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The average salary for a direct care staffer is approximately $30,480 per year, or about $15 per hour. This figure reflects the pay rate for entry-level positions, with potential for increases based on experience and additional responsibilities. Those in this role typically provide support to individuals with disabilities, assisting with daily living activities and promoting independence.
Several factors can influence a direct care staffer's earnings:
As direct care staffers gain experience, they can explore advanced roles, such as supervisory positions or specialized care roles, which often come with increased salaries and responsibilities. Investing in further education or certifications can also enhance earning potential.
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The highest-paying states for direct care staffers are Oregon, New York, and Washington. The lowest average direct care staffer salary states are Indiana, Arkansas, and Florida.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $35,326 | $16.98 |
| 2 | Maine | $33,898 | $16.30 |
| 3 | Oregon | $36,973 | $17.78 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $30,768 | $14.79 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $31,787 | $15.28 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $29,317 | $14.09 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $34,677 | $16.67 |
| 8 | Washington | $35,112 | $16.88 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $30,382 | $14.61 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $31,021 | $14.91 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $28,821 | $13.86 |
| 13 | Vermont | $31,182 | $14.99 |
| 14 | Arizona | $29,022 | $13.95 |
| 15 | Texas | $30,806 | $14.81 |
| 16 | California | $33,607 | $16.16 |
| 17 | Montana | $27,614 | $13.28 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $32,285 | $15.52 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $27,195 | $13.07 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $27,420 | $13.18 |
| 21 | Michigan | $26,486 | $12.73 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $27,166 | $13.06 |
| 23 | Ohio | $26,547 | $12.76 |
| 24 | Alaska | $31,898 | $15.34 |
| 25 | Iowa | $25,988 | $12.49 |
| 26 | Delaware | $26,841 | $12.90 |
| 27 | Nevada | $27,132 | $13.04 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $32,931 | $15.83 |
| 29 | Idaho | $27,617 | $13.28 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $27,474 | $13.21 |
| 31 | Illinois | $26,745 | $12.86 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $25,782 | $12.40 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $26,104 | $12.55 |
| 34 | Alabama | $25,941 | $12.47 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $25,101 | $12.07 |
| 36 | Missouri | $24,571 | $11.81 |
| 37 | Colorado | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $24,448 | $11.75 |
| 39 | Maryland | $25,289 | $12.16 |
| 40 | Utah | $26,125 | $12.56 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $27,784 | $13.36 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $23,996 | $11.54 |
| 43 | Kansas | $23,533 | $11.31 |
| 44 | Mississippi | $21,872 | $10.52 |
| 45 | Virginia | $24,523 | $11.79 |
| 46 | Georgia | $23,141 | $11.13 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $22,269 | $10.71 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $22,018 | $10.59 |
| 49 | Indiana | $23,000 | $11.06 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $22,794 | $10.96 |
| 51 | Florida | $22,322 | $10.73 |
The highest-paying cities for direct care staffers are Salem, OR, Vacaville, CA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salem, OR | $37,109 | $17.84 |
| 2 | Vacaville, CA | $36,326 | $17.46 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $35,388 | $17.01 |
| 4 | New Britain, CT | $32,311 | $15.53 |
| 5 | Springfield, MA | $32,109 | $15.44 |
| 6 | San Antonio, TX | $31,513 | $15.15 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $29,036 | $13.96 |
| 8 | Reading, PA | $28,960 | $13.92 |
| 9 | Cary, NC | $27,562 | $13.25 |
| 10 | Saint Cloud, MN | $27,474 | $13.21 |
| 11 | Franklin, TN | $27,468 | $13.21 |
| 12 | Pocatello, ID | $26,844 | $12.91 |
| 13 | Las Vegas, NV | $26,833 | $12.90 |
| 14 | Salt Lake City, UT | $26,094 | $12.55 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $25,963 | $12.48 |
| 16 | Des Moines, IA | $25,882 | $12.44 |
| 17 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $25,878 | $12.44 |
| 18 | Baltimore, MD | $25,505 | $12.26 |
| 19 | Springfield, MO | $24,496 | $11.78 |
| 20 | Columbia, SC | $24,044 | $11.56 |
Direct Care Staffers are the most in-demand in these five cities:
A direct care staffer's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $47,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $30,480 | $2,540 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
The highest paying types of direct care staffers are provider, direct support specialist, and residential counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | $61,912 | $5,159 | $29.77 | 112,186 |
| Residential Counselor | $34,117 | $2,843 | $16.40 | 81,287 |
| Attending, Ambulatory Care | $29,626 | $2,469 | $14.24 | 169,412 |
| Care Provider | $29,652 | $2,471 | $14.26 | 169,562 |
| Personal Care Worker | $29,490 | $2,458 | $14.18 | 129,522 |
| Child Care Attendant | $27,542 | $2,295 | $13.24 | 156,197 |
Top companies hiring direct care staffers now:
Direct care staffer salaries at New York University and Organogenesis are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average direct care staffer salary at companies like Central Lakes College and Ohio's Hospice of Dayton are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University | $61,953 | $29.79 |
| 2 | Organogenesis | $44,342 | $21.32 |
| 3 | Central Lakes College | $40,618 | $19.53 |
| 4 | Ohio's Hospice of Dayton | $36,358 | $17.48 |
| 5 | Community Health Connections | $35,961 | $17.29 |
| 6 | Dignity Health | $34,958 | $16.81 |
| 7 | Thales Academy | $34,616 | $16.64 |
| 8 | Lifesteps | $33,425 | $16.07 |
| 9 | Maryland School for the Blind | $33,255 | $15.99 |
| 10 | Novant Health | $33,211 | $15.97 |
| 11 | Centene | $32,824 | $15.78 |
| 12 | Health First | $32,736 | $15.74 |
| 13 | Clearview Local School District | $32,523 | $15.64 |
| 14 | Lincoln Financial Group | $32,256 | $15.51 |
| 15 | Spectrum Health | $31,291 | $15.04 |
| 16 | The Center for Health Care Services | $31,174 | $14.99 |
| 17 | Freedom Health | $31,132 | $14.97 |
| 18 | Colfax Corporation | $30,995 | $14.90 |
| 19 | Conemaugh Health System | $30,731 | $14.77 |
| 20 | Riverstone Holdings | $30,645 | $14.73 |
The average direct care staffer salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $30,329 | $14.58 |
| 2 | Health Care | $29,064 | $13.97 |
| 3 | Professional | $28,830 | $13.86 |
| 4 | Non Profits | $28,341 | $13.63 |
| 5 | Retail | $28,107 | $13.51 |
| 6 | Finance | $28,021 | $13.47 |
| 7 | Government | $27,949 | $13.44 |
The average direct care staffer salary has risen by $8,738 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average direct care staffer earned $21,742 annually, but today, they earn $30,480 a year. That works out to a 26% change in pay for direct care staffers over the last decade.
Compare direct care staffer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare direct care staffer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $30,500 | $14.65 | +6.8% |
| 2025 | $28,400 | $13.66 | +6.9% |
| 2024 | $26,500 | $12.73 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | $25,500 | $12.24 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | $24,200 | $11.61 | +4.3% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ccarc Inc. | Direct Care Hours Every Other Weekend A | New Britain, CT | 06/29/2025 | $38,526 |
| North Suffolk Community Services, Inc. | Direct Care Staff | Revere, MA | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Chrysalis | Residential Direct Care Staff | Las Vegas, NV | 06/27/2025 | $29,218 |
| Brightspring Health Services | Direct Care Staff | San Marcos, TX | 06/27/2025 | $33,392 |
| Liberty Hill ISD | Panther Extended Care, Staff | Liberty Hill, TX | 06/26/2025 | $32,349 |
| Chrysalis | Direct Care Staff | Saint George, UT | 06/26/2025 | $31,305 |
| Christ Chapel Bible Church | Kids Care Staff | Fort Worth, TX | 06/24/2025 | $29,218 |
| Palatine Park District | Care Program Staff | Palatine, IL | 06/24/2025 | $33,392 |
| Sunshine Studios | Direct Care Specialists Needed (Youth Group Homes) | Glendale, AZ | 06/20/2025 | $39,653 |
| Signature Healthcare | Activities Staff, Memory Care Unit 3P-11P | Terre Haute, IN | 06/19/2025 | $41,740 |
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