Social and Human Service Assistant Salary in Washington, DC
Social and Human Service Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $48,370 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,309 take-home, or $3,276 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median social and human service assistant salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,624
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,999
- Medicare (1.45%)$701
- District of Columbia income tax$1,736
- Take-home pay$39,309
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Social and Human Service Assistant pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,780 | $18.16 | $31,435 | $2,620 |
| 25th percentile | $43,150 | $20.75 | $35,428 | $2,952 |
| Median (50th) | $48,370 | $23.25 | $39,309 | $3,276 |
| 75th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 | $47,988 | $3,999 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,250 | $35.22 | $57,047 | $4,754 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,370 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median social and human service assistant's $39,309 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,102 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Social and Human Service Assistant jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.88).
Best-paying cities for social and human service assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #24 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $58,090 | $48,855 | $43,961 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $49,150 | $41,672 | $42,494 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $45,860 | $37,810 | $40,857 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $53,810 | $43,439 | $40,723 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $46,550 | $38,239 | $39,959 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $39,955 |
| 7 | Syracuse, NY | $47,330 | $38,251 | $39,952 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $46,100 | $39,221 | $39,767 |
| 24 | Washington, DC | $48,370 | $39,309 | $36,102 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: social and human service assistants
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social and human service assistant make in Washington, DC?
The median social and human service assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $48,370 a year, or about $23.25 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,150 and $60,070.
What is a social and human service assistant’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $48,370 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $39,309 a year ($3,276 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,736 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a social and human service assistant?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $45,930. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,102 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #24 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a social and human service assistant afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median social and human service assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.