California Median
$51,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $45,930
State Rank
#4 of 51
58,730 employed here
How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make in California?
Social and Human Service Assistants in California take home a median of $51,090 annually — roughly $24.56 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $45,930.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $39,040 while the top 10% make $74,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,110 and $61,450 a year.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,040 | $18.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,110 | $22.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,090 | $24.56 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,450 | $29.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,250 | $35.70 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Social and Human Service Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in other states
District of Columbia $59,460Washington $54,770Oregon $51,230Minnesota $49,940New Jersey $48,420Rhode Island $47,720Maine $47,710Colorado $47,690Idaho $47,540Wisconsin $47,500Alaska $47,360Maryland $47,210New York $47,190Massachusetts $47,130Illinois $46,950New Hampshire $46,950Vermont $46,640New Mexico $46,340North Dakota $46,260Texas $45,860Wyoming $45,290Connecticut $44,730Indiana $44,550Florida $44,410Pennsylvania $44,050Virginia $43,450North Carolina $42,850Kansas $42,570Iowa $42,480Hawaii $42,400Missouri $41,780Arizona $40,730Delaware $40,710Tennessee $40,310Utah $39,930Georgia $39,480West Virginia $39,290Michigan $39,160Nebraska $38,940Montana $38,570Nevada $38,570South Carolina $38,550Ohio $38,390South Dakota $38,350Kentucky $37,440Arkansas $36,770Oklahoma $36,740Alabama $35,830Louisiana $35,780Mississippi $31,200
Working as Social and Human Service Assistants in California
Nationally, about 438,000 people work as Social and Human Service Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($51,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make in California?
The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in California is $51,090 per year, or about $24.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,040 at the entry level to $74,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Social and Human Service Assistants about 11% more than the national median of $45,930. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Social and Human Service Assistants?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $51,090 a year. About 58,730 Social and Human Service Assistants are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Social and Human Service Assistants salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.