Social and Human Service Assistants Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $38,940 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $18.72
10th percentile $30,340
90th percentile $53,880
Employed locally 230
National median $45,120

Compare Social and Human Service Assistants salary & buying power

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Social and Human Service Assistants
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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,340
    25th
    $36,160
    50th (median)
    $38,940
    75th
    $46,650
    90th
    $53,880

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Social and Human Service Assistants salary vs area income 65% Median Social and Human Service Assistants salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Social and Human Service Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,230
    Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $59,900
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $59,230
    Modesto, CA $57,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    District of Columbia $57,210

    Nearby metros — Social and Human Service Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $57,220
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $51,200
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $50,350
    Wilmington, NC $48,000
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $47,560
    Manchester-Nashua, NH $46,380

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $58,970
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $50,450
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $55,410
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $60,850
    Healthcare Social Workers $59,630
    Rehabilitation Counselors $47,510

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make per hour in Hickory?

    The median hourly wage for Social and Human Service Assistants in Hickory, NC is $18.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.63 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory above or below average for Social and Human Service Assistants salaries?

    The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in Hickory, NC is 13.7% below the national median of $45,120. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Social and Human Service Assistants in Hickory?

    Entry-level Social and Human Service Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $30,340 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,160.