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Job outlook for community living specialists in the United States
Community living specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected community living specialist job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 52,400 new jobs for community living specialists are projected over the next decade.
Community living specialist salaries have increased 13% for community living specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 15,149 community living specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 48,933 active community living specialist job openings in the US.
The average community living specialist salary is $34,560.
Are community living specialist jobs in demand?
Community living specialist job and salary trends over time
Community living specialist jobs over time
Community living specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,149 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 15,963 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 14,750 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 25,163 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 24,367 | 0.01% |
Average community living specialist salary over time
Community living specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,560 | $16.62 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $33,695 | $16.20 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $32,436 | $15.59 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $31,831 | $15.30 | +4.1% |
| 2021 | $30,572 | $14.70 | +3.2% |
Community living specialist jobs by state
Most common states for community living specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,074 | 30% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 138 | 20% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,086 | 19% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 139 | 18% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 166 | 17% |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,988 | 16% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 463 | 15% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 201 | 15% |
| 9 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 145 | 14% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,378 | 12% |
| 11 | Alaska | 739,795 | 92 | 12% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 991 | 11% |
| 13 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 759 | 11% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 217 | 11% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 595 | 10% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 369 | 10% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 60 | 10% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 902 | 9% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 541 | 9% |
| 20 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 158 | 9% |
Most common cities for community living specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holyoke | 2 | 5% | $31,797 |
| 2 | Glendale | 2 | 1% | $41,072 |
| 3 | Albany | 1 | 1% | $34,264 |
| 4 | Davenport | 1 | 1% | $32,255 |
| 5 | Rochester | 1 | 1% | $31,528 |
| 6 | Vancouver | 1 | 1% | $44,437 |
| 7 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $33,246 |
| 8 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $36,102 |
Community Living Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of community living specialist experts
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Hope College
Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis
Elon University
North Dakota State University
Brown University
Austin Community College
Missouri State University
Grace Christian University
Auburn University
University of Minnesota
Notre Dame de Namur University
Neumann University
National Organization for Human Services
California University of Pennsylvania
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Rehabilitation And Therapeutic Professions
What general advice would you give to a Community Living Specialist?
Szu-Ping Lee PT, PhD: Most people like the job because they enjoy working with people and helping them. There is a high level of satisfaction that comes from improving other people's lives. In fact, healthcare workers consistently report some of the highest levels of career satisfaction. However, caring for people is hard work. Doing a good job as a rehabilitation specialist takes a lot of mental and physical energy. Therefore, burnout is fairly common.
What skills stand out on Community Living Specialist resumes?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: When I look at a resume, I am not just looking for a list of skills. I am looking for the application of skills. I am looking for internship experiences or past job experiences that demonstrate hard and soft skill development and application. I believe that the best predictor of future performance is past performance. If you want to be a Communication Skills Instructor, I would recommend starting as an intern - which will help build your skillset under the guidance of someone already working in the profession.
What soft skills should all Community Living Specialists possess?
Dawn DeWitt-Brinks: The most important soft skill that a Communication Skills Instructor can possess is the skill of coaching. A Communication Skills Instructor is basically a skills coach. You need to walk alongside your students/clients to help them grow their communication skill set. You need to be able to assess where their skills are currently, set a plan in place, and put that plan into action - while encouraging your student/client every step of the way.
Erin Foster Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy, Neurology and PsychiatryWashington University School of Medicine in St Louis
Program in Occupational Therapy
What soft skills should all Community Living Specialists possess?
Erin Foster Ph.D.: Grit, resilience, persistence; flexibility, adaptability; ability to work in multi/inter-disciplinary teams, collaborate, interpersonal skills; ethics, integrity; leadership & management.
What soft skills should all Community Living Specialists possess?
Monica Burney: Skilled Human Services professionals demonstrate strong self-awareness and are quick to reflect on how their interactions affect others. They also establish rapport well, ask open-ended questions, and frame conversations with verbal and non-verbal techniques that make people feel comfortable in communication. They are often great collaborators who assess and navigate team dynamics well.
Joel Hektner Ph.D.
Professor and Department HeadNorth Dakota State University
Human Development and Family Science
What skills will help Community Living Specialists earn the most?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: The ability to adapt your skills to the context you are in.
J. Brian Atwood
Visiting Scholar in International and Public AffairsBrown University
International and Public Affairs
What skills will help Community Living Specialists earn the most?
J. Brian Atwood: Focusing on the job at hand and doing it as well as one can. Money should never be the most important motivator. Do the job well, and you will be well compensated.
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.
Department Chair: Human ServicesAustin Community College
Human Services Department
What skills will help Community Living Specialists earn the most?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: I would say much of the income level for human service professionals will be based on education. The higher level of education you have, the more you will earn. We encourage all of our students seeking an Associates in Human Services to consider completing at minimum a bachelor's degree.
What soft skills should all Community Living Specialists possess?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: I would refer to this skill set as "essential" and consist of compassion, empathy, teamwork, the ability to listen, a sense of humor, and most importantly, the ability to practice self-care. I include self-care in this list because working in the human service field can be exhausting and emotionally overwhelming. Taking care of ourselves helps to prevent burnout and possibly leaving the profession.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Community Living Specialists?
Michelle Kelley Shuler Ph.D.: a. Must have strong basic computer skills and knowledge of software such as excel spreadsheets, google docs, etc. Most, if not all, agencies use electronic health records and treatment planning, so it is necessary to be competent in this area.
b. A degree and additional certifications will assist you in seeking employment. It will also increase your level of competency and diversify the communities you serve. For example, at Austin Community College, we offer our students a chance to complete a certification in Mental Health First Aid Training. This increases their marketability and skill level.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Community Living Specialists?
Dr. Abby Templer Rodrigues Ph.D.: It is quite likely that the pandemic will have lasting effects on the nature and the availability of work. The nature of work will change, with businesses anticipating a permanent shift to telework for a portion of their positions (Handwerker et al. 2020). Telework is heavily utilized in the types of professionalized positions sought by most college graduates. It is also possible that employers will take more active steps to address racism in the workplace given the prominence of the Black Lives Matter Movement. The availability of work will also likely be depressed for a number of years. It took over five years for the labor market to recover after the Great Recession (Handwerker et al. 2020). The occupations hardest hit by the pandemic-related recession include hospitality, tourism, and recreation, health services, professional and business services, trade, arts and entertainment, and education (Handwerker et al. 2020), including higher education (Langin 2020).
What technical skills for a Community Living Specialist stand out to employers?
Dr. Abby Templer Rodrigues Ph.D.: Employers look for oral and written communication skills, the ability to work effectively in diverse teams, analytical and quantitative reasoning, and the ability to adapt to new technologies (Ciabattari et al. 2018). Employers specifically prefer college graduates who have experience applying these skills through internships, service learning, senior projects or collaborative research, field projects, or study abroad (Ciabattari et al. 2018).
References
Ciabattari Teresa, Lowney Kathleen S., Monson Renee A., Senter Mary Scheuer, and Chin
Jeffrey. 2018. "Linking Sociology Majors to Labor Market Success." Teaching Sociology 46 (3): 191-207.
Handwerker, Elizabeth Weber, Peter B. Meyer, and Joseph Piacentini. 2020. "Employment
Recovery in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic." Monthly Labor Review, December, 1-24.
Langin, Katie. 2020. "U.S. faculty job market tanks." Science 370(6514): 272-273.
Scott Shaw Ph.D.
Dean / Professor of Human Services, School of Social Sciences and Human ServicesGrace Christian University
School of Social Sciences and Human Services
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Community Living Specialists?
Scott Shaw Ph.D.: There is a growing sentiment that generalist knowledge and interdisciplinary education is the way of the future. We are coming out of a "specialist" mindset that previously encouraged students to find their "one thing" or passion. Once the job market shifts (and it will), those with outdated skills find themselves struggling to find their next "one thing." In his New York Times Bestselling book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (2019), David Epstein makes a case for generalist knowledge and the importance of developing several interests in lieu of only having one major focus. I agree with Epstein's thesis and encourage students to consider studying social sciences and interdisciplinary studies, especially if they are unsure what path or major they are interested in. Having time and dedicated focus to explore interests, personal strengths, and areas of development can help university students experience multiple fields of inquiry that will help them in the current ever-changing job market. Having an ability to apply critical thinking and problem solving to finding creative solutions from different perspectives will advance one's career in almost any market.
I also encourage students to take every opportunity to understand other cultures and perspectives. If able to travel (post-pandemic) on a study abroad, live abroad, or take a short-term trip, then by all means do it. It will expand one's worldview and perspective, as well as one's ability to see the humanity in others from different backgrounds. Employers appreciate applicants who can relay experiences engaging people from different backgrounds and display evidence of emotional and cultural intelligence. If unable to travel internationally, then engage with diverse populations locally and learn from books, articles, documentaries and movies that add to one's cultural awareness and sensitivity. Additionally, having foundational knowledge in technology and statistical literacy can go a long way in almost any field. Current job applicants who display familiarity with MS Office, Google Suite or other common applications can apply this knowledge to most career paths. Many skills and certifications are generalizable to other fields and career paths, so it is important to take every opportunity to always be learning and developing one's understanding.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Community Living Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Scott Shaw Ph.D.: The biggest trends in the current job market include both technical skills and people skills that can be adapted to multiple settings and with a high degree of cultural intelligence (CQ). Many services are adapting to an online, virtual, or personal-delivery format. This has impacted everything from higher education with virtual classes, and telehealth and virtual service delivery models in medical and mental health services, to products ordered online and being delivered to one's doorstep in lieu of large malls and physical stores. Current job applicants must be able to respectfully engage with people from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as help meet the needs of their communities as a direct reflection of the companies and careers they represent.
I encourage my students to embrace 'comfort being uncomfortable' and always be learning. What appears to be a "hot market" or "best" career option today may not be the same answer next year. Being able to engage with all people respectfully, listen well, and provide innovative solutions in a sensitive way will go a long way in whatever developments come along in the current and future job market. I also encourage those looking for work to review their social media accounts - employers check social media accounts and one's digital footprint can make or break an interview based on what one posts, as well as reveal a great deal about one's character and values. Skills and technical abilities should be as diversified and multidisciplinary as possible; however, one's character and values should consistently tell a single story about the applicant as a person.
What's a good job out of college for Community Living Specialists?
Scott Shaw Ph.D.: The best job out of college is the one that provides an opportunity for learning, development and advancement. There is no one "best job" and anyone can learn something from every experience - employers often ask about experiences and lessons learned in job interviews. With a growth mindset and willingness to work hard, applicants who can demonstrate integrity, critical thinking, cultural intelligence, and drive can take whatever job they obtain and use this opportunity for advancement. Job applicants may find opportunities that do not look quite like they initially envisioned and enjoy the process of finding something new and innovative, as well as discern more clearly what one truly enjoys. Most employers understand that employees will potentially leave or outgrow the job, yet capitalizing on opportunities to learn and serve others in the present can illustrate a great deal about an applicant's character and work ethic.
I had a recent graduate who majored in psychology who had initially planned on a career as a therapist. While in college, she began working for a major retailer and through applying her knowledge of psychology and people skills, advanced in the company. Upon graduating with her psychology degree, she was offered a higher-level executive promotion and actually loved her job, but felt conflicted because she was now in a position to take on more responsibility with a significant pay increase, yet she had studied psychology and felt like she might be 'wasting her education' by not practicing psychology. I encouraged her to consider her values, immediate and long-term goals, yet not be dismissive of the applications of her psychology training. Her engaging with customers from different backgrounds, leading fellow employees and applying critical thinking and leadership that she learned in college were what helped her earn this opportunity. She was using her knowledge and psychology degree every day, even though it did not look like what she had initially envisioned. She later told me she had taken the promotion and was very happily growing into her new role, and now felt confident she was using her degree and what she trained to do. She also acknowledged she could change course if and when she decides.
Adam Greer
Career Services SpecialistAuburn University
Department of Human Development and Family Science
What skills stand out on Community Living Specialist resumes?
Adam Greer: Clearly, the distance/online working skills will stand out with our HDFS majors. Our students have a strong foundation in learning to work with people, and now they have a new way to work with people and remove barriers that might have previously prevented an in-person meeting.
What Community Living Specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Joyce Serido Ph.D.: If this pandemic has taught us anything, it is the need to be resilient in the face of uncertainty - so seek out opportunities for creative problem solving, be willing to contribute as part of a team. Use this as an apprenticeship period, learn from experienced leaders in areas that interest you, and ask for advice and insight. And stay open to opportunities that emerge. In other words, explore options as you prepare for the next step, be that particular industry or further education. Perhaps the goal for this year is not to have "the answer" - but rather "the next step."
Dr. Therese Madden
Professor/DirectorNotre Dame de Namur University
Professional Studies Programs
How do you envision technology impacting Community Living Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Therese Madden: Technology will have a serious impact on human services, allowing both providers and clients to have more control, better ways of communicating, better ways of individualized services to help each other grow and serve. I think we have seen it already during the pandemic, with tech providing the support to reach out when being physically in proximity to one another is inadvisable. Once the pandemic is over, combining what we've learned through tech solutions with more traditional hands-on approaches will allow us to serve clients in better and more personal ways.
Stephanie Budhai Ph.D.
Associate Professor, EducationNeumann University
Division of Education and Human Services
How do you envision technology impacting Community Living Specialists in the next 5 years?
Stephanie Budhai Ph.D.: Technology will impact the field of special education tremendously within the next five years. Assistive technology, which has always been a core resource within the area, will continue to advance all learners' opportunities to access the general education curriculum and be included in education settings. Artificial intelligence and augmented reality will have an impact on how students learn and experience content. Technology will also afford more opportunities for one-on-one and small group training using video conferencing and deeper connections with families. It will help bridge the gap between learning at school and home.
What type of skills will young Community Living Specialists need?
Stephanie Budhai Ph.D.: In addition to having a firm grasp of content knowledge, young graduates will need to have mastered several soft skills, including working collaboratively with related services personnel (OTs, PTs, Social Workers, Counselors, ABA Therapist, etc.), while also being autonomous and able to complete work associated tasks independently. With the push to remote teaching and learning and the increase in online education, there will not be an administrator's traditional presence watching the classrooms.
However, it is still an expectation to connect with colleagues within professional learning communities to ensure that each students' IEP goals are being met. Young graduates need to effectively communicate their thoughts and ideas and actively listen to others for understanding. Finally, young graduates need to be flexible and willing to adapt to the environment and uncontrollable factors continually.
What general advice would you give to a Community Living Specialist?
Donald Spears: The human services field is vital to society and is growing tremendously. Human service professionals will likely be presented with new challenges as the Baby Boomers continue to age, live longer, and remain active later than previous generations. Other pressing issues include the continuing national opioid epidemic, helping people with autism meet their potential, and supporting families as loved ones are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. There are other large-scale issues that are just as crucial, such as health care access and affordability, poverty, and social justice. Many people think of human services as being primarily face-to-face work with a client, which is often the case, but human service professionals also work on state and national levels, which is essential to creating a more fair and just society.
What type of skills will young Community Living Specialists need?
Dr. Joseph Constantine Ph.D.: While adaptability has always been heralded as the key predictor of employment success in the future, rapid changes in the social and economic landscape also bring with them an increased need for more traditional skills such as building relationships, understanding specific community needs, networking with other professionals, and advocating for more intensive treatment protocols.