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Job outlook for direct care counselors in the United States
Direct care counselor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected direct care counselor job growth rate is 36% from 2018-2028.
About 1,185,800 new jobs for direct care counselors are projected over the next decade.
Direct care counselor salaries have increased 26% for direct care counselors in the last 5 years.
There are over 225,658 direct care counselors currently employed in the United States.
There are 123,519 active direct care counselor job openings in the US.
The average direct care counselor salary is $33,422.
Are direct care counselor jobs in demand?
Direct care counselor job and salary trends over time
Direct care counselor jobs over time
Direct care counselor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225,658 | 0.07% |
| 2020 | 223,542 | 0.07% |
| 2019 | 257,825 | 0.08% |
| 2018 | 893,082 | 0.27% |
| 2017 | 823,415 | 0.25% |
Average direct care counselor salary over time
Direct care counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,422 | $16.07 | +7.2% |
| 2025 | $31,164 | $14.98 | +7.4% |
| 2024 | $29,025 | $13.95 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $27,913 | $13.42 | +5.4% |
| 2022 | $26,487 | $12.73 | +4.5% |
Direct care counselor jobs by state
Most common states for direct care counselors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 325 | 34% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 225 | 32% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,103 | 31% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,727 | 31% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 233 | 31% |
| 6 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 275 | 26% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 741 | 24% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 312 | 23% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 284 | 21% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 219 | 21% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 129 | 21% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,521 | 20% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 170 | 20% |
| 14 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,147 | 19% |
| 15 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,142 | 19% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,266 | 18% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,043 | 18% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 342 | 18% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 106 | 18% |
| 20 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 307 | 17% |
Most common cities for direct care counselors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | 2 | 3% | $34,712 |
| 2 | Newark | 1 | 3% | $31,525 |
| 3 | Columbia | 1 | 1% | $25,177 |
| 4 | Iowa City | 1 | 1% | $30,467 |
| 5 | Miami | 1 | 0% | $29,334 |
Direct Care Counselor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of direct care counselor experts
University of Indianapolis
Columbia International University
Lancaster Bible College
University of the Virgin Islands
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
What will help Direct Care Counselors increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Dr. Charla Davis
Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical TrainingUniversity of Indianapolis
College of Applied Behavioral Sciences-Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology
What experience really stands out on Direct Care Counselor resumes?
Dr. Charla Davis: All practicum experiences really stand out and will tell a future employer the exact experiences the student has had and that is why it is important to keep a well-documented curriculum vitae rather than a resume.
What general advice would you give to a Direct Care Counselor?
Dr. Seth Scott Ph.D.: Start by eating the vegetables, which means doing the hardest stuff first. Stretch yourself at the beginning of your career where struggle and failure are expected and you have the support and guidance you need to learn and grow beyond what you think is your capacity. By starting with the hardest stuff, you increase your confidence in your capacity and competence, allowing you to build the muscles of self-awareness and job skill you will need to choose your career path in the future.
Melissa Boas
Director of Professional School Counseling, Assistant ProfessorLancaster Bible College
Counseling & Social Work Department
What Direct Care Counselor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Boas: I believe the most important skill to enhance if taking a gap year is self-awareness. Understanding oneself and why and how self-awareness directly relates to future career decision making is instrumental in ensuring the right decisions are made. Self-awareness is extremely beneficial in all areas of life not just in choosing a career pathway.
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education and Program CoordinatorUniversity of the Virgin Islands
School of Education, Master of Arts in School Counseling (MASC) Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Direct Care Counselors?
Xuri Maurice Allen Ph.D.: I think there will be an enduring impact from the coronavirus pandemic on graduates. The scope, magnitude, and ramifications of the pandemic have called for the creation of new, innovative ways to deliver comprehensive school counseling services and the enhancement of pre-existing means of service delivery by being creative and flexible. Graduates' ability to be innovative, creative, and flexible is an expectation now and will have a significant impact on their work as professional school counselors.
Another enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates is the need to be "comfortable" and familiar with electronic, digital, and virtual technologies that facilitate school counseling. It is imperative that school counselors of today and the future demonstrate prowess in utilizing appropriate technological modalities. I think a third enduring impact will be a heightened awareness among school counselors to be empathic/empathetic when providing services to students, a hallmark core condition in counseling.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to a Direct Care Counselor?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Direct Care Counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.