By: All Psychology Schools Staff
Updated: January 16, 2026
Human services salaries in Minnesota
Becoming a human services professional in Minnesota offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact—backed by strong state support, diverse career paths and a growing demand for compassionate, skilled professionals.
If you’re looking for a place to work in human services, you couldn’t choose a much better state than Minnesota. Here are just three reasons to consider practicing there:
Strong state investment:
Minnesota consistently invests in health and human services, ranking among the top states for social program funding and support.
Diverse career opportunity:
The state offers a wide range of roles across public, nonprofit and private sectors, including child welfare, mental health, disability services and community outreach.
Quality of life:
With a strong social safety net, excellent healthcare and a commitment to equity and inclusion, Minnesota provides a supportive environment for both human services professionals and the communities they serve.
Quick view of human services in Minnesota
There are many job titles that fall under the human services umbrella. For this salary article we’ll focus on career fields in human services assistants, and substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling.
That said, here are some of the most common human services job titles in Minnesota:
What are the most common human services jobs in Minnesota?
The following roles span a wide range of settings—from state agencies and nonprofits to healthcare facilities, schools and community programs—reflecting Minnesota’s robust human services landscape.
Social worker: Requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree and involves counseling, casework, advocacy and crisis intervention.
Social and human service assistant: Entry-level support role in program delivery and benefits coordination.
Case manager / caseworker: Plans, coordinates and monitors client care across services; central to social work and agency programs.
Human services technician / direct support professional: Frontline care providers assisting clients with direct care, daily living and behavioral supports.
Behavioral health or mental health technician: Support roles in mental health settings, including psychiatric tech, program assistance and treatment support .
Licensed mental health counselor (LPC/LMHC): Master’s-level professionals providing therapy for mental, substance abuse and emotional issues.
Employment support professional or job coach: Assists clients in finding and maintaining employment through training, development and community integration.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 11,290 human services assistants working in Minnesota, making it the 11th highest employer of these professionals in the U.S. The median wage per hour for human services assistants in Minnesota is $23, while substance abuse, behavioral and mental health counselors made a median hourly wage of $28.
How does Minnesota support its human services workers?
The following state programs give both clients and caregivers more control, while supporting the employment and development of human services workers in Minnesota. Here are three key ways Minnesota supports its human services workers:
Scholarship and loan forgiveness programs:
Through the Home & Community‑Based Services (HCBS) Employee Scholarship & Loan Forgiveness Program, workers in HCBS roles can receive scholarships and have educational loans forgiven when working a minimum number of hours in eligible settings.
Healthcare loan forgiveness for mental health and long term care professionals:
Minnesota offers robust loan repayment assistance ($6,000–$29,000 a year) for licensed mental health providers, nurses and other HCBS workers serving in rural, urban underserved or long term care facilities.
Training stipends and retention bonuses:
Department of Health Services-funded programs provide direct support including stipends to direct care workers in personal care assistant, consumer directed community support and community support grant roles .
A human services career to consider in Minnesota…
The human services job most needed in Minnesota is personal care aides (PCAs) and home health aides, due to a rapidly aging population and a significant workforce shortage. They’re projected to grow 25–33% through 2032 and consistently top in-demand job lists—yet remain some of the lowest-paid roles said Minnesota Reformer.
Who employs health services workers in Minnesota?
These organizations encompass state, healthcare and nonprofit sectors, offering a wide range of roles and significant opportunities for human services professionals in Minnesota:
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), St. Paul:
- As the state’s largest agency, DHS employs over 7,000 staff and administers programs like Medicaid, child protection, mental health services and long term care.
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester:
- Headquartered in Rochester with its extensive Mayo Clinic Health System, this nonprofit healthcare institution employs over 76,000 people, including a large allied health and social services workforce.
- Health Partners/Regions Hospital, St. Paul:
- HealthPartners is a major integrated nonprofit provider (26,000+ employees) with multiple hospitals and clinics; its Regions Hospital in St. Paul has robust behavioral health and care coordination teams.
- Allina Health, Statewide:
- With 12 hospitals and over 90 clinics across Minnesota, Allina employs 29,000+ staff, including case managers, social workers, care coordinators and community health workers.
- Luther Social Services of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minneapolis, St. Cloud:
- One of the state’s largest nonprofits, LSS provides social services in all 87 counties and employs around 2,500 people across foster care, elder services, disability supports, crisis response and housing.
Salary stats for Minnesota human services workers
While BLS national median salaries for human services assistants rested at $45,120 a year, with substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling salaries at $58,570, pay may vary depending upon where you work, employer type, Minnesota’s cost of living, how much experience you have and your level of education. Of note is the BLS ranked Minnesota as the fifth highest paying state for human services assistants in the U.S.
With that in mind, here’s how Minnesota’s median pay ranks against the national figures:
| Human services field | Median annual national pay | Median MN annual pay |
|---|---|---|
| School, child and family social workers | $58,570 | $65,010 |
| Social and human services assistants | $45,120 | $48,860 |
| Substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors | $59,190 | $58,720 |
What are human services salaries like in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, human services professionals—particularly social workers and human services assistants—tend to earn the most in Duluth, the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area, the Mankato–North Mankato area and Rochester, which are all home to large healthcare systems or state universities. Here’s what the BLS reported for median salaries for human services assistants and mental health, behavioral and substance abuse counselors in the state:
Social and Human Service Assistants
10%$38,120
25%$43,820
50%$48,860Median
75%$57,360
90%$65,330
Median Hourly Wage$23
Job growth6.4%
Total Employment11,290
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $48,890 | $39,050 | $62,840 |
| Rochester, MN | $48,860 | $41,000 | $62,320 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $45,790 | $31,230 | $67,810 |
| Mankato, MN | $45,540 | $34,710 | $62,130 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $44,390 | $37,670 | $66,960 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
10%$45,210
25%$49,880
50%$58,720Median
75%$64,370
90%$75,530
Median Hourly Wage$28
Job growth16.8%
Total Employment7,910
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mankato, MN | $61,320 | $50,790 | $73,070 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $60,540 | $45,610 | $79,420 |
| Rochester, MN | $57,700 | $41,480 | $71,760 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $52,270 | $41,960 | $66,750 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $51,210 | $43,510 | $72,900 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
How do human services salaries compare?
Here’s how the BLS compared national median pay rates among different types of human services professionals:
Salary range for human services in Minnesota
Human services assistants were paid $38,120 for the lowest 10% to well over $65,330 for the upper 10% of the field.
In Minnesota, working in certain industries may lead to higher salaries, particularly in high-demand areas. The BLS said the best-paying human services assistant industries include:
- Personal services
- Insurance
- Health and personal care retailers
- Federal branch of government
- Technical and trade schools
For substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors, top paying industries included:
- Management, technical and scientific consulting
- Insurance
- Business, labor, political and professional organizations
- Junior colleges
- Ambulatory health care agencies
What is the job growth for the field?
Employment of human services roles is expected to grow 6.4% through 2034, which is faster than the national average for all occupations, and these jobs in Minnesota are largely influenced by factors such as:
- Aging population and rising demand: Minnesota’s increasing senior demographic and projected surge in elderly care needs are driving elevated demand for personal care and support services.
- Workforce shortages: A shrinking working-age population and persistent labor shortages, partly due to Baby Boomer retirements, are exacerbating gaps in care professions and fueling job growth in human services.
O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS, stated that human services assistants would have a 7% projected job growth rate in Minnesota through 2032, which is slightly slower than average, adding around 1,390 positions.
National employment numbers by metro area
The BLS reported that the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI, metro area ranked seventh in the U.S. for highest employment of human services assistants. Here’s how the BLS ranked other cities in the country:
Factors affecting human services salaries in Minnesota
Certain factors can affect human services salaries in Minnesota. Certainly where you live in the state, your level of education and time on the job may impact pay, but here are four factors explicit to Minnesota that could affect what you earn:
- Collective bargaining and union representation:
- Many human services roles—especially within the Department of Human Services or other state agencies—are covered by collective bargaining agreements. These agreements set step increases, cost of living adjustments and classifications that determine pay ranges.
- Base wage index:
- Minnesota law establishes a biennial wage index and minimum wage floors for direct support roles, such as PCA and CFSS, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Starting 2025, tiered wage floors range from $20–$22.50 depending on experience.
- Pay equity and salary-setting regulations:
- Under Minnesota’s Human Rights Act, employers cannot rely on an applicant’s salary history—instead pay must be based on qualifications like education and skills—helping to ensure equitable starting wages.
- Education, training and credentials:
- Individuals with higher education, specialized certifications or relevant experience often begin in higher salary steps or more advanced job classifications. State rules also allow salary differentials based on performance, qualifications and supervisory responsibilities.
Learn more about human services salaries in your state
For a more detailed breakdown of human services salaries where you live, check out your state below:
What is the education path to become a human services assistant in Minnesota?
To become a human services assistant in Minnesota and perhaps move into more advanced roles such as a behavioral or mental health counselor, students should follow this path:
- Complete entry-level education and certification:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED—though many employers preferring candidates with some college (31% hold a bachelor’s). On-the-job training is preferred, and optional local programs may offer paid internships and college credits.
- Next step, earn a bachelor’s degree:
- To move toward roles like social worker or eligibility worker, consider an associate degree and then earn a bachelor’s degree.
Some community colleges, such as Hennepin Tech offer associate degrees transferable to MSW programs. - To advance, earn a master’s for clinical and counseling roles:
- For positions such as counselor or licensed social worker, earn a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) to qualify for LGSW/LICSW clinical social work licensure, or earn a master’s in counseling or psychology, which is needed for LPC licensure.
Cost of living in Minnesota
The Cost of Living Index rated Minnesota at 95.1, meaning if the national average is 100, Minnesota’s cost of living is 4.9% lower, making it a relatively affordable state to work and reside in.
However, Minnesota does have areas with a high cost of living, even though the state overall is slightly below the national average. As an example:
Minneapolis–St. Paul Metro (Twin Cities)
- Housing and rent are significantly above the state average, especially in neighborhoods like Edina, Wayzata and parts of St. Paul.
- Groceries, transportation and healthcare also cost more here due to urban pricing.
- Median home prices often exceed $400,000.
Rochester
- Driven by Mayo Clinic and a high influx of medical professionals, Rochester has higher-than-average housing and healthcare costs.
- A competitive housing market has pushed home prices close to or above $350,000.
North Shore / Duluth Lakeside Areas
- While Duluth overall is more affordable, desirable lakefront properties in areas like Canal Park or Lester Park may command high housing prices and property taxes.
Resources for human services professionals
Professional groups offer support, advocacy and important resources for human services workers. Here are some professional groups in North Carolina that support those in the human services field, including social workers, behavioral health providers and community service professionals:
Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators (MACSSA): A statewide professional association representing human services leaders across all 87 counties, offering administrative resources, policy advocacy and peer networking.
Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA): Serving human services workers since 1893, MSSA provides education, advocacy, professional development and networking opportunities for both practitioners and administrators.
National Association of Social Workers–Minnesota chapter: The state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers supports licensed professionals and students through continuing education, advocacy at the capitol, supervisor consultation and regional networking events.
A career in human services in Minnesota may be shaped by education, specialization and where in the state you choose to live and work. While wages may not always be as high as other states, the slightly lower cost of living may help stretch salaries. Use our salary guide to help make an informed decision about your education choices and pay and the benefits of entering into a career designed to help others.