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That's difficult to answer precisely, because human services can cover a wide range of different occupations and employers. For example, if you go into social work, you can work in pediatrics, in mental and public health, or with people who suffer from substance abuse. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social workers in the mental and public health field earn the highest median income, at $43,040 (2006).

This would probably be a good time to discuss median salary statistics. It's natural for students and job seekers to look to those statistics for their own income expectations, but it's important to understand the variables. First of all, pay scales depend greatly on where you live, what type of employer you apply to, and the general hiring environment. Second, keep in mind that median income statistics are based on all practitioners in that occupation, meaning they represent all experience levels. Thus, these figures are not representative of what an entry-level applicant can expect.

The best way to get a realistic income expectation is to scan the Internet for jobs in your field. Not only can this give you an idea of what entry-level jobs are paying in your part of the country, but it may also introduce you to specific employers and locations for when you begin your real job search.