Best cities for a direct support specialist
The best cities for direct support specialists are Reno, NV, El Paso, TX, and San Francisco, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for direct support specialists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for direct support specialists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a direct support specialist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for direct support specialists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for direct support specialists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a direct support specialist. While the absolute best city for direct support specialists is Reno, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for direct support specialists in 2024.
If you're looking for a direct support specialist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for direct support specialists in 2025
1. Reno, NV
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $47,604 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. El Paso, TX
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $48,716 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $70,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. San Francisco, CA
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,896 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. San Jose, CA
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,818 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Anchorage, AK
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $52,119 Lowest 10 percent warn: $44,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $61,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Glendale, AZ
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $48,049 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Oakland, CA
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,815 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Phoenix, AZ
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $47,990 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Fremont, CA
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,791 Lowest 10 percent warn: $38,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $86,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Chandler, AZ
Total direct support specialist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $47,858 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $69,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for direct support specialists
- Reno, NV
- El Paso, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Glendale, AZ
- Oakland, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Fremont, CA
- Chandler, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a direct support specialist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $47,604 | $32,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 2 | El Paso, TX | $48,716 | $33,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $57,896 | $38,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $57,818 | $38,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 5 | Anchorage, AK | $52,119 | $44,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 6 | Glendale, AZ | $48,049 | $33,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 7 | Oakland, CA | $57,815 | $38,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $47,990 | $33,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 9 | Fremont, CA | $57,791 | $38,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 10 | Chandler, AZ | $47,858 | $32,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 11 | Santa Ana, CA | $55,881 | $37,000 | 334,217 | 2 |
| 12 | Scottsdale, AZ | $47,844 | $32,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $46,537 | $31,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 14 | Los Angeles, CA | $56,247 | $37,000 | 3,976,322 | 3 |
| 15 | Gilbert, AZ | $47,802 | $32,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 16 | Mesa, AZ | $47,778 | $32,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 17 | Henderson, NV | $46,452 | $31,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 18 | Fresno, CA | $57,066 | $37,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 19 | North Las Vegas, NV | $46,427 | $31,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 20 | Stockton, CA | $57,353 | $38,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 21 | Bakersfield, CA | $56,912 | $37,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 22 | Sacramento, CA | $57,155 | $38,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 23 | Long Beach, CA | $56,044 | $37,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 24 | Tucson, AZ | $47,297 | $32,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 25 | Anaheim, CA | $55,935 | $37,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 26 | Irvine, CA | $55,808 | $37,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 27 | Riverside, CA | $55,699 | $37,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 28 | San Diego, CA | $55,374 | $37,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 29 | Seattle, WA | $50,328 | $36,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 30 | Lubbock, TX | $45,260 | $31,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 31 | Austin, TX | $43,074 | $29,000 | 947,890 | 3 |
| 32 | Chula Vista, CA | $55,339 | $37,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 33 | Portland, OR | $48,205 | $34,000 | 639,863 | 6 |
| 34 | San Antonio, TX | $43,577 | $30,000 | 1,492,510 | 2 |
| 35 | Corpus Christi, TX | $42,838 | $29,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 36 | Laredo, TX | $44,223 | $30,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 37 | Arlington, TX | $42,660 | $29,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 38 | Irving, TX | $42,590 | $29,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 39 | Dallas, TX | $42,509 | $29,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 40 | Fort Worth, TX | $42,782 | $30,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 41 | Plano, TX | $42,456 | $29,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 42 | Denver, CO | $43,521 | $31,000 | 693,060 | 3 |
| 43 | Garland, TX | $42,425 | $29,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 44 | Houston, TX | $41,876 | $29,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 45 | Detroit, MI | $37,356 | $26,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 46 | Albuquerque, NM | $41,296 | $28,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 47 | Aurora, CO | $43,480 | $31,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 48 | Omaha, NE | $36,857 | $26,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 49 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $55,453 | $43,000 | 351,792 | - |
| 50 | Lincoln, NE | $36,733 | $26,000 | 280,364 | - |
Highest paying cities for direct support specialists
| Rank | City | Avg. direct support specialist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $50,328 |
| 2 | Portland, OR | $48,204 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $43,521 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $41,876 |
| 5 | Newton, MA | $40,498 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $39,982 |
| 7 | Trumbull, CT | $39,159 |
| 8 | Moorhead, MN | $38,979 |
| 9 | Waterloo, IA | $38,651 |
| 10 | Warwick, RI | $37,082 |
| 11 | Philadelphia, PA | $35,858 |
| 12 | Columbia, MO | $34,726 |
| 13 | Virginia Beach, VA | $33,804 |
| 14 | Lake Charles, LA | $32,508 |
| 15 | Bristol, TN | $31,536 |