USA Career Guide- Social and Community Service Managers

Education needed to be Social and Community Service Managers

A bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) degree is the minimum requirement to qualify for a job as a social or community service agency manager. A bachelor’s degree in social work, urban studies, public administration, or a related field is also acceptable by the employers. Although a bachelors's degree is required for entry into the field, an advanced degree has become the standard for many positions. A master's degree in social work (MSW) is necessary for positions in health and mental health settings.

Work Experience

Work experience is often needed to become a social and community service manager and is essential for those wishing to enter the occupation with a bachelor’s degree. Workers must demonstrate an ability to lead other workers and manage services and programs. Lower-level management positions may require only a few years of experience; directors typically have more experience.

Pay of Social and Community Service Managers

The median annual wage of social and community service managers was $57,950 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $34,330, and the top 10 percent earned more than $96,920.

In May 2010, the wages of social and community service managers in the industries employing most of the occupation were as follows:

Local government, excluding education and hospitals    $69,670

State government, excluding education and hospitals    64,220

Individual and family services    54,060

Vocational rehabilitation services    52,510

Nursing and residential care facilities    50,160

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics

Job Prospects of Social and Community Service Managers

Employment of social and community service managers is expected to grow by 27 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations as per BLS. Growth in demand for social services id due to increasing aging population. Employment of social and community service managers expected to grow fastest in industries serving the elderly, such as home health care services and services for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities are included in the individual and family services industry.

From 2010 to 2020, employment growth of social and community service managers in the industries employing most of the occupation is expected to be as follows:

Individual and family services    53%

Community and vocational rehabilitation services    31

Nursing and residential care facilities    22

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations    20

State and local government, excluding education and hospitals    7

Employment projections data for social and community service managers, 2010-20

Industrial Overview of Social and Community Service Managers

Social and community service managers held 134,100 jobs in 2010. They work for nonprofit organizations, private for-profit social service companies, and government agencies. Social and community service managers work in a variety of settings, including offices, clinics, hospitals, and shelters. In 2010, the industries employing the most social and community service managers were as follows:

Individual and family services    22%

State and local government, excluding education and hospitals    19

Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations    18

Nursing and residential care facilities    11

Community and vocational rehabilitation services    11

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition