By: All Psychology Schools Staff
Updated: January 16, 2026
Human services salaries in North Carolina
North Carolina is a promising state for human services professionals due to its expanding social support systems and demand for social workers, counselors and case managers.
Here are three excellent reasons why North Carolina is a strong state for a career in human services:
Growing demand:
North Carolina’s growing and aging population, along with rural and underserved areas, drives a strong need for social workers, mental health counselors and case managers across the state.
Expanding healthcare infrastructure:
With investments in Medicaid expansion and community health initiatives, North Carolina offers increasing job opportunities in public health, behavioral health and social service programs.
Strong educational pipeline:
The state has reputable universities and community colleges offering accredited programs in social work, counseling and human services, making it accessible to gain credentials and advance in the field.
Quick view of human services roles in North Carolina
There are many job titles that fall under the human services umbrella in North Carolina and nationally, but for this salary article we’ll focus on career fields in social work, human services assistants, and substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling.
What job titles make up human services?
Human services is a broad field encompassing many job titles that focus on helping individuals and communities meet basic needs, improve quality of life and access support services. Here are key job titles commonly found in human services:
- Case manager
- Social worker
- Substance abuse counselor
- Mental health counselor
- Behavioral health technician
- Community outreach worker
- Human services assistant
- Family support specialist
- Crisis intervention specialist
- Victim advocate
Human services-adjacent job titles
These roles—encompassing corrections and legal, policy and youth and family services—vary in required education and licensing, but all are unified by a mission to support people facing economic, mental, physical or social challenges.
- Public health educator
- Child welfare specialist
- Youth program coordinator
- Housing specialist
- Juvenile counselor
- Correctional treatment specialist
- Court appointed advocate
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 13,960 people are employed as child, family and school social workers in North Carolina, 8,282 as human services assistants and 8,930 people work as substance abuse, behavioral or mental health counselors. The median wage per hour for social workers in NC is $28, while substance abuse, behavioral and mental health counselors made a median hourly wage of $27.
How does NC support human services workers?
North Carolina supports human services workers through a combination of statewide initiatives, funding and infrastructure designed to strengthen the social services workforce. The state has expanded access to Medicaid, increasing demand and resources for healthcare and mental health professionals. It also offers a range of professional development opportunities through partnerships with universities, community colleges and state-run training programs.
Local and county governments provide stable employment through departments of social services (DSS), and North Carolina’s licensure boards maintain clear pathways for credentialing professionals such as social workers, counselors and case managers. Additionally, the state supports workforce retention through competitive state benefits, loan repayment programs for underserved areas and efforts to address burnout in high-demand fields like child welfare and behavioral health.
A human services career to consider in NC…
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) likely has the highest potential within the human services field in North Carolina due to its versatility, high demand in both public and private sector, and strong earning potential—especially in mental health and medical social work settings.
Who employs health services workers in North Carolina?
Here are five top employers in North Carolina for child, family and school social workers, and human services assistants and professionals specializing in substance abuse, mental health and behavioral services, along with how these roles function within the settings:
- Novant Health, Statewide:
- As a major hospital system across the state, Novant Health employs licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), case managers and behavioral health specialists in hospital, outpatient and community clinics to support patients and families with mental health, social care coordination and discharge planning.
- Atrium Health, Charlotte and Wake Forest Baptist metro areas:
- This academic medical center and teaching hospital integrates behavioral health counselors and school/social workers into its primary care, pediatric and trauma units—especially in its Childress Institute—providing therapy, crisis intervention and school‐based outreach programs.
- Duke Health/Duke University, Durham:
- Duke employs social workers and counselors in medical, educational and community settings, including hospital-based case management, psychiatric services and school-linked programs through Duke’s education and outreach initiatives.
- ECU Health, Eastern North Carolina:
- As the primary Level I trauma center and teaching hospital in eastern North Carolina, ECU Health hires social workers and behavioral health clinicians in inpatient and outpatient settings, including psychiatric and school-liaison roles across rural communities.
- United Family Services, Charlotte metro area:
- This nonprofit family services agency staffs family support specialists, child welfare social workers and mental health counselors who provide community-based case management, home visits and school and family intervention programs in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties.
Salary stats for North Carolina human services
While BLS national median salaries for school, child and family social workers rested at $58,570 a year, with substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling salaries at $58,570, pay may vary depending upon where you work, employer type, North Carolina’s cost of living, how much experience you have and your level of education.
With that in mind, here’s how North Carolina’s median pay ranks against the national figures:
| Human services field | Median annual national pay | Median NC annual pay |
|---|---|---|
| School, child and family social workers | $58,570 | $57,660 |
| Social and human services assistants | $45,120 | $40,470 |
| Substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors | $59,190 | $56,470 |
What are salaries like within NC for human services professionals?
Certain cities in North Carolina offer higher than average salaries for human services. For instance, the BLS said that if maximizing salary in human services—especially in clinical or healthcare sectors—is your goal, prioritize the Raleigh-Cary and Durham–Chapel Hill metro areas—they’re the top-paying regions in the state. Here’s what the BLS said other North Carolina metro areas paid human services workers in the school, child and family social work area and the substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling fields:
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
10%$41,490
25%$48,390
50%$57,660Median
75%$67,560
90%$78,060
Median Hourly Wage$28
Job growth3.4%
Total Employment13,960
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $62,540 | $45,340 | $82,180 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $62,500 | $44,750 | $67,570 |
| Wilmington, NC | $62,350 | $44,040 | $83,680 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,670 | $44,740 | $84,680 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60,360 | $43,240 | $79,000 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,970 | $38,810 | $75,150 |
| Asheville, NC | $57,550 | $44,680 | $77,940 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,020 | $37,400 | $66,370 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $54,980 | $43,040 | $72,590 |
| Greenville, NC | $54,790 | $45,470 | $69,070 |
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%$29,510
25%$34,160
50%$40,470Median
75%$47,990
90%$57,310
Median Hourly Wage$19
Job growth6.4%
Total Employment8,280
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, NC | $48,000 | $29,590 | $59,230 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $43,890 | $32,060 | $60,850 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $43,740 | $31,500 | $55,100 |
| Burlington, NC | $43,320 | $33,640 | $56,310 |
| Asheville, NC | $42,320 | $31,280 | $54,750 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $42,090 | $29,000 | $53,350 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $41,590 | $35,740 | $50,870 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $39,760 | $29,390 | $61,050 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $38,960 | $31,200 | $52,030 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $38,940 | $30,340 | $53,880 |
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%$38,440
25%$47,460
50%$56,470Median
75%$68,470
90%$83,790
Median Hourly Wage$27
Job growth16.8%
Total Employment8,930
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $60,350 | $44,810 | $86,080 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $58,590 | $42,240 | $93,390 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,420 | $36,270 | $81,150 |
| Asheville, NC | $57,320 | $39,050 | $85,110 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $56,450 | $34,730 | $88,170 |
| Greenville, NC | $55,170 | $38,810 | $77,850 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $54,010 | $31,200 | $91,440 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $53,800 | $34,340 | $78,730 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $53,660 | $41,750 | $86,120 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $53,590 | $39,970 | $84,130 |
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 North Carolina
The salary range for school, family and child social workers in North Carolina typically spans from $41,490 for the lowest 10% to well over $78,060 for the upper 10% of professionals in the field per year. Human services assistants were paid $29,510 for the lowest 10% to well over $57,310 for the upper 10% of the field.
In North Carolina, 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, however these jobs are largely influenced by factors such as:
- Grants: Government grants are often awarded to human service organizations for specific projects or programs.
- Taxes: Government programs and services are funded through taxes. This includes Social Security and Medicare, which are primarily funded by payroll taxes.
O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS, stated that human services assistants would enjoy a 14% projected job growth rate in NC through 2032, which ranked the field’s growth faster than average, adding around 650 positions.
National employment numbers by metro area
Factors affecting human services salaries in NC
Here are factors specific to North Carolina that can impact human services salaries:
- Funding sources:
- Human services programs and financial assistance for needy individuals in North Carolina are primarily funded through the state department of health and human services (NCDHHS), which receives federal and state funding and then distributes a portion of that to the local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices for program operations. Counties also contribute to funding local DSS operational costs.
- Grants:
- Various grant opportunities exist for specific programs and services aimed at supporting vulnerable populations, such as low-income residents, older adults, youth, individuals experiencing housing insecurity and those with disabilities or substance use disorders. These grants often come with restrictions on how funds can be used and may directly impact personnel costs, including salaries.
- Experience and performance:
- Experience, education, specialized skills, performance, market relativity and recruitment/retention issues may all influence salary.
- Labor market and retention:
- Agencies may use funds like the Labor Market Retention and Adjustment Fund to address recruitment and retention challenges by adjusting salaries to remain competitive in the labor market. Compensation policies aim to ensure internal pay within occupational groups is aligned.
- State budgets and fiscal responsibility:
- Maintaining fiscal responsibility is a key consideration in determining salary adjustments.
- Job classification:
- The North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses a system to objectively evaluate job descriptions and determine pay grades based on factors like complexity and scope of work, level of decision-making, communication skills, supervision required and level of education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the job.
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 NC?
Here’s the basic education path and requirements to become a human services assistant in North Carolina:
- Complete entry-level education and certification:
- While not always required for the general human services assistant role, some positions in healthcare-adjacent services, such as nursing homes or home healthcare. require additional credentials, such as the state-approved CNA (Nurse Aide I) training program.
- Earn an associate degree in human services:
- Employers may prefer candidates with an associate degree or equivalent. Community colleges such as Fayetteville Tech, Davidson‑Davie and Central Carolina offer associate programs, certificates and diplomas in human services.
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in human services:
- A bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology or social work is usually required for more advanced roles, or if pursuing professional licensure as a social worker or counselor.
- Gain practical experience:
- Hands-on experience is important as some employers hire individuals with 0–2 years of experience, while others prefer 2–5 years. Volunteering or entry-level roles, such as care coordinator or outreach specialist, may help build the necessary communication, case management and client service skills.
- Earn a master’s degree (optional):
- If you plan to advance into licensed social work, counseling or therapist and administrative roles, a master’s degree is essential. If you’re considering working in behavioral health, look into becoming a Qualified Professional (QP/QMHP), which may require a master’s in a human services field plus supervised experience.
- Complete continuing education:
- To keep current on changes in the field, or to keep your NC license current, you may be required to complete continuing education hours. To advance your career or meet certain certification requirements, professional development through workshops or certificate programs in mental health, substance abuse or gerontology may meet requirements.
Cost of living in NC
The Cost of Living Index rated North Carolina at 97.8, meaning if the national average is 100, North Carolina is 2.2% lower, making it a relatively affordable state to reside in.
However, expenses can vary significantly across different cities. Raleigh-Cary and Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia are among the more expensive areas, reflecting higher housing and living costs.
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:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: The state agency supports healthcare and human services professionals, educators and students across NC. Professionals can find networking, licensing, conferences, professional development and advocacy resources.
North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NC): NASW-NC supports social workers and human services professionals involved in mental health, child/family services, substance use and community work. They offer licensing support, ethics consultations, CEU opportunities and legislative advocacy.
North Carolina Council of Community Programs (NCCCP): Supports agencies and professionals working in mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use services. Members include local management entities, managed care organizations and providers.
North Carolina Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NCADSP): Advocates for direct support professionals (DSPs) working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
A career in human services in North Carolina may be shaped by location, specialization and career choices. While wages may not always be as high as other states, the lower cost of living in many cities and towns may help stretch salaries. Use our salary guide to help you make an informed decision about education choices and pay and entering into a career designed to help others.