Social and Community Service Managers Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of a social service program or community outreach organization. Oversee the program or organization's budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Work may involve directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia DC | $101,240 | $48.67/hr | $63,713 | 2,920 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #2 | Washington WA | $98,727 | $47.47/hr | $87,524 | 3,130 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 112.8 |
| #3 | Colorado CO | $95,430 | $45.88/hr | $81,424 | 2,360 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 117.2 |
| #4 | Alaska AK | $92,885 | $44.66/hr | $75,577 | 480 | Anchorage, AK | 122.9 |
| #5 | New Jersey NJ | $90,246 | $43.39/hr | $76,415 | 870 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 118.1 |
| #6 | Virginia VA | $88,472 | $42.54/hr | $77,335 | 1,920 | Richmond, VA | 114.4 |
| #7 | Michigan MI | $88,013 | $42.32/hr | $90,177 | 4,480 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 97.6 |
| #8 | Oregon OR | $87,657 | $42.14/hr | $72,926 | 3,110 | Salem, OR | 120.2 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Social and Community Service Managers: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Social and Community Service Managers. Official 2026 economic data for Social and Community Service Managers compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Social and Community Service Managers range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Social and Community Service Managers: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Social and Community Service Managers is $80,390 per year ($38.65/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 384 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $55,450 in Fort Smith, AR-OK to $110,570 in Lansing-East Lansing, MI.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Social and Community Service Managers
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $110,570 | +37.5% |
| Salem, OR | $110,210 | +37.1% |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $108,380 | +34.8% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $106,400 | +32.4% |
| Richmond, VA | $104,070 | +29.5% |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $103,890 | +29.2% |
| Walla Walla, WA | $103,740 | +29.0% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $101,310 | +26.0% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $101,240 | +25.9% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,570 | +25.1% |
| Yakima, WA | $100,510 | +25.0% |
| Boulder, CO | $100,160 | +24.6% |