Human Services Degree Programs in New Orleans, LA (2026)
Quick answer: The New Orleans metro employs about 530 social and community service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state human services or behavioral health agency.
Compare human services programs enrolling now:
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Human services itself is unlicensed - that is the practical difference from social work. The credentials that stack on top are state-specific: peer support certification, behavioral technician registries, case management certifications and the substance use disorder counseling tiers, each with its own training-hour requirements.
See the Louisiana licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state human services or behavioral health agency.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Social and Community Service Managers Earn in New Orleans
Social and Community Service Managers in the New Orleans area earn a median $86,290 per year, above the national median of $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Human Services Pay in New Orleans, LA
| Metric | New Orleans metro | Louisiana | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $86,290 | $82,090 | $80,390 |
| 10th percentile | $54,380 | $56,010 | $53,150 |
| 25th percentile | $67,760 | $67,020 | $64,290 |
| 75th percentile | $107,130 | $100,970 | $103,200 |
| 90th percentile | $135,390 | $126,320 | $132,260 |
| Employment | 530 | 2,680 | 209,330 |
| Location quotient | 0.89 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The New Orleans median of $86,290 is above the national median of $80,390, and above the Louisiana statewide median of $82,090 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.89 means social and community service managers are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Agency work exists where the agencies are: community mental health centers, county human services departments, aging services and residential programs all hire locally.
Other Louisiana Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $85,880 | 1,130 |
| Shreveport | $75,910 | 130 |
| Lafayette | $75,010 | 120 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do social and community service managers make in New Orleans?
The median annual wage for social and community service managers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $86,290, above the national median of $80,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many social and community service managers work in the New Orleans area?
The New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area employs about 530 social and community service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do social and community service managers in New Orleans need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Human services itself is unlicensed - that is the practical difference from social work. The credentials that stack on top are state-specific: peer support certification, behavioral technician registries, case management certifications and the substance use disorder counseling tiers, each with its own training-hour requirements. Confirm current requirements with your state human services or behavioral health agency.
Can I study human services online from New Orleans?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state human services or behavioral health agency.
Is New Orleans a better market than the rest of Louisiana?
The New Orleans metro median is $86,290 against a statewide median of $82,090 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Human Services degree programs in Louisiana - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Human Services programs and how to choose one
- Substance Abuse Counselor career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Social and Community Service Managers (SOC 11-9151), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.