Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Tennessee (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Social and Human Service Assistants in Tennessee, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$40,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $45,930
State Rank
#35 of 51
4,380 employed here

How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make in Tennessee?

Social and Human Service Assistants working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $40,310 per year, or about $19.38 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $45,930 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $30,280 while the top 10% make $52,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,680 and $46,150 a year.

Social and Human Service Assistants salary range in Tennessee

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,280$14.56
25th percentile (early career)$35,680$17.15
50th percentile (median)$40,310$19.38
75th percentile (experienced)$46,150$22.19
90th percentile (top earners)$52,190$25.09

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories for Social and Human Service Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$59,460
2Washington$54,770
3Oregon$51,230
4California$51,090
5Minnesota$49,940

Working as Social and Human Service Assistants in Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($40,310) 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 Tennessee?
The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Tennessee is $40,310 per year, or about $19.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,280 at the entry level to $52,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Social and Human Service Assistants about 12% less than the national median of $45,930. Tennessee ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Social and Human Service Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,310 a year. About 4,380 Social and Human Service Assistants are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.