Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Tennessee
Social and Human Service Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $40,310 a year ($19.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,190 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $45,930. Tennessee ranks 35th of 51 states for social and human service assistants pay. There are 1.3 social and human service assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $41,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for social and human service assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,280 | $14.56 |
| 25th percentile | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| Median | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| 75th percentile | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Average (mean) | $41,300 | $19.86 |
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 | $3,359.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,679.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,550.38 |
| Weekly | $775.19 |
| Hourly | $19.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $43,860 | 1,270 |
| Jackson, TN | $40,820 | 150 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $40,530 | 980 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $39,520 | 400 |
| Cleveland, TN | $38,170 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $37,310 | 270 |
| Knoxville, TN | $37,250 | 560 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $37,020 | 200 |
| Johnson City, TN | $36,100 | 180 |
| Morristown, TN | $36,000 | 70 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Counselors, All Other | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,310 | $20.34 |
| Health Education Specialist | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Clergy | $57,260 | $27.53 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for social and human service assistants in Tennessee is $40,310 a year, or $19.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid social and human service assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of social and human service assistants in Tennessee earn at least $52,190 a year. The top 25% earn $46,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for social and human service assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,280 a year, and a quarter of social and human service assistants earn $35,680 or less.
How many social and human service assistants work in Tennessee?
About 4,380 social and human service assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.