Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Pennsylvania
Social and Human Service Assistants in Pennsylvania earn a median of $44,050 a year ($21.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 24,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,700 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $45,930. Pennsylvania ranks 26th of 51 states for social and human service assistants pay. There are 4.0 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,520 | $16.60 |
| 25th percentile | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Median | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| 75th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Average (mean) | $45,060 | $21.66 |
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 | $3,670.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,835.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,694.23 |
| Weekly | $847.12 |
| Hourly | $21.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $46,040 | 1,190 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $45,370 | 12,160 |
| Lebanon, PA | $44,840 | 90 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $44,360 | 200 |
| Lancaster, PA | $44,070 | 800 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $43,970 | 4,140 |
| Reading, PA | $42,910 | 770 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $42,310 | 1,080 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $41,980 | 1,100 |
| State College, PA | $41,710 | 160 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $41,580 | 450 |
| Johnstown, PA | $41,450 | 590 |
| Williamsport, PA | $41,320 | 280 |
| Erie, PA | $39,710 | 640 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $38,730 | 80 |
| Altoona, PA | $38,030 | n/a |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $52,010 | $25.01 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,820 | $24.43 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Health Education Specialist | $80,670 | $38.78 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Community Health Worker | $50,710 | $24.38 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $74,430 | $35.79 |
| Counselors, All Other | $59,160 | $28.44 |
| Clergy | $58,300 | $28.03 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in Pennsylvania is $44,050 a year, or $21.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in Pennsylvania earn at least $58,700 a year. The top 25% earn $48,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,520 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $37,390 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Pennsylvania?
About 24,340 social and human service assistants are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.