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What is a developmental aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a developmental aide. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.05 an hour? That's $43,780 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 36% and produce 1,185,800 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreDevelopmental AideUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,780

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.0

Growth rate 36%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.26%

Asian 8.61%

Black or African American 11.89%

Hispanic or Latino 16.83%

Unknown 4.47%

White 56.94%

Gender

female 74.44%

male 25.56%

Age - 50
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50
Stress level
8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
9.6

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Developmental aide career paths

Key steps to become a developmental aide

  1. Explore developmental aide education requirements

    Most common developmental aide degrees

    Associate

    33.7 %

    Bachelor's

    29.1 %

    High School Diploma

    21.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific developmental aide skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Developmental Disabilities21.10%
    CPR17.86%
    Meal Preparation8.35%
    Group Homes7.77%
    Mental Health4.69%
  3. Research developmental aide duties and responsibilities

    • Perform medical documentation and emotionally/ intellectually stimulating ADL programmatic while delivering exemplary patient care.
    • Certify to administer medication, CPR, AMAP and SCIIP.
    • Support residential clients in completing tasks such as toileting, brushing teeth and general hygiene (ADL).
    • Certify to give clients medication, CPR first aid, a map and skip a form of restraint for violence clients.
  4. Prepare your developmental aide resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your developmental aide resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a developmental aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable developmental aide resume templates

    Build a professional developmental aide resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your developmental aide resume.
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
    Developmental Aide Resume
  5. Apply for developmental aide jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a developmental aide job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first developmental aide job

Zippi

Are you a developmental aide?

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Average developmental aide salary

The average developmental aide salary in the United States is $43,780 per year or $21 per hour. Developmental aide salaries range between $33,000 and $57,000 per year.

Average developmental aide salary
$43,780 Yearly
$21.05 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do developmental aides rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

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1 star

Developmental aide reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Cons

The scheduling can change at anytime. There are always shortage of workers to cover shifts especially overnight shifts. You can get stuck on a shift any given day. The people you work with has more issues than the people you are hired for to take care of. They can be lazy!!!


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

The individual's are entertaining and loving. They do have their moments like any other person but when the individuals are having a good day it shows. They always look for validation from the staff when they are doing a good job. There is always something different to expect everyday. You really have to love what you do because it can be stressful but also rewarding.

Cons

The staffing is the least of my favorite. The staff can be lazy and do not can not accept change


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

Working as a Direct Care Professional, * I like most helping others with different disabilities. * I like most seeing each individual achieve their highest level of achievement. * I like most listing and learning different things from each individual. * I like most hearing the individuals say when they TRUST you, “ hey momma “ * I like most seeing each individual including staff happy; however, if not working together as a team in a positive way to improve the current situation to create a happier and healthier work environment.

Cons

Working as a Direct Care Professional, * I don’t like when individuals come to work just for a paycheck. * I don’t like when Individuals can’t be trusted. * I do not like when individuals are not honest * I do not like conflict, confusion, animosity


Working as a developmental aide? Share your experience anonymously.
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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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