Social and Human Service Assistants
Machines can already do 31% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Social and Human Service Assistants in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 31% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 437,860 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $45,930 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 86% for contact with people.
- Also called: Addictions Counselor Assistant, Advocate, Clinical Assistant, Residential Care Assistant.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients | 16% | 63% to 81% | |
| Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures | 11% | 9% to 23% | |
| Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance | 11% | 20% to 38% | |
| Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history | 8% | 50% to 72% | |
| Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions | 7% | 22% to 55% | |
| Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients | 7% | 32% to 55% | |
| Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping | 7% | 22% to 42% | |
| Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior | 5% | 63% to 81% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills social and human service assistants use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Patient Representatives49% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,290
- Speech-Language Pathology Assistants50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $48,430
- Psychiatric Technicians32% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,130
- Dental Hygienists36% of tasks by 2035 · US median $98,100
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Social and Human Service Assistants?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of social and human service assistants?
Machines can do 31% of the tasks of social and human service assistants today and 52% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 21-1093.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Social and Human Service Assistants: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/social-and-human-service-assistants/