Human Sciences

Human Sciences encompasses a range of careers within Family and Consumer Sciences which provide services aimed at improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. Like all Family and Consumer Sciences careers, Human Sciences is included in career and technical education (CTE) programs in K-12, secondary, and post-secondary programs. 

Individual and family services, a career pathway within Human Sciences, are the fourth fastest-growing industry overall among health sciences and human sciences careers, with a 31.4% projected increase in employment through 2032.

Below is a sampling of available careers within the Human Sciences and their related industry and employment data:
 
  • Corporate Wellness Services is a $19Bn industry employing 2k individuals. Employment in this industry is expected to increase by 1.2% from 2024-2029 and median salary is $2m.
  • Gym, Health & Fitness Clubs is a $31Bn industry employing 1m individuals. Employment in this industry is expected to increase by 2.4% from 2024-2029 and median salary is $12k
  • Counseling and Mental Health
    • The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10.6% employment growth for mental health counselors between 2022 and 2032. 18% for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.
    • Median wage: $53k
    • Mental and physical wellness counselors develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm, median salary: $62k, employment in this subsector is expected to grow by 7% from 2022-2032.
    • Adult Basic and Secondary Education Teachers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/adult-literacy-and-ged-teachers.htm, Median Salary: $60k, employment in this subsector is expected to decrease by 13% from 2022-2032.
    • Job Training & Career Counseling is a $17Bn dollar industry employing 222k individuals.
  •  Gerontology and Elder Services
    • Family and Consumer Scientists provide In-home and community services from food science and nutrition, interior design, consumer education and protection, emergency response, mental health and support, and more.
    • Elderly & Disabled Services is a 74Bn dollar industry employing 1million individuals. Employment is expected to grow by 2% from 2024-2029.
    • Adult Daycare is a 7.5Bn industry employing 280k individuals. Employment is expected to grow by 5% from 2024-2029.
    • Continuing research into age related illnesses and preventing early onset of these illnesses makes this an emerging industry for those working in Family and Consumer Sciences. In the next five years, a continued rise in the population's average age will bring stronger growth to adult day care services. Advances in medical technology and increasing life expectancy will sustain demand, boosting industry revenue as more older adults seek and maintain enrollment. The industry's growing popularity will intensify competition, prompting centers to enhance care quality to attract clients.
  •  Human Services and Community Wellbeing
    • Individual and Family Services, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_624100.htm, Includes a wide range of subsectors which closely align with Family and Consumer Sciences.
    • Home Care is a $137k industry employing 2million individuals. Employment in this industry is expected to grow by 3.8% from 2024-2029 and median salary is $31k. 
  • Individual, Family, and Social Services
    • Community and social service occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/home.htm 
      • Overall employment in community and social service occupations is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032.
    • Community Relations, average salary - $44k - $138k
    • Social services – salary - $59k-$91k
      • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm, Median Salary: $58k,  7% growth expected from 2022-2032.
    • Rehabilitation Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm, Median Salary: $44k,  2% growth expected from 2022-2032.
    • 21-1018 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm 
    • As per Precedence Research, the U.S. behavioral health market size is forecast to hit US$ 132.4 billion by 2027 with a growing CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period 2021 to 2027. https://www.biospace.com/article/u-s-behavioral-health-market-size-report-2021-to-2030/#:~:text=As%20per%20Precedence%20Research%2C%20the,forecast%20period%202021%20to%202027. 
    • The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10.6% employment growth for mental health counselors between 2022 and 2032. https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2023/article/careers-in-mental-health-services.htm
Note: Health sciences focuses on medical and healthcare services, including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and injuries. Health and Human Sciences are often referred to in combination due to the interconnectedness of those careers, centered around the person, but involve different educational pathways and skillsets.