Where Can I Work With a Degree in Human Services?
A human services degree opens doors across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare settings, schools, and the justice system. Entry-level roles are available with a bachelor’s degree, while a master’s degree qualifies you for supervisory, clinical, and management positions. The federal government also employs human services graduates across dozens of specialized agencies.
If you’re considering human services as a field, the question of where you’ll actually do that work is worth thinking through early. Human services is broad enough that your degree can take you in several directions, and each one involves a different setting, population, and daily reality. The sections below outline where graduates typically land.
Government Agencies
One of the largest employers of human services professionals is the public sector. State and federal agencies run programs that touch nearly every aspect of community life, from food assistance and Medicaid eligibility to aging services and substance abuse treatment. This scope creates a wide range of job titles and career tracks.
At the state level, most human services positions are housed within the Department of Human Services, which administers programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For recent graduates, this is often a common entry point into the field.
The federal government also employs human services graduates across a number of specialized agencies. The table below summarizes entry-level and advanced positions available across five major federal agencies.
| Federal Agency | Bachelor’s-Level Roles | Master’s-Level Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Human Services (state-level equivalent) | Eligibility Worker, Eligibility Screener, Human Services Specialist | Branch Manager, Office Manager, Human Services Specialist (senior) |
| Administration on Aging | Elder Care Information Specialist, Policy Analyst | Administrator of Programs, Policy Task Force Member |
| Administration for Children and Families | Administrative Assistant, Program Analyst | Head Start Program Specialist, Management Analyst |
| Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) | Health Insurance Specialist, Quality Control Reviewer | Management Analyst, Actuary |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) | Administrative Assistant, Field Agent | Program Analyst |
Nonprofit Organizations
If your goal is to work directly with communities on issues like housing insecurity, domestic violence, food access, or immigrant services, nonprofits are often where that work happens. Many operate alongside government agencies, providing frontline services that public systems fund but don’t always deliver directly.
With a bachelor’s degree, you might work as a case worker, outreach coordinator, or program assistant. With a master’s degree, you’re more likely to move into program management or organizational leadership. The nonprofit sector also tends to offer more flexibility around issue focus. If you’re drawn to a specific population or cause, there’s likely an organization built around it.
Healthcare Settings
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, behavioral health clinics, and community health organizations all employ human services professionals. Healthcare social workers help patients navigate discharge planning, connect to post-care resources, and manage the social factors that affect recovery. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare social workers earned a median annual salary of $68,090 as of May 2024, a national estimate that may vary by location, experience, and setting.
Entry-level roles in this sector often require at least a bachelor’s degree. Clinical positions involving direct mental health treatment typically require a master’s degree and, in many states, a clinical license. It’s worth researching your state’s licensure requirements before choosing a graduate program, since the credential you pursue will shape which roles are available to you.
The Justice System
Courts, probation offices, correctional facilities, and diversion programs rely on human services professionals to work with individuals moving through the legal system. Roles range from pretrial assessment and case coordination to substance abuse counseling and reentry support for people leaving incarceration.
This sector is a strong fit for graduates interested in the overlap between public health and public safety. Many positions involve collaboration with law enforcement, legal professionals, and treatment providers. A bachelor’s degree is often sufficient for entry-level roles, while supervisory and clinical positions typically require a master’s.
Education and Schools
School social workers, student assistance specialists, and family liaison coordinators work within K-12 and higher education settings to support students dealing with attendance problems, behavioral challenges, mental health concerns, and family crises. These roles sit at the intersection of education and human services, requiring you to work alongside teachers, school counselors, and administrators.
Some school-based positions require licensure or certification beyond the human services degree itself. Requirements vary considerably by state, so it’s worth checking what your state expects before choosing a program.
Salary and Job Outlook
Where you work affects what you earn. The following table shows median annual salaries and projected job growth for common human services occupations, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024. Figures are national estimates and may vary by location, experience, and setting.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary | Projected Growth (based on latest available BLS projections) | Avg. Annual Openings (including replacement needs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $45,120 | Approx. 8.6% (varies by role and region) | 47,400 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $58,570 | Approx. 5.3% (varies by role and region) | 29,500 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,190 | — | — |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,240 | Approx. 9.1% (varies by role and region) | 16,000 |
Management-level roles carry substantially higher earning potential and are typically accessible with a master’s degree and several years of field experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work in human services with just a bachelor’s degree?
Yes. Many entry-level roles across government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare settings are available with a bachelor’s degree in human services. A master’s degree in human services opens the door to supervisory, management, and clinical positions that require more education and, in some cases, licensure.
Is a human services degree the same as a social work degree?
No. Social work is a distinct field with its own licensure track. A human services degree is broader and can lead to roles in social services, nonprofit administration, healthcare coordination, and government programs. If you’re aiming for a clinical social work license, you’ll typically need a Master of Social Work (MSW) specifically.
Do I need a license to work in human services?
It depends on your role. Many human services positions don’t require licensure. Clinical roles that involve providing mental health therapy typically require a state license, which generally involves a master’s degree and a period of supervised clinical hours. Requirements vary by state, so check with your state’s licensing board for specifics.
What’s the difference between working in government versus a nonprofit?
Government positions tend to offer more stable funding, structured benefits, and defined career ladders. Nonprofits often provide more direct community contact and mission-specific work, but funding can be less predictable. Both sectors are significant employers of human services professionals, and many people move between them over the course of a career.
Can I pursue a master’s degree while working in the field?
Yes. Many human services professionals work full-time while completing a master’s degree through online or part-time programs. It’s a common path in the field, and many employers offer tuition assistance for employees pursuing graduate education.
Key Takeaways
- Multiple sectors hire human services graduates. Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare settings, the justice system, and education all employ professionals with this degree.
- The public sector is one of the largest employers. State departments and federal agencies like SAMHSA, the Administration on Aging, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offer a wide range of roles.
- Degree level determines which roles are accessible. A bachelor’s degree qualifies you for entry-level work, while a master’s degree opens management and clinical positions.
- Salary ranges vary by role and setting. Median pay runs from $45,120 for social and human service assistants to $78,240 for social and community service managers, based on BLS May 2024 national estimates.
- Job growth is generally steady across many roles in the field. Social and human service assistants and social and community service managers both show projected growth of roughly 8-9%, with tens of thousands of annual openings (including replacement needs) projected each year.
Ready to explore your options? Browse degree programs by state and find the human services education path that fits where you want to work.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Social Workers, Social and Human Services Assistants, Social and Community Service Managers, and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, reflect state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed April 2026.