Employment of social and community service managers is expected to grow by 27 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.
Growth is due to the needs of an aging population. An increase in the number of older adults will result in growth in demand for social services. Elderly people often need services, such as adult day care and meal delivery. Social and community service managers, who administer programs that provide these services, will likely be needed to meet this increased demand. As a result, employment of social and community service managers is expected to grow fastest in industries serving the elderly, such as home health care services and services for the elderly and persons with disabilities. Services for the elderly and persons with disabilities are included in the individual and family services industry.
In addition, employment growth is expected as more people seek treatment for their addictions and as drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to jail. As a result, an increase is expected in demand for social and community service managers who direct treatment programs.
General increases in the population are expected to increase demand for all types of social services—resulting in increased demand for social and community service managers.
Although this occupation is expected to experience growth, it could be limited by budget cuts in state and local governments. Social and human services rely heavily on government funding, and if funding decreases, services may not grow fast enough to meet demand.
From 2010 to 2020, employment growth of social and community service managers in the industries employing most of the occupation is expected to be as follows:
| Individual and family services | 53% |
| Community and vocational rehabilitation services | 31 |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 22 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 20 |
| State and local government, excluding education and hospitals | 7 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition