Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Kentucky
Social and Human Service Assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $37,440 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,530 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $45,930. Kentucky ranks 46th of 51 states for social and human service assistants pay. There are 2.3 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| 25th percentile | $33,070 | $15.90 |
| Median | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Average (mean) | $40,190 | $19.32 |
Half of social and human service assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,120 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,560 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,440 |
| Weekly | $720 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $41,880 | 1,410 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $41,800 | 2,100 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $37,700 | 660 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $37,430 | 130 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $37,360 | 230 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,020 | 200 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,440 | 760 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $34,110 | 130 |
| Owensboro, KY | $33,740 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for social and human service assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,460 |
| Washington | $54,770 |
| Oregon | $51,230 |
| California | $51,090 |
| Minnesota | $49,940 |
| New Jersey | $48,420 |
| Rhode Island | $47,720 |
| Maine | $47,710 |
| Colorado | $47,690 |
| Idaho | $47,540 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,100 | $28.42 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,350 | $30.94 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $42,570 | $20.46 |
| Community Health Worker | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,540 | $28.15 |
| Health Education Specialist | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| Counselors, All Other | $40,230 | $19.34 |
| Clergy | $58,920 | $28.33 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social and human service assistants make in Kentucky?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in Kentucky is $37,440 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in Kentucky earn at least $55,530 a year. The top 25% earn $45,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,540 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $33,070 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Kentucky?
About 4,670 social and human service assistants are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.