Social and Community Service Managers
SOC code 11-9151 · O*NET-SOC 11-9151.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Social and Community Service Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$80,390
a year
Hourly
$38.65
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$88,880
$42.73 per hour
Middle 50%
$64,290 – $103,200
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$53,150 – $132,260
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
209,330
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $53,150
- $25.56/hr
- 25th percentile
- $64,290
- $30.91/hr
- Median percentile
- $80,390
- $38.65/hr
- 75th percentile
- $103,200
- $49.61/hr
- 90th percentile
- $132,260
- $63.59/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+6%
Growing faster than average
219,800
jobs in 2024
233,900
projected for 2034
About 14,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do social and community service managers do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
- Direct activities of professional and technical staff members and volunteers.
- Evaluate the work of staff and volunteers to ensure that programs are of appropriate quality and that resources are used effectively.
- Participate in the determination of organizational policies regarding such issues as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits.
- Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals.
- Provide direct service and support to individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.
- Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated.
- Recruit, interview, and hire or sign up volunteers and staff.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 50% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree50%
- Master's Degree24%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8%
- Post-Master's Certificate8%
Common questions
How much does a social and community service managers earn?
The national median is $80,390 a year. The full range runs from $53,150 at the 10th percentile to $132,260 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a social and community service managers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is social and community service managers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 6% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- Administration and Management4.4/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Psychology4.1/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.7/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.7/5
- Public Safety and Security3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.