The Best Social Services Jobs of 2016
These jobs involve working with people and helping others.
Workers in these professions dedicate their careers to helping others, whether it's serving food at the local diner or coaching drug addicts through their recovery process. For professionals interested in pursuing a job in the social services, these 25 careers ranked the highest among the U.S. News 2016 Best Jobs rankings.
25. Waiter and Waitress
Median Salary: $18,730
Unemployment Rate: 8.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 68,900
These food industry workers interact with restaurant patrons, taking orders, making recommendations and serving meals.
Learn more about waiters and waitresses.
24. Maid and Housekeeper
Median Salary: $20,120
Unemployment Rate: 8.7 percent
Expected Job Openings: 111,700
Maids and housekeepers mop, tidy up and disinfect living spaces, including hotels, motels and private residences.
Learn more about maids and housekeepers.
23. Security Guard
Median Salary: $24,410
Unemployment Rate: 8.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 55,500
Security guards keep a watchful eye, guarding against fire, theft and other illegal and dangerous activities.
Learn more about security guards.
22. Restaurant Cook
Median Salary: $22,490
Unemployment Rate: 9.1 percent
Expected Job Openings: 158,900
These foodies sizzle, grill and whisk up meals for restaurant patrons, working quickly and efficiently under pressure.
Learn more about restaurant cooks.
21. Bartender
Median Salary: $19,050
Unemployment Rate: 6.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 60,100
These pros stir, shake and pour drinks in bars, lounges and pubs.
Learn more about bartenders .
20. Fabricator
Median Salary: $36,570
Unemployment Rate: 7.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 1,600
Fabricators assemble and build equipment and machinery.
Learn more about fabricators.
19. Political Scientist
Median Salary: $104,920
Unemployment Rate: 7.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: -100
Political scientists work in a variety of fields to research and analyze how laws and policies affect organizations and people.
Learn more about political scientists.
18. Community Health Worker
Median Salary: $34,870
Unemployment Rate: 7.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 8,100
These workers collaborate with their communities to provide health services and educate residents about wellness.
Learn more about community health workers.
17. Residential Advisor
Median Salary: $24,340
Unemployment Rate: 7.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 14,100
RAs are students who live in the residence halls of colleges and universities, organizing activities and reporting concerns and problems.
Learn more about residential advisors.
16. Delivery Truck Driver
Median Salary: $29,570
Unemployment Rate: 5.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 27,300
Delivery truck drivers transport and deliver cargo, serving businesses, campuses and private residences.
Learn more about delivery truck drivers.
15. Paralegal
Median Salary: $48,350
Unemployment Rate: 4.5 percent
Expected Job Openings: 21,200
These legal workers assist lawyers in drafting motions, summarizing reports and performing other specialized tasks.
Learn more about paralegals.
14. Bus Driver
Median Salary: $37,470
Unemployment Rate: 5.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 9,800
Bus drivers transport people from one place to another, typically driving intercity buses or school buses.
Learn more about bus drivers.
13. Mental Health Counselor
Median Salary: $40,850
Unemployment Rate: 7.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 26,400
These specialists work with clients to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders.
Learn more about mental health counselors.
12. Recreation and Fitness Worker
Median Salary: $34,980
Unemployment Rate: 4.6 percent
Expected Job Openings: 62,300
These workers include fitness instructors, camp counselors and park directors, who oversee physical activities.
Learn more about recreation and fitness workers.
11. Taxi Driver
Median Salary: $23,210
Unemployment Rate: 4.9 percent
Expected Job Openings: 30,600
Taxi drivers transport customers, taking them to airports, train stations and hotels.
Learn more about taxi drivers.
10. Hairdresser
Median Salary: $23,120
Unemployment Rate: 3.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 58,400
Good hand-eye coordination and a keen fashion sense are key for these licensed cosmetologists. They cut, style, color and treat hair for their clients, who may recognize a stellar styling job with a hefty tip.
Learn more about hairdressers.
9. School Counselor
Median Salary: $53,370
Unemployment Rate: 3.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 22,500
School counselors interact with students, helping them navigate day-to-day activites, apply to college or pick a career path.
Learn more about school counselors.
8. Child and Family Social Worker
Median Salary: $42,120
Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 19,000
These professionals aim to improve the lives of children dealing with a range of issues from homelessness to abuse and illness.
Learn more about child and family social workers.
7. Patrol Officer
Median Salary: $56,810
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 34,200
Officers patrol, write reports and protect the communities in which they serve.
Learn more about patrol officers.
6. Nail Technician
Median Salary: $19,620
Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 11,700
These workers must complete a cosmetology program to file, shape, trim and polish fingernails and toenails.
Learn more about nail technicians.
5. Clinical Social Worker
Median Salary: $51,930
Unemployment Rate: 3.4 percent
Expected Job Openings: 30,900
A clinical social worker focuses on the social aspects of medical problems, including how we feel about a diagnosis and cope with health-related stress.
Learn more about clinical social workers.
4. Lawyer
Median Salary: $114,970
Unemployment Rate: 1.2 percent
Expected Job Openings: 43,800
From courtroom sweet-talkers to tax buffs, lawyers advise and represent clients in criminal or civil legal matters.
Learn more about lawyers.
3. Marriage and Family Therapist
Median Salary: $48,040
Unemployment Rate: 3.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 5,000
These professionals help couples and families resolve conflicts and work through mental and emotional disorders.
Learn more about marriage and family therapists.
2. School Psychologist
Median Salary: $68,900
Unemployment Rate: 1.8 percent
Expected Job Openings: 30,500
These in-school workers diagnose and treat students with learning disabilities and behavioral and emotional problems.
Learn more about school psychologists.
1. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor
Median Salary: $39,270
Unemployment Rate: 3.3 percent
Expected Job Openings: 21,200
These counselors help patients work their way through problems related to addiction and behavioral disorders, including eating disorders, alcoholism and drug abuse.
Learn more about substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Susannah Snider is the Careers editor at U.S. News. She previously covered paying for college and graduate school. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at ssnider@usnews.com.
