Community and Social Service Specialist Salary in 2026

    SOC: 21-1099.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $54,940
    per year
    Salary Range
    $36K – $83K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    110,390
    employed
    Job Growth
    +4.6%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Community and Social Service Specialists Make?

    Community and Social Service Specialists earn a median annual salary of $54,940 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,470 at the 10th percentile to $83,210 at the 90th percentile — a range of $46,740. The highest-paying state is North Dakota at $74,700.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$36,470
    25th percentile$45,420
    Median (50th)$54,940
    75th percentile$67,590
    90th percentile$83,210
    10th: $36,470Median: $54,94090th: $83,210
    Section 02

    Community and Social Service Specialist Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    North Dakotatop$74,700
    Wyoming$74,060
    Virginia$70,300
    District of Columbia$67,440
    New York$63,850
    Washington$61,980
    Massachusetts$61,650
    New Jersey$60,930
    Rhode Island$60,020
    California$56,820
    Colorado$56,700
    Florida$54,840
    Wisconsin$54,670
    Connecticut$54,560
    Indiana$54,530
    Pennsylvania$54,450
    Hawaii$54,430
    Delaware$54,230
    New Hampshire$53,860
    North Carolina$53,860
    Ohio$53,810
    Tennessee$52,210
    Nebraska$52,130
    New Mexico$51,810
    Minnesota$51,750
    Arizona$51,590
    Vermont$51,540
    Nevada$51,210
    Oregon$50,200
    South Carolina$49,990
    Michigan$49,970
    Missouri$49,440
    Kentucky$49,320
    Maryland$49,300
    Alaska$49,050
    Texas$48,240
    Montana$47,100
    Idaho$46,650
    Louisiana$46,120
    Maine$45,140
    Kansas$44,910
    Iowa$44,530
    Oklahoma$43,200
    Georgia$42,650
    Utah$42,210
    Mississippi$41,660
    Arkansas$40,610
    West Virginia$40,260
    Illinois$40,050
    Alabama$24,340
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Community and Social Service Specialists

    State College, PA
    Highest paying
    $87,960
    top metro salary
    Columbus, OH
    $79,160
    $-8,800 vs highest
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
    $77,720
    $-10,240 vs highest
    Ithaca, NY
    $76,010
    $-11,950 vs highest
    Richmond, VA
    $74,890
    $-13,070 vs highest
    North Dakota
    $74,700
    $-13,260 vs highest
    Virginia
    $70,300
    $-17,660 vs highest
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY
    $69,570
    $-18,390 vs highest
    Section 04

    Community and Social Service Specialist Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$36,470 – $45,420
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$54,940
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$67,590
    Senior (15+ yrs)$83,210+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as a Community and Social Service Specialist

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Community and Social Service Specialists in State College, PA earn $87,960 — $33,020 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($67,590) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 21-1099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.