Community and Social Service Occupations
SOC 21-0000 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Community and Social Service Occupations is $52,000, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $58,980, and an estimated 2,418,130 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +9.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -7.1% (pay did not keep up with inflation).
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Community and Social Service Occupations has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $52,000 | $52,000 | 2,418,130 |
| 2022 | $49,380 | $51,413 | 2,313,620 |
| 2021 | $48,410 | $54,436 | 2,239,680 |
| 2020 | $47,520 | $55,946 | 2,231,070 |
Nominal change
+9.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-7.1%
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Community and Social Service Occupations earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $52,000. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68,490 | +31.7% | 11,190 |
| New Jersey | $61,020 | +17.3% | 70,840 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $60,860 | +17% | 1,460 |
| California | $60,220 | +15.8% | 360,300 |
| Alaska | $60,120 | +15.6% | 7,360 |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $59,920 | +15.2% | 2,600 |
| Washington | $59,710 | +14.8% | 60,240 |
| New York | $59,660 | +14.7% | 179,900 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $59,530 | +14.5% | 1,060 |
| Connecticut | $59,180 | +13.8% | 35,000 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$35,570
25th Pct
$42,020
Median
$52,000
75th Pct
$69,160
90th Pct
$89,220
Related Occupations in Community & Social Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.