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Job outlook for direct support associates in the United States
Direct support associate job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected direct support associate job growth rate is 36% from 2018-2028.
About 1,185,800 new jobs for direct support associates are projected over the next decade.
Direct support associate salaries have increased 26% for direct support associates in the last 5 years.
There are over 198,061 direct support associates currently employed in the United States.
There are 111,451 active direct support associate job openings in the US.
The average direct support associate salary is $29,934.
Are direct support associate jobs in demand?
Yes, direct support associate jobs are in demand. Direct support associate demand is projected to grow 36% from 2018 to 2028.
Direct support associate job and salary trends over time
Compare the number of direct support associate jobs and the average direct support associate salary over time.
Direct support associate jobs over time
Direct support associate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 198,061 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 194,285 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 230,636 | 0.07% |
| 2018 | 878,784 | 0.26% |
| 2017 | 810,196 | 0.25% |
Average direct support associate salary over time
Direct support associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $29,934 | $14.39 | +7.2% |
| 2025 | $27,911 | $13.42 | +7.4% |
| 2024 | $25,995 | $12.50 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $24,999 | $12.02 | +5.4% |
| 2022 | $23,722 | $11.40 | +4.5% |
Direct support associate jobs by state
The map below shows you the number of direct support associate job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where direct support associates earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
Average salary: Job openings:
Most common states for direct support associates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 175 | 20% |
| 2 | Delaware | 961,939 | 187 | 19% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,249 | 18% |
| 4 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 513 | 18% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 2,126 | 17% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,234 | 17% |
| 7 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,040 | 17% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 949 | 17% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,460 | 15% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 307 | 15% |
| 11 | New York | 19,849,399 | 2,833 | 14% |
| 12 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 689 | 14% |
| 13 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 419 | 14% |
| 14 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 182 | 14% |
| 15 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 374 | 13% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 99 | 13% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,884 | 12% |
| 18 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,059 | 12% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 373 | 12% |
| 20 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 558 | 11% |
Most common cities for direct support associates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | 1 | 4% | $32,906 |
| 2 | North Haven | 1 | 4% | $33,212 |
| 3 | Cheshire | 1 | 3% | $33,109 |
| 4 | East Haven | 1 | 3% | $33,286 |
| 5 | Monroe | 1 | 3% | $27,077 |
| 6 | Newington | 1 | 3% | $32,941 |
| 7 | Attleboro | 1 | 2% | $31,538 |
| 8 | Barnstable Town | 1 | 2% | $31,736 |
| 9 | Bristol | 1 | 2% | $32,949 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | 1 | 2% | $31,128 |
| 11 | Manchester | 1 | 2% | $32,870 |
| 12 | Middletown | 1 | 2% | $33,079 |
| 13 | New Haven | 1 | 1% | $33,268 |
| 14 | Minneapolis | 1 | 0% | $28,738 |
| 15 | Philadelphia | 1 | 0% | $31,659 |