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Job outlook for human services instructors in the United States
Are human services instructor jobs in demand?
Human services instructor job and salary trends over time
Human services instructor jobs over time
Human services instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 163 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 163 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 165 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 160 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 157 | 0.00% |
Average human services instructor salary over time
Human services instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,301 | $20.34 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $41,242 | $19.83 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $39,701 | $19.09 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $38,960 | $18.73 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $37,419 | $17.99 | +3.2% |
Human services instructor jobs by state
Most common states for human services instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 334 | 48% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 234 | 24% |
| 3 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,275 | 23% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 707 | 22% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 163 | 22% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,170 | 21% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 131 | 21% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,695 | 20% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 815 | 20% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 271 | 20% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,294 | 19% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 109 | 19% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 345 | 18% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 192 | 18% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,740 | 17% |
| 16 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,272 | 17% |
| 17 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 866 | 17% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 486 | 16% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 170 | 16% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 124 | 16% |
Most common cities for human services instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $40,322 |
| 2 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $46,819 |
| 3 | Topeka | 1 | 1% | $45,528 |
| 4 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $47,597 |
| 5 | Oakland | 1 | 0% | $69,983 |
| 6 | Saint Paul | 1 | 0% | $42,957 |
Human Services Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of human services instructor experts
Hope College
American International College
Grambling State University
College of Charleston
Shaw University
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Misericordia University
What skills stand out on Human Services Instructor 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Human Services Instructors?
Lina Racicot: As the director of graduate psychology at American International College, I have advised hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students about career paths in the human services field including mental health counseling, addiction counseling, case management, forensic psychology, and criminal justice.
In the human services field, we will see an increase in the need of professionals due to the lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic which has exposed the vulnerability of many in need of services. Graduates will find human services to be a growing field over and beyond the pandemic due to the impact it has had on increasing stressors, relapses, and gaps in care. College graduates in this field must be prepared to meet the needs of clients in our changing landscape through innovative methods of outreach and remote care along with the traditional methods of outpatient, in-home therapy, and residential services.
What's a good job out of college for Human Services Instructors?
Lina Racicot: Individuals with undergraduate degrees in the area of human services can expect to begin their careers in case management. A great job right out of college in human services is one that allows for supervision from a mentor who has been in the field and knows the path to career advancement. This can be found in non-profits, mental health clinics, residential services, government agencies, and within the criminal justice system. I always advise my students the best thing they can do at the beginning of their career in human services is to build the trust of supervisors ensuring them that you are a reliable individual with strong professional boundaries who can work with vulnerable children, families and individuals. The job you obtain right out of college is the stepping stone into a successful career in human services.
What will help Human Services Instructors increase their earning potential?
Lina Racicot: The path to career advancement in the human services field is through certification or licensure. For example, pursuing a master’s degree that will lead to licensure as a mental health counselor will increase earning potential. There is such a dire need for licensed clinicians that most of my master’s level graduates get hired directly from their internship site. Others choose to go elsewhere. Master’s level clinicians can also move into management positions such as clinical director positions. Addiction counseling certification is a great option for college graduates who are not ready to pursue a master’s or already have a master’s but are not licensed or certified. Although it is limited to counseling those suffering from addiction or in recovery, it is a pathway to career advancement. Other possibilities for career advancement in the human services field include licensure as a social worker, certification in human resource management, and certification in case management to name a few options. For graduates interested in becoming a doctoral level expert in the field, I suggest exploring the many doctoral degree options that would help them to gain recognition and increase earnings. Those particularly interested in becoming forensic psychologist, as many of my master’s level students aspire, a PhD degree is a must. No matter which path you decide on, start building that trust right now. Your reputation will precede you and lead to your greatest earning potential.
What Human Services Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Cheyrl Ensley: Training to be essential is critical. Increasing skills in using technology are necessary. Keeping students engaged and actively learning through technology is a crucial tool that will be extremely important to a teacher, whether teaching in person or virtually. Additionally, the gap year should be used to identify an area of interest for work. Once the site is specified, the graduate should build professional relationships and learn the site's culture.
What experience really stands out on Human Services Instructor resumes?
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice: The experience that most stands out on resumés, to my mind, is definitely internships or anything where the applicant has had to show initiative and exercise independent thought.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Human Services Instructors to find work opportunities?
TaVshea Smith: As an educator, graduates should be able to find many work opportunities to teach. The pandemic has highlighted the need for educators to share their immense talent with students and key stakeholders.
What Human Services Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Suzanne Kemp Ph.D.: They need to stay engaged in some level of working with people with disabilities. If they do something that isn't relevant to the field, they won't be as marketable as a new graduate.
David Hage
Assistant Professor, Field DirectorMisericordia University
Department of Social Work
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Human Services Instructors in the next 5 years?
David Hage: Even before the global COVID-19 pandemic, there was a 13% expectation for growth within the social work field between 2019 and 2029 (BLS.GOV, 2019). Given the increase in complexity and specific societal problems, the needs of individuals, families, groups, and communities will likely continue to require qualified, competent, and caring social service professionals to meet growing social service demands.
Newer social work and human service graduates will have probably faced many of these COVID-10 specific challenges in their internship work and be uniquely positioned to confidently enter to workforce, amid the global pandemic, to positively impact the wide range of social problems facing society today, and for some time to come.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Human Services Instructor job market given the pandemic?
David Hage: I expect the need for social services to become even more prominent, given the COVID-19 pandemic. It is likely, and perhaps even unfortunately probable, that individuals, families, groups, and communities who are most vulnerable to the health-related, social, and economic consequences of the global pandemic will require additional social service supports to navigate increased problems related to several issues, including, but not limited to, poverty, management of disabilities, addictions, mental health-related questions, and many other population-specific challenges (United Nations, 2020).
For example, while children are participating in school remotely, their access to nutritional services and other essential supports will likely be reduced. They may be more likely to be abused and not have a school staff member detect the abuse, and therefore, suffer worse consequences or suffer longer (Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection, 2020). Individuals susceptible to domestic violence will likely be more at-risk (NY Times, 2020).
People in general, and significantly older adults, will face increased social isolation and the challenges of anxiety and depression that accompany isolation, in addition to other material challenges (University of Michigan, 2020). The social work job market was projected to rise well before these problems emerged and will likely continue to reflect a demand for these needs to be met, especially as many social issues are on the rise.