Social Services

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts employment in community and social service occupations will grow by faster than the average for all occupations through 2033. Employment of social workers in all areas will grow faster than the average in the coming years, with an overall rise of 7 percent through 2033. Competition for jobs in cities will be high due to the number of qualified candidates, but openings in rural areas may be easier to obtain. The steadily increasing elderly population will keep demand high for health and social service workers who specialize in helping senior citizens.

Most communities recognize the importance of social services as new social problems develop every day. Most social programs require government funding to continue operating, and bureaucracy and budget cuts can make it difficult to keep a social service running. New initiatives in job retraining and welfare reform could brighten prospects for social services workers, but much depends on government policies.

Opportunities for private social workers or social workers in the private sector are expected to grow, particularly in the areas of mental health substance abuse. Jobs for school social workers are predicted to grow about as fast as average. School social workers' assistance and support will continue to be needed as more schools integrate children with disabilities into the general school population. Health care social workers will also be in high demand through 2033, due to the growth of the aging population and the help they will need with lifestyle adjustments, medications, and treatments.

As client groups change, so will social services. For example, as the gay, lesbian, and transgender population continue to assert their civil rights and seek legislation protecting them from discrimination, the social services worker will become more involved in providing them advocacy and legal aid. Changes in immigration policies also will change the kinds of social services available to legal and illegal immigrants. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has highlighted social services as essential services for people and their communities, particularly in areas most affected by the virus. Social services workers had to rapidly shift to providing services through various methods, including through online meetings and sessions. Some of these changes in methods have continued post pandemic, such as providing services remotely through video. As one social services professional put it, "This pandemic has exposed the fragility of nearly every aspect of society. ... It has reveal preexisting conditions–from micro to meta–that contributed to and intensified the effects of inequities. Social work has not been immune to this exposure."

According to a report by the research group IBISWorld, the health care and social assistance industry in the United States was valued at $4.1 trillion in revenue as of February 2025. This industry has experienced annual growth of 3.1 percent from 2019 through 2024, and revenue in 2025 alone was predicted to grow by 3.2 percent over the previous year. The market size of the U.S. social services industry is projected to continue growing through 2030. As described in the report, "Healthcare and social assistance facilities are vital to public health. No alternatives can replace the role of medical and social services, eliminating opportunities for external competition."