHuman edge, growing, Index 87, +4.3%
- Psychiatric aidesHuman edge, steady, Index 86, +1.9%
- Psychiatric techniciansHuman edge, growing, Index 95, +22.3%
Also known as: Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Social Work Associate, Social Worker Assistant, Addictions Counselor Assistant, Residential Care Assistant, Social Services Aide, Social Services Assistant.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.