Nonprofit shelters serve a variety of individuals including youth, those working through substance abuse problems, the homeless and women. Counselors, intake coordinators and directors are some of the positions that shelters hire for on a regular basis. These human and social service employees keep shelters running. The salaries of employees in shelters are generally not high. However, benefits at nonprofit organizations can be a perk to those seeking more of a work-life balance than a high salary.
Counselors
Counselors may work with a caseload of individuals in the shelter, helping them locate resources and services in the community that can help them find a more permanent housing situation. They provide guidance and advice to their clients about their situations. Counselor positions usually require having a college degree and a state license. Counselors' pay is often on the low side. For example, a counselor position for the Downtown Emergency Service Center in Seattle paid between $10.97 and $12.65 per hour, as of August 2011, but it only required a high school diploma or the equivalent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual salary of a mental health counselor in the United States was $41,360 per year as of May 2010, and that substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earned $40,810 per year. Vocational counselors earned an average of $55,970 per year.
Social Workers
Similar to counselors, social workers are typically licensed by a professional organization and the state. Social workers working with mental health and substance abuse clients in shelters earned an average of $41,880 per year as of May 2010, according to the BLS. The lowest 10 percent earned up to $25,210 per year, and the 25th percentile made up to $30,870. The 75th percentile made up to $50,420, and the 90th percentile made over $63,460. Children, school and family social workers had an average annual salary of $43,850. The 10th percentile earned up to $26,170, the 25th up to $32,270, the 75th up to $32,270 and the 90th over $68,030 per year.
Intake Coordinators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' definition of social and human services assistants includes intake coordinators. They ensure applicants for shelters meet eligibility requirements and tell community service providers about the shelter's program. The average annual salary of a social and human services assistant as of May 2010, according to the BLS, was $30,100 or $14.47 per hour. The lowest 25 percent earned up to $22,510, and the middle 50 percent earned between $22,511 and $35,770. The upper 25 percent earned more than $35,771.
Managers
Shelter managers oversee the daily operation of the facility. The educational and experiential requirements for each manager position will vary. Typically, however, some experience working with the shelter's client population is required. For example, a position for an assistant manager of a single men and women's shelter in Columbus, Ohio paid between $14 and $18 per hour, as of August 2011. This position required a year of supervisory experience, and at least a year of experience working in residential services or with the homeless population. The only educational requirement was a high school diploma or the equivalent.
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