By: All Psychology Schools Staff
Updated: January 16, 2026
Human services salaries in Ohio
Ohio is a promising state for human services professionals due to its high demand for social workers, substance abuse counselors and youth mental health counselors.
Here are three compelling reasons to pursue a career in human services in Ohio—along with how the state’s opioid crisis underscores the need for dedicated professionals:
Growing local demand:
Behavioral‐health workforce shortages remain critical, especially in youth mental health. A task force in Cuyahoga County reported urgent staffing gaps and emphasized retention and expansion efforts. Columbus and surrounding metro areas are among the fastest-growing regions in the nation for community and social service occupations.
Make a tangible community impact:
Human services roles are essential in supporting youth, families, vulnerable adult, and individuals struggling with mental health or substance use disorders—especially in under-resourced rural and urban areas. Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services operates crucial programs in child protection, adult services and workforce assistance, all staffed by human services professionals.
Career stability:
Human services may offer job stability, with roles funded through state and federal programs. There are increasing investments in workforce support—higher pay, peer networks and professional training, which are being advocated to retain underpaid staff, said Axios Cleveland.
Quick view of human services roles in Ohio
There are many job titles that fall under the human services umbrella in Ohio and nationally, but for this salary page we’ll focus on career fields in human services assisting and substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling.
What human services roles does Ohio need most?
Human services workers—specifically those in substance abuse, behavioral and mental health fields—play critical roles in delivering medication‑assisted treatment, coordinating Quick Response Teams, and offering counseling, housing navigation and recovery support. Without sufficient staffing in these areas, prevention and recovery efforts suffer, affecting thousands of Ohioans. Some facts about Ohio:
- As of January 2025, Ohio tied for sixth in the nation for painkiller misuse, said NBC4.
- Ohio remains in the top 10 for overdose death rates—approximately 48 deaths per 100,000 people—placing it 7th nationally, said American Addiction Centers.
These statistics mean that treatment, prevention, case management, peer support and community outreach roles are more vital than ever to address Ohio’s epidemic.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported 730 people are employed as community and social service specialists in Ohio, 11,170 as human services assistants and 16,690 people work as substance abuse, behavioral or mental health counselors. The median wage per hour for human service assistants in Ohio is $18, while substance abuse, behavioral and mental health counselors made a median hourly wage of $28.
How does Ohio support its human services workers?
Ohio supports its human services workers through a combination of union representation, state-funded benefits and efforts to improve workforce conditions. Many public-sector human services employees—such as those working in child welfare, behavioral health or social services—are represented by unions such as the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA), which advocates for fair wages, manageable caseloads and improved working conditions.
The state also offers comprehensive benefits packages, including healthcare, paid leave, retirement plans and access to professional development. In response to workforce shortages and burnout, Ohio has initiated efforts to improve retention, such as funding for staff wellness programs and pay increases tied to experience or certification.
Some counties have adopted scheduled pay reviews or bonus systems to help retain workers in high-demand roles such as mental health counseling or addiction support. Overall, Ohio is actively investing in and advocating for its human services workforce.
Who employs health services workers in Ohio?
Here are five of the top employers of human services workers across Ohio, spanning healthcare, youth services, administrative agencies and education:
- Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland:
- As Ohio’s largest healthcare employer, it staffs over 40,000 and is a top source of social workers, case managers, substance use specialists and behavioral health counselors.
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus:
- Among the nation’s largest pediatric hospitals, employing over 15,000 across 50 Ohio locations. Its workforce includes child welfare advocates, pediatric social workers and family support specialists.
- MetroHealth System, Cleveland:
- A public academic medical center with nearly 9,000 employees, known for its trauma care and significant behavioral health, case management and social services teams.
- OhioHealth, Central Ohio:
- This nonprofit network of 16 hospitals and 300+ outpatient sites employs over 35,000, including a wide swath of human services professionals—from patient navigators to mental health therapists.
- Kettering Health, Western Ohio:
- A faith-based nonprofit system in western Ohio with 12,000 staff across nine hospitals, including behavioral medicine services that employ a range of human service practitioners.
Salary stats for Ohio human services roles
While BLS national median salaries for social and human services assistants rested at $45,930 a year, with substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counseling salaries at $59,550, pay may vary depending upon where you work, employer type, cost of living where you live, how much experience you have and your level of education.
With that in mind, here’s how Ohio’s median pay for certain human services jobs ranks against the national medians:
| Human services field | Median annual national pay | Median Ohio annual pay |
|---|---|---|
| Community and social service specialists | $56,730 | $45,980 |
| Social and human services assistants | $45,930 | $38,390 |
| Substance abuse, mental health and behavioral counselors | $59,350 | $58,360 |
What are salaries like within Ohio for human services professionals?
Based on BLS data, here’s how Ohio’s urban areas compare in compensation for human services roles—focusing mainly on social workers and human service assistants:
Metro areas paying above Ohio’s median
Columbus:
The BLS reported a 22.15% federal locality pay adjustment for Columbus, indicating that government human services positions here earn significantly above the state average.
Cleveland-Akron:
Cleveland is home to large systems like Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, known to offer competitive wages that are often above state average.
Cincinnati:
With similar employer landscapes to Cleveland and metropolitan locality pay schedules, Cincinnati tends to mirror those higher-than-median wages.
Areas earning below Ohio’s median include rural and smaller metro areas such as Lima, Mansfield and Youngstown.
Here’s what the BLS said human services assistants, substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral counselors and community and social service specialists earned in the state:
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
10%$30,130
25%$38,100
50%$45,980Median
75%$73,400
90%$95,120
Median Hourly Wage$22
Job growth5.5%
Total Employment820
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $74,800 | $33,390 | $104,290 |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,780 | $29,790 | $68,830 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $43,290 | $30,130 | $78,750 |
| Akron, OH | $38,820 | $29,330 | $58,780 |
| Toledo, OH | $38,540 | $29,120 | $46,590 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 median salary; projected job growth through 2035. 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%$30,250
25%$35,090
50%$38,390Median
75%$46,760
90%$52,570
Median Hourly Wage$18
Job growth7.4%
Total Employment10,970
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, OH | $42,190 | $30,550 | $54,170 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $41,800 | $31,530 | $59,330 |
| Cleveland, OH | $39,780 | $28,900 | $50,430 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $38,170 | $31,070 | $49,390 |
| Lima, OH | $37,560 | $30,220 | $48,460 |
| Akron, OH | $37,530 | $31,130 | $52,000 |
| Toledo, OH | $37,290 | $30,940 | $52,810 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $36,960 | $28,870 | $43,990 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $36,750 | $29,820 | $46,080 |
| Springfield, OH | $35,780 | $27,590 | $54,060 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 median salary; projected job growth through 2035. 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%$39,010
25%$47,660
50%$58,360Median
75%$68,850
90%$83,730
Median Hourly Wage$28
Job growth18.4%
Total Employment18,020
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron, OH | $60,030 | $39,670 | $87,520 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $59,790 | $38,760 | $84,870 |
| Cleveland, OH | $59,630 | $39,300 | $79,650 |
| Columbus, OH | $59,370 | $40,840 | $88,500 |
| Sandusky, OH | $58,570 | $46,070 | $86,870 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,520 | $39,000 | $81,810 |
| Toledo, OH | $58,190 | $39,380 | $87,400 |
| Lima, OH | $57,230 | $36,820 | $69,670 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $56,640 | $37,390 | $82,310 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $56,090 | $37,250 | $86,930 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 median salary; projected job growth through 2035. 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 Ohio
The salary range for behavioral, substance abuse and mental health counselors in Ohio typically spans from $39,010 for the lowest 10% to well over $83,730 for the upper 10% of professionals in the field per year. Human services assistants were paid $30,250 for the lowest 10% to well over $52,570 for the upper 10% of the field.
For human services workers in Ohio—specifically social and human service assistants—placement in the lowest 10% vs. the highest 10% (90th percentile) salary range generally depends on a combination of education, experience, certifications and type of employer. Here’s a breakdown based on BLS data and state-specific trends:
Lowest 10% characteristics
- Education: High school diploma or limited postsecondary education, such as some community college coursework without a certificate or degree
- Experience: Entry-level or less than one year of experience
- Job type: Supportive or clerical roles with minimal direct client interaction or low complexity
- Employer: Often small nonprofits, underfunded rural agencies or entry-level state jobs without union affiliation
- Certifications: None or only basic, such as CPR
Highest 10% (90th percentile) characteristics
- Education: Associate degree or bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology, social work or a related field
- Experience: 5+ years of direct client service, supervision or program coordination
- Specializations: Work in high-demand areas such as substance abuse, child welfare or mental health
- Employer: Large urban hospitals, university systems, state agencies or unionized county human services departments
- Certifications: May hold credentials such as Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA), QMHS (Qualified Mental Health Specialist) or other state-recognized certifications
- Additional factors: Supervisory duties, bilingual abilities or grant/program administration experience may also put workers into the top 10%
What is the job growth for the field?
Employment of human services roles is expected to grow 7.4% through 2035, which is faster than the national average for all occupations, however these jobs are largely influenced by factors such as:
- Industry expansion: The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services projects that the healthcare and social assistance sector will add 86,000+ jobs by 2030, a 10.6% increase from 2020 levels—making it the fastest-growing service industry in the state.
- Demographic shifts and population needs: Ohio faces a sluggish population decline in its working-age cohort (–5.5% projected by 2030) alongside a rapidly aging population. As the number of seniors aged 65+ grows, demand rises for caregiving, health navigation and social support services—areas where human services workers are essential.
O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS, stated that human services assistants would have a 6% projected job growth rate in Ohio through 2032, which ranked the field’s growth slower than average, adding around 1,480 positions.
National employment numbers for human service assistants by metro area
Factors affecting human services salaries in Ohio
The top factors that affect a human services worker’s salary in Ohio are:
- Education:
- Workers with a bachelor’s or associate degree in fields like social work, psychology or human services likely earn more than those with only a high school diploma.
- Experience:
- Salary tends to increase with years of direct client service, particularly in roles requiring independent work, supervision or case management.
- Employer type:
- Government agencies, large hospital systems and unionized positions typically pay more than small nonprofits or rural employers.
- Specialization or job role:
- Roles that deal with substance abuse, child welfare, crisis response or mental health may come with higher pay due to greater risk, responsibility or demand. Workers in supervisory, outreach coordination or clinical-support roles such as behavioral health techs typically earn more than generalist or assistant-level staff.
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 education is required to become a human services assistant?
The basic education path to a human services job in Ohio—such as a social and human service assistant—typically begins with a high school diploma or GED, though many employers prefer or require at least an associate degree in human services, psychology, social work or a related field.
Entry-level roles may also accept candidates who have completed a short-term certificate or training program, especially in areas like substance abuse support or mental health.
Advancement within the field often involves earning additional certifications such as the CDCA–Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant, or QMHS–Qualified Mental Health Specialist, and gaining several years of direct client experience.
From there, workers can move into higher-paying and more specialized positions such as case manager, behavioral health technician, peer recovery supporter, substance abuse counselor or even program coordinator.
With a bachelor’s or master’s degree, professionals may transition into licensed social work, clinical mental health counseling, or supervisory roles within state and nonprofit agencies.
Cost of living in Ohio
The Cost of Living Index rated Ohio at 94.2, meaning if the national average is 100, Ohio’s cost of living is around 5.8% lower, making it a more affordable state to reside in.
However, expenses can vary significantly across different cities. Columbus, Cincinnati and Cleveland are the three most expensive areas, reflecting higher housing costs—and overall living costs such as groceries, transportation and utilities—remain notably higher.
Resources for Ohio human services professionals
The following organizations support Ohio’s human services workforce by advocating for better working conditions and funding, offering professional development opportunities and serving as collective voices in legislative and budget priorities:
National Association of Social Workers–Ohio Chapter (NASWOH): The Ohio chapter of the NASW represents more than 4,300 social work professionals statewide. It advocates for fair compensation, manageable caseloads and workplace safety across public and private sectors. NASW‑OH also offers continuing education, networking events, malpractice insurance and a unified voice in policy discussions at the state and federal levels.
The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers: A statewide trade and advocacy association representing community-based behavioral health, substance abuse and family service providers, the Council promotes policy solutions, Medicaid reform and workforce development initiatives. It also offers training, conferences and legislative advocacy to improve service quality and provider sustainability.
A career in human services in Ohio may be shaped by location, education, licensing and career specialization. While wages may not be as high as other states, the lower cost of living in many Ohio cities and towns may help salaries stretch further. Use our salary guide to help make an informed decision about your education choices, salary and criteria for entering into a career field designed to help others.