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Direct support worker salary
Average direct support worker salary
$13.72
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Let Zippia find your next direct support worker job
Average direct support worker salary by state
Highest paying states for direct support workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $34,655 | $16.66 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $33,027 | $15.88 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $31,839 | $15.31 |
| 4 | New York | $31,706 | $15.24 |
| 5 | Michigan | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| 6 | Maine | $33,430 | $16.07 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $33,898 | $16.30 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $32,312 | $15.53 |
| 9 | Idaho | $30,219 | $14.53 |
| 10 | Nevada | $29,738 | $14.30 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $26,291 | $12.64 |
| 12 | Washington | $28,911 | $13.90 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $26,881 | $12.92 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $30,492 | $14.66 |
| 15 | Vermont | $31,611 | $15.20 |
| 16 | Delaware | $28,376 | $13.64 |
| 17 | Oregon | $28,552 | $13.73 |
| 18 | Kentucky | $26,861 | $12.91 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $26,235 | $12.61 |
| 20 | Hawaii | $35,865 | $17.24 |
| 21 | Alaska | $31,028 | $14.92 |
| 22 | Florida | $26,994 | $12.98 |
| 23 | Tennessee | $24,733 | $11.89 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $25,974 | $12.49 |
| 25 | Utah | $25,361 | $12.19 |
| 26 | District of Columbia | $29,961 | $14.40 |
| 27 | Louisiana | $24,590 | $11.82 |
| 28 | Georgia | $25,483 | $12.25 |
| 29 | Maryland | $29,323 | $14.10 |
| 30 | Missouri | $24,733 | $11.89 |
| 31 | Arizona | $27,843 | $13.39 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $25,179 | $12.11 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $24,544 | $11.80 |
| 34 | Ohio | $25,601 | $12.31 |
| 35 | Iowa | $25,457 | $12.24 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $24,411 | $11.74 |
| 37 | Illinois | $26,342 | $12.66 |
| 38 | Texas | $24,866 | $11.95 |
| 39 | Kansas | $24,628 | $11.84 |
| 40 | Wyoming | $25,084 | $12.06 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $25,510 | $12.26 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $24,559 | $11.81 |
| 43 | Colorado | $25,490 | $12.25 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $23,362 | $11.23 |
| 45 | Indiana | $24,501 | $11.78 |
| 46 | North Dakota | $23,721 | $11.40 |
| 47 | Alabama | $22,635 | $10.88 |
| 48 | Virginia | $23,377 | $11.24 |
| 49 | Montana | $24,559 | $11.81 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $22,874 | $11.00 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $22,295 | $10.72 |
Direct support worker salary details
A direct support worker's salary ranges from $17,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $46,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a direct support worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $28,538 | $2,378 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $17,000 | $1,417 | $8 |
Highest paying direct support worker jobs
The highest paying types of direct support workers are provider, direct support specialist, and support worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Companion | $29,246 | $2,437 | $14.06 | 75,753 |
| Provider | $61,912 | $5,159 | $29.77 | 112,186 |
| Care Provider | $29,652 | $2,471 | $14.26 | 169,562 |
| Personal Care Worker | $29,490 | $2,458 | $14.18 | 129,522 |
| Support Staff | $31,772 | $2,648 | $15.28 | 161,915 |
| Direct Care Counselor | $33,422 | $2,785 | $16.07 | 123,519 |
Top companies hiring direct support workers now:
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Direct support worker salary trends
The average direct support worker salary has risen by $8,181 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average direct support worker earned $20,357 annually, but today, they earn $28,538 a year. That works out to a 26% change in pay for direct support workers over the last decade.
Compare direct support worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average direct support worker salary over time
Compare direct support worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Direct support worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,500 | $13.72 | +6.8% |
| 2024 | $26,600 | $12.79 | +6.9% |
| 2023 | $24,800 | $11.91 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $23,800 | $11.46 | +5.1% |
| 2021 | $22,600 | $10.87 | +4.3% |
Recently added direct support worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grow Development Disability Solutions | Direct Support Worker-General | Oregon City, OR | 06/27/2025 | $50,088 |
| A First Name Basis | Direct Support Worker (DSW) | Booneville, MS | 06/24/2025 | $22,957 |
| Sheppard Pratt Careers | Direct Support Worker-Pathways Day Program (Frederick, Day Shift) | Frederick, MD | 06/21/2025 | $37,629 |
| Amergis | Direct Support Personnel | Carrollton, OH | 06/14/2025 | $37,566 |
| Easterseals Northern California | Direct Support Worker-Community Adult Program | Dublin, CA | 06/12/2025 | $43,827 |
| Comforcare Home Care | Weekend Direct Support Worker/Caregiver | Parkesburg, PA | 06/11/2025 | $41,740 |
| Catalight | Direct Support Worker-Community Adult Program | Dublin, CA | 06/11/2025 | $43,827 |
| Catalight Foundation | Direct Support Worker | Ewa Beach, HI | 06/11/2025 | $33,392 |
| Life Inc. | Direct Support | Rocky Mount, NC | 06/09/2025 | $36,523 |
| Hirelevel | Direct Support Personnel | Johnston City, IL | 06/09/2025 | $32,349 |
Direct support worker salary FAQs
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