Human Services vs. Social Work: Which Career Fits You?

The helping professions encompass a huge cross-section of jobs and careers that include people working in law enforcement, healthcare, education, social work and human services—essentially, any profession that assists others.¹ Demand for skilled professionals in these fields is on the rise, driven by a variety of factors, including a rapidly aging population, substantial unmet mental health needs and burnout within some of the more emotionally demanding professions, such as social work.^2,3,4

Social work and human services are appealing helping-profession career options, especially if you're compassionate, resourceful and looking for a career that truly makes a difference. But what's the difference between the two? Few people are confused about the difference between a doctor and a police officer, but is human services the same as social work?

The short answer is "no, but also a little bit yes." This post explores the key distinctions between these two fields—including educational pathways, typical job roles, salary expectations and which career might align better with your goals and interests.

Defining Each Field

What is the difference between human services and social work? Answering that question begins with defining some terms.

What is Human Services?

The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) describes its namesake field as "focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations."⁵ It goes on to describe "human services professional" as a "generic term for people who hold professional and paraprofessional jobs in a wide variety of social service settings."⁵

In practice, a human services professional might coordinate community food assistance programs, connect families with housing and healthcare resources, manage youth development initiatives at a nonprofit, or oversee program operations for an advocacy organization. There is a sense in which human services is a category description that includes social work, among many other types of jobs and professions in diverse fields, such as healthcare and education.

What is Social Work?

The National Association of Social Workers defines its members as professionals who "assist people by helping them cope with issues in their everyday lives, deal with their relationships and solve personal and family problems."⁶ The profession tends to focus on direct client intervention as well as counseling services and systemic advocacy. For example, a social worker might provide trauma counseling to abuse survivors, help elderly clients navigate complex healthcare and benefit systems, conduct mental health assessments, or advocate for policy changes to protect vulnerable populations such as children in foster care.

Perhaps the most significant difference between social work vs. human services is that the former is often treated as a catch-all term for a range of professions, whereas social work requires specialized training and licensure.

Educational Requirements

To pursue a career in human services, you can major in several subjects, ranging from public administration to psychology.⁷ You can also major in human services as a standalone subject. Associate and bachelor's degree programs in human services tend to cover some sociology, psychology and training in case management. A master's-level program will often add a greater focus on leadership and policy. Many human services positions don't require professional licensure, which provides a more flexible entry pathway into helping professions.

Social work is also a bachelor-level major, broadly covering a similar subject range to that of human services, with more focus on the social work discipline. For licensure, you'll generally need a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree to meet eligibility requirements. You can typically complete an MSW in two to three years, or, in the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, in as few as 18 months if you qualify for Advanced Standing based on your BSW degree and professional experience. After earning an MSW, social workers pursue clinical licensure—such as Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)—by completing supervised clinical hours and passing a licensing exam. This credential opens doors to private practice, expanded scope of practice and advanced clinical roles.

Both human services and social work attach significance to continuing education. For example, human service professionals can pursue the Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner Credential, created by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).⁸

Social workers have a range of career options to consider, including specialization in healthcare, substance abuse counseling or child and family social work. Many of the diverse roles available to social workers are often included as specialization options within an MSW program. For example, the online Master of Social Work from Yeshiva University includes optional specialization pathways in Gerontology and Palliative Care or a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certification.

Key Job Roles and Responsibilities

Human services is a versatile qualification, facilitating entry to a variety of roles, including:⁵

• Case managers, who typically assess client needs, develop individualized service plans, coordinate referrals to community resources, and monitor client progress toward goals 
• Outreach specialists, who build partnerships with community organizations, conduct needs assessments, and design programs to address identified service gaps 
• Program coordinators, who oversee day-to-day operations of social service initiatives, manage staff or volunteers, and track program outcomes 

Social work is also a field that offers a variety of opportunities and room for professional growth among its principal benefits.

• Clinical social workers provide therapy and counseling services, develop treatment plans, and often specialize in areas such as trauma, addiction, family systems or mental health 
• School social workers support students' emotional and behavioral needs, intervene in crisis situations, connect families with resources and collaborate with teachers and administrators
• Medical social workers help patients and families navigate healthcare systems, coordinate discharge planning, and provide counseling related to illness, disability or end-of-life care 

There can be considerable overlap between the two fields, especially at the entry level. For example, both a human services case manager and a BSW-level social worker might help a client experiencing homelessness access housing assistance and apply for benefits, though the social worker may also be trained to address underlying mental health or substance abuse concerns through counseling interventions.

Salary and Job Outlook

What is the difference between human services and social work in terms of salary and job prospects? Salaries are subject to many factors, including education level, experience and location. Direct salary comparisons between these fields can be challenging because human services encompasses such diverse roles—from entry-level case aides to nonprofit program directors—while social work is a more defined profession with tiered licensure levels that significantly affect earning potential.

Nonetheless, the online recruitment specialist Indeed estimates the general social worker's salary range at $43,763-$114,766, with an average salary of $70,870.⁹ Social workers with LCSW credentials, particularly those in private practice or specialized clinical settings, typically earn toward the higher end of this range. For human services grads, Indeed advises that potential jobs have a range of average salaries, such as $47,170 for a community outreach specialist or $60,232 for a behavioral therapist.¹⁰ Geographic location also plays a significant role, with professionals in urban areas and states with robust mental health and social service infrastructure often commanding higher salaries.

The overall outlook for both career pathways is positive, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS predicts a 6% increase in social work jobs between 2024 and 2034, with the same rate of growth forecast for social and human services assistants, and a whopping 11% rise in jobs for community health workers over the same period.^11,12,13

Which Career Fits You?

Deciding which career fits you comes down to matching your personality and skills with professional pathways. It can help to ask yourself some questions to evaluate your interests, goals and preferred work style.

For example:

• Are my interests community-based or more focused on individuals and small groups? 
• Do I want to advocate for policy change or work directly on a specific issue? 
• Am I drawn to providing therapy and clinical counseling, or do I prefer connecting people with resources and coordinating programs? 
• Am I willing to pursue professional licensure and meet ongoing continuing education requirements? 
• Does the possibility of private practice appeal to me? 
• Do I want to work primarily with individuals and families, or am I more interested in community-wide initiatives?

If you're drawn to clinical work, interested in providing therapy and want the option of private practice, social work with LCSW licensure is likely your path. If you prefer program coordination, and community-level work, and want flexibility without mandatory licensure requirements, human services offers diverse opportunities across many settings.

Make Your Mark: Pursue Social Work at Wurzweiler

Social work is a licensed profession, focused mainly on resolving issues for individuals or vulnerable groups. Human services professionals fill a variety of roles, but broadly tend to focus on effecting change at the community level. Regardless of which field you choose, both are helping professions with a profound commitment to providing empathetic assistance to the needy and vulnerable.

If your self-assessment answers point you toward social work, your next step is finding a program that balances academic excellence with practical preparation. The Wurzweiler online MSW program is a proven, accredited qualification that prepares you for success in whichever aspect of social work you pursue. The program's unique features, such as The Heights, a virtual neighborhood where you can practice your skills, combined with 1,200 hours of supervised practicum experience and full CSWE accreditation, provide the credentials and confidence you need to launch a meaningful career. With flexible full- and part-time options, you can complete the program in as few as 2.5 years—or in just 18 months if you qualify for Advanced Standing.

Learn more about the university's program, course info and admission requirements. When you're ready to discuss how Wurzweiler can propel you to a successful career in social work, schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor.