By: All Psychology Schools Staff
Updated: January 16, 2026
Human services salaries in New York
In New York State, human services workers often operate in well-funded, innovative environments where they can make meaningful change.
New York can be a very good state to work in as a human services worker, especially for those seeking diverse opportunities, competitive pay and strong support systems. Here are three compelling reasons to consider New York State:
High demand and job variety:
New York has a large, diverse population with extensive human services needs—including urban and rural areas, immigrant communities and aging populations. This creates demand across many sectors, including state and city governments, nonprofits, hospitals and school systems.
Competitive salaries and union protections:
While the cost of living is high, especially in NYC and surrounding areas, human services salaries tend to be higher than the national average. Also, some positions are unionized, offering job security, benefits and paid leave.
Progressive policies:
New York has a long history of social justice initiatives, including tenant protections and housing programs, mental health and substance use services and laws that support LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant assistance and disability inclusion.
Quick view of human services roles in New York
There are many job titles that fall under the human services umbrella, especially in a state as progressive as New York, but for this salary review we’ll focus on social and health services assistant roles, as community health workers and in substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling.
What human services job titles does NY need?
Three of the most in-demand human services jobs in New York State—based on workforce trends, job postings and public sector needs—include:
- Case manager in social services or behavioral health: There is a high demand due to homelessness, mental health crises and housing insecurity—especially in NYC and urban areas such as Buffalo and Rochester.
- Mental health counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): New York has a mental health provider shortage in many counties, especially upstate. The state is prioritizing behavioral health access through programs like Office of Mental Health.
- Substance abuse counselor or Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC): The opioid crisis and other substance use disorders continue to strain systems. New York funds multiple addiction recovery and harm-reduction programs across the state.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 6,740 people are employed as community health workers in New York, 40,700 as human services assistants and 22,450 people work as substance abuse, behavioral or mental health counselors. This makes New York the number two state for employment in the U.S. for community health workers and human services assistants, and the number four state for employment of substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors.
The median wage per hour for community health workers in New York is $27, while substance abuse, behavioral and mental health counselors earned a median hourly wage of $30.
How does New York support its human services workforce?
New York State recognizes that human services workers operate on the front lines of complex social challenges. In response, New York has built several strong systems to protect and support its human services workforce. Here are key ways the state provides that support:
- Workforce protections and union support: Many human services workers in public and nonprofit sectors are unionized, which helps secure fair wages, job stability, legal protections and paid time off and sick leave. For state or city jobs, civil service laws ensure hiring transparency, workplace rights and disciplinary protections.
- Mental health and trauma support for workers: Recognizing the emotional toll of working with trauma-affected populations, New York offers employee assistance programs with confidential counseling, crisis support and referrals. Many nonprofits and agencies provide trauma-informed workplace training to help workers manage stress and burnout, and some organizations now include mandatory wellness time, mental health days and burnout prevention programs.
- Investment in workforce development: New York State actively invests in developing, retaining and supporting human services talent by offering programs such as the NYS Licensed Social Worker Loan Forgiveness Program to help reduce educational financial strain. Too, NYC’s “Career Pathways” initiative and state funding promote advancement from entry-level roles into licensed or supervisory positions. And, to meet the needs of immigrant communities, the state funds cultural competency and language access training.
Who employs health services workers in New York?
Here are five top employers of human services workers across New York State, spanning social work, mental health counseling, case management, human services assisting and community health:
- New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), Albany and statewide:
- OMH leads state-level mental health policy and direct service delivery, especially for high-needs populations. They are a statewide provider of mental health services, including psychiatric centers, outpatient clinics and crisis intervention.
- NYC Department of Social Services (DSS), New York:
- One of the largest municipal social services agencies in the U.S., serving over 3 million New Yorkers. DSS/HRA operates public assistance, SNAP, homelessness prevention and protective services.
- Montefiore Health System, The Bronx:
- A major health system with a strong focus on integrated behavioral health, community health and social determinants of health. Montefiore is known for blending medical care with social services and serving low-income, immigrant populations.
- Acacia Network, The Bronx and statewide:
- A large nonprofit focused on housing, mental health, addiction recovery and community development, especially in the Bronx and across NYC. Acacia is one of the largest Latino-led nonprofits in the country and deeply embedded in underserved communities.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, New York:
- Catholic Charities provides a wide range of services including immigration legal aid, refugee support, housing, job assistance and counseling. They are known for culturally competent services and support for vulnerable populations, including immigrants and seniors.
Salary stats for NY’s human services workforce
While BLS national median salaries for community health workers rested at $51,030 a year, with substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling salaries at $58,570, pay may vary depending upon where you work, education earned, employer type and how these factors weigh against New York’s high cost of living.
With that in mind, here’s how New York’s median pay ranks against the national figures:
| Human services field | Median annual national pay | Median NY annual pay |
|---|---|---|
| Community health workers | $51,030 | $56,950 |
| Social and human services assistants | $45,120 | $46,210 |
| Substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors | $59,190 | $62,070 |
What are salaries like within New York for human services professionals?
Certain metro areas in New York logically pay better than others, especially when weighed against the cost of living in that metro area. As an example, New York City may pay higher than average, but the cost of living in the city is phenomenally high as well, especially when it comes to housing. That said, here are some of the highest paying areas within New York:
| Human services career | Highest paying metro area | BLS rank for pay | Median annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community health workers | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | #14 in the U.S. | $60,540 |
| Human services assistants | Ithaca, NY | Not ranked in the top 15 | $49,390 |
| Substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Not ranked in the top 15 | $64,900 |
Here’s what the BLS said other New York metro areas paid health services workers in the community health, human services assistant and substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling fields:
Community Health Workers
10%$42,900
25%$47,100
50%$56,950Median
75%$67,720
90%$87,410
Median Hourly Wage$27
Job growth11.3%
Total Employment6,740
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $60,540 | $38,670 | $90,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $57,630 | $45,420 | $90,600 |
| Rochester, NY | $51,420 | $38,610 | $74,410 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $51,120 | $38,580 | $78,480 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,610 | $39,420 | $86,700 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $49,360 | $40,800 | $70,500 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $46,640 | $37,910 | $60,270 |
| Binghamton, NY | $46,490 | $37,050 | $60,780 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $45,620 | $37,010 | $57,200 |
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.
Social and Human Service Assistants
10%$35,460
25%$38,690
50%$46,210Median
75%$56,800
90%$64,680
Median Hourly Wage$22
Job growth6.4%
Total Employment40,700
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $49,390 | $36,490 | $64,680 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $47,390 | $35,880 | $69,350 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $46,640 | $32,970 | $64,070 |
| Kingston, NY | $46,470 | $34,410 | $64,680 |
| Syracuse, NY | $45,280 | $35,610 | $56,940 |
| Elmira, NY | $45,140 | $32,260 | $64,040 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $44,870 | $34,690 | $62,100 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $44,550 | $32,570 | $64,680 |
| Rochester, NY | $44,430 | $34,690 | $64,680 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $43,660 | $34,650 | $60,860 |
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%$43,160
25%$50,880
50%$62,070Median
75%$76,680
90%$101,910
Median Hourly Wage$30
Job growth16.8%
Total Employment22,450
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $64,900 | $44,100 | $112,690 |
| Ithaca, NY | $64,480 | $48,400 | $91,060 |
| Syracuse, NY | $63,170 | $42,370 | $78,200 |
| Kingston, NY | $61,360 | $41,810 | $91,320 |
| Elmira, NY | $61,160 | $48,430 | $84,430 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $61,000 | $44,950 | $91,630 |
| Rochester, NY | $59,280 | $40,710 | $78,630 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $56,990 | $34,400 | $109,290 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $56,990 | $38,280 | $71,750 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $56,690 | $42,400 | $80,540 |
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 other human services professionals:
What is the job growth for the field?
Employment of human services assistant roles is expected to grow 6.4% through 2034, which is faster than the national average for all occupations, however New York job growth is expected to be even faster than average.
According to O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS, human services assistants would enjoy a 24% projected job growth rate in New York through 2032, which is much faster than the national average, adding around 950 new positions.
National employment numbers by metro area (BLS)
What factors may affect human services salaries in New York?
Several New York-specific factors significantly impact what you may be able to earn in the human services field. Here are a few of the most important ones:
- Location–upstate vs. downstate:
- Downstate salaries in locations such as NYC, Long Island or Westchester may be higher due to elevated cost of living and demand. There is also more funding for city programs and a stronger union presence. Upstate has a lower cost of living, but also fewer high-paying opportunities, and public-sector jobs may offer good benefits but less wage competition.
- Required licensing and credentials:
- Some roles, such as Licensed Social Worker of Licensed Mental Health Counselor require state licensure, which may increase earning potential. Having these credentials may qualify you for higher-skill, higher-pay positions, especially in healthcare, corrections or clinical settings.
- Union membership:
- Many public and nonprofit human services jobs are unionized, and unions can raise wages, secure cost-of-living increases, protect pensions and negotiate stronger benefits.
- Employer type and sector:
- State, county and city government roles usually offer stronger benefits and stable salaries based on civil service scales. Nonprofits often pay less but may offer programs such as loan forgiveness or have flexible hours. Healthcare systems may offer the highest pay for roles such as social worker or care coordinator due to integration with medical billing.
- Language skills and specializing:
- Bilingual workers—especially in Spanish, Mandarin or Arabic—may receive stipends or priority hiring. Specializing in high-need areas—such as mental health, housing navigation or substance use counseling—may boost earnings due to targeted demand.
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:
Education path for human services assistants in NY
The education path to become a human services assistant in New York State is accessible and can be tailored to different career goals. Here’s a step-by-step overview of what’s typically required and what may improve your job prospects:
- Earn a postsecondary certificate or associate degree in human services:
- After earning a high school diploma or GED, enroll in an associate degree or certificate program in human services, social work, mental health technology, addiction counseling or community health at a New York community college. Some colleges such as SUNY Monroe, Hudson Valley and Bronx Community College offer these programs.
- Complete any required fieldwork or an internship:
- Programs usually include supervised internship hours in settings such as shelters, mental health clinics, nonprofits or residential facilities. This experience is crucial for gaining real-world skills and increasing employability.
- Pursue certifications:
- While not mandatory, professional credentials may improve job opportunities and pay. Examples of common certifications include Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA), Direct Support Professional (DSP) Certification, CPR/First Aid and Mental Health First Aid or CASAC-T if you’re working toward an addiction counseling role.
- Path to advancement:
- Some human services assistants in New York later pursue a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW), human services or psychology, qualifying them for case management, counseling or social work licensure. Future advancement may require a master’s degree in social work or human services.
Cost of living in New York
New York is the sixth highest state for cost of living said the Cost of Living Index, which ranked it at 123.3, meaning if the national average is 100, New York is 23.3% higher than the average, making it an expensive place to live. It also explains why salaries tend to be higher in the state, as they must compensate for higher expenses.
However, expenses can vary significantly across different cities. While the Manhattan-New York City, Brooklyn and Westchester County areas are very high as far as cost of living, there are places that are more affordable, such as Buffalo, Utica and Binghampton metro areas, which are university towns and are slightly below the national cost of living average.
Resources for New York’s human services professionals
Professional groups offer support, advocacy and important resources for human services workers. Here are some key professional organizations in NY that support human services workers, including those in social work, counseling and community health services:
New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA): NYSSWEA is a statewide organization that connects social work and human services educators, practitioners and students. It offers networking events, professional development and annual conferences focused on policy, practice and education in human services.
New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA): This is a statewide membership association representing community-based agencies that address poverty, housing, employment and support services.
NYSCAA offers training, policy advocacy and resources for those working in case management, community health and family services.
National Association of Social Workers–New York State Chapter (NASW-NYS): The NY State chapter of the largest professional social work association in the U.S. provides licensure support, CEU credits, job boards, legislative updates, and peer networks for social workers and human services professionals.
A career in human services in New York may be shaped by your location in the state, specialization and level of education earned. While wages are good and the state is progressive and supportive of human services roles, the high cost of living in many New York cities may impact how far your salary goes. Use our salary guide to help you make an informed decision about education choices and pay and entering into a career dedicated to helping others.