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What is a support worker and how to become one
A support worker provides assistance to people with disabilities, mental health issues, or support needs. They work in residential homes, hospitals, and community centers. Support workers help clients with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating, as well as providing emotional support and companionship. They may also help with medication management and arranging appointments. A support worker must be compassionate, patient, and able to adapt. They help individuals live independently and improve their quality of life.
What general advice would you give to a support worker?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology, Vanguard University
Avg. Salary $37,039
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 12%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.68%
Asian 6.36%
Black or African American 11.30%
Hispanic or Latino 14.88%
Unknown 4.90%
White 61.88%
Genderfemale 70.92%
male 29.08%
Age - 48American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 48Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is fair
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a support worker?
Pros
Flexible hours and work schedules
Good pay and benefits
Job security and stability
Opportunities for advancement within the field
Ability to learn new skills and gain experience
Cons
Long hours or shift work may be required
Challenging behaviors from clients can be difficult to manage
Potential exposure to contagious illnesses or diseases
Limited autonomy in decision-making due to strict protocols or regulations
The emotional toll of working with individuals who may have experienced trauma or abuse
Support worker career paths
Key steps to become a support worker
Explore support worker education requirements
Start to develop specific support worker skills
Skills Percentages Social Work 17.51% Crisis Intervention 7.19% Treatment Plan 6.59% Social Services 6.25% Substance Abuse 5.41% Complete relevant support worker training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New support workers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a support worker based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real support worker resumes.Research support worker duties and responsibilities
- Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
- Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
- Develop and implement work plans for TANF customers according to federal requirements.
- Recognize risk factors quickly, collaborate with interdisciplinary team, nurture positive relationships with patients through consistency and modeling healthy boundaries.
Prepare your support worker resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your support worker resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a support worker resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable support worker resume templates
Build a professional support worker resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your support worker resume.
Apply for support worker jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a support worker job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first support worker job
Are you a support worker?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average support worker salary
The average support worker salary in the United States is $37,039 per year or $18 per hour. Support worker salaries range between $22,000 and $60,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do support workers rate their job?
Support worker reviews
can be easy to get burnt out, pay is ok
Observing clients master new skills and interacting with client on daily.Providing new challenges and goals specific to client abilities.
Family members disregard for clients Rights and only seem to want clients funds.
The individual's are entertaining and loving. They do have their moments like any other person but when the individuals are having a good day it shows. They always look for validation from the staff when they are doing a good job. There is always something different to expect everyday. You really have to love what you do because it can be stressful but also rewarding.
Updated January 8, 2025
