How much does a Direct Support Worker make in the United States?
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Support Worker in the United States is $38,654 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Direct Support Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,125
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,890 to $42,565
Key Factors That Influence Direct Support Worker Salaries
A Direct Support Worker's salary isn't a fixed number.
It's shaped by several important factors.
Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
How Experience Level Affects Direct Support Worker Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Direct Support Worker's salary.
As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases.
Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,811
Early Career (1-2 years): $39,566
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $41,352
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $41,544
Expert (over 8 years): $41,671
Levels
Salary
Entry Level Direct Support Worker
$38,811
Intermediate Level Direct Support Worker
$39,566
Senior Level Direct Support Worker
$41,352
Specialist Level Direct Support Worker
$41,544
Expert Level Direct Support Worker
$41,671
$38,8110 yr
$39,566< 2 yrs
$41,3522-4 yrs
$41,5445-8 yrs
$41,671> 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Direct Support Worker Salaries Vary from State to State?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work.
States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors
often pay more to attract Direct Support Workers.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
District of Columbia: $42,798.
California: $42,636.
Massachusetts: $42,067.
District of Columbia$42,798
California$42,636
Massachusetts$42,067
Washington$41,913
New Jersey$41,897
Alaska$41,843
Connecticut$41,310
New York$41,093
Hawaii$40,401
Rhode Island$40,077
Maryland$39,856
Minnesota$39,555
Colorado$39,439
Illinois$39,400
Oregon$39,253
Delaware$39,145
New Hampshire$39,077
Virginia$38,925
Pennsylvania$38,480
Nevada$38,256
North Dakota$38,183
Michigan$38,067
Wisconsin$38,024
Vermont$37,939
Texas$37,703
Maine$37,688
Arizona$37,665
Ohio$37,638
Georgia$37,282
Indiana$37,104
Wyoming$37,069
Utah$37,015
Iowa$36,992
Kansas$36,807
Louisiana$36,752
North Carolina$36,733
Missouri$36,725
Florida$36,575
Montana$36,493
Nebraska$36,416
Kentucky$36,374
South Carolina$36,219
Tennessee$36,122
Idaho$36,084
New Mexico$35,802
Oklahoma$35,740
Alabama$35,512
South Dakota$35,129
Arkansas$34,920
West Virginia$34,808
Mississippi$34,472
Top Paying Cities for Direct Support Workers
Salaries can also vary between different cities.
Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay.
Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
San Jose: $48,755
San Francisco: $48,221
Oakland: $47,205
San Jose, CA$48,755
San Francisco, CA$48,221
Oakland, CA$47,205
New York, NY$44,506
Paramus, NJ$43,965
Queens Village, NY$43,963
Passaic, NJ$43,926
Bergenfield, NJ$43,923
Stamford, CT$43,838
Huntington, NY$43,822
Newark, NJ$43,536
Bridgeport, CT$43,455
Vallejo, CA$43,378
New Brunswick, NJ$43,362
Petaluma, CA$43,339
Middlesex, NJ$43,266
Somerset, NJ$43,239
Santa Cruz, CA$43,188
Boston, MA$42,953
Monterey, CA$42,817
Seattle, WA$42,728
Santa Rosa, CA$42,721
Los Angeles, CA$42,709
Juneau, AK$42,609
Washington, DC$42,566
Orange, CA$42,428
Santa Ana, CA$42,326
Long Beach, CA$42,288
Anaheim, CA$42,280
Anchorage, AK$42,261
Santa Maria, CA$42,145
Everett, WA$42,137
Danbury, CT$42,001
Bremerton, WA$41,948
Tacoma, WA$41,808
New Suffolk, NY$41,808
Sacramento, CA$41,797
Santa Barbara, CA$41,754
Trenton, NJ$41,712
San Diego, CA$41,712
Brockton, MA$41,669
Fairbanks, AK$41,575
Lompoc, CA$41,476
Lowell, MA$41,445
Ventura, CA$41,437
Nashua, NH$41,430
Stockton, CA$41,426
Modesto, CA$41,144
Poughkeepsie, NY$41,058
Olympia, WA$40,985
Kennewick, WA$40,985
New Haven, CT$40,970
Lawrence, MA$40,830
Hartford, CT$40,792
Riverside, CA$40,784
New Bedford, MA$40,745
Richland, WA$40,745
Bakersfield, CA$40,691
San Bernardino, CA$40,676
New Britain, CT$40,672
Atlantic City, NJ$40,672
New London, CT$40,656
Norwich, CT$40,645
Portsmouth, NH$40,637
Boulder, CO$40,555
Portland, OR$40,502
Worcester, MA$40,498
Minneapolis, MN$40,378
Philadelphia, PA$40,324
Honolulu, HI$40,197
Saint Paul, MN$40,178
Vineland, NJ$40,169
Providence, RI$40,057
Chicago, IL$39,945
Bellingham, WA$39,899
Springfield, MA$39,868
Baltimore, MD$39,856
Chico, CA$39,760
Pittsfield, MA$39,655
Manchester, NH$39,582
Spokane, WA$39,412
Denver, CO$39,408
Albany, NY$39,226
Troy, NY$39,211
Nassau, NY$39,169
Schenectady, NY$39,130
Wilmington, DE$39,099
Burlington, VT$39,045
Salem, OR$39,029
Portland, ME$38,909
Yakima, WA$38,871
Rochester, MN$38,751
Reno, NV$38,732
Fresno, CA$38,732
Milwaukee, WI$38,697
Detroit, MI$38,658
Ann Arbor, MI$38,651
Allentown, PA$38,646
Colorado Springs, CO$38,581
Syracuse, NY$38,561
Carson City, NV$38,561
Houston, TX$38,507
Eugene, OR$38,488
Gary, IN$38,442
Springfield, OR$38,411
Bismarck, ND$38,403
Galveston, TX$38,376
Medford, OR$38,318
Fort Collins, CO$38,302
Concord, NH$38,283
Austin, TX$38,272
Mesa, AZ$38,190
Reading, PA$38,186
Phoenix, AZ$38,183
Dallas, TX$38,171
Saint Cloud, MN$38,134
Madison, WI$38,082
Utica, NY$37,978
Rochester, NY$37,916
Des Moines, IA$37,912
Raleigh, NC$37,908
Atlanta, GA$37,850
Battle Creek, MI$37,839
Salt Lake City, UT$37,827
Lancaster, PA$37,769
Harrisburg, PA$37,715
Kansas City, MO$37,676
Champaign, IL$37,669
Kansas City, KS$37,669
Fort Worth, TX$37,665
Columbus, OH$37,658
Boca Raton, FL$37,649
Pittsburgh, PA$37,634
Richmond, VA$37,618
Indianapolis, IN$37,611
Cleveland, OH$37,607
Las Vegas, NV$37,560
Cincinnati, OH$37,560
Petersburg, VA$37,502
Huntsville, AL$37,444
Lansing, MI$37,418
Lebanon, PA$37,413
Pueblo, CO$37,410
Appleton, WI$37,398
Buffalo, NY$37,382
Dayton, OH$37,371
Racine, WI$37,363
Charlotte, NC$37,359
Saint Louis, MO$37,348
York, PA$37,324
Elkhart, IN$37,324
Gastonia, NC$37,317
Billings, MT$37,308
Beaumont, TX$37,297
Lorain, OH$37,290
Benton Harbor, MI$37,282
Toledo, OH$37,274
Binghamton, NY$37,255
Rock Hill, SC$37,251
Rockford, IL$37,232
Springfield, IL$37,216
Elyria, OH$37,212
Fargo, ND$37,212
Flagstaff, AZ$37,185
Fort Lauderdale, FL$37,162
Duluth, MN$37,139
Miami, FL$37,139
Cheyenne, WY$37,112
Grand Forks, ND$37,112
Bangor, ME$37,027
Cedar Rapids, IA$36,984
Durham, NC$36,968
Louisville, KY$36,965
Grand Rapids, MI$36,957
Hialeah, FL$36,953
Casper, WY$36,899
Scranton, PA$36,853
New Orleans, LA$36,841
Virginia Beach, VA$36,837
Akron, OH$36,818
Peoria, IL$36,768
Sarasota, FL$36,760
Nashville, TN$36,733
Omaha, NE$36,733
Green Bay, WI$36,733
Baton Rouge, LA$36,714
Charleston, SC$36,706
Jamestown, NY$36,687
Davenport, IA$36,687
Tucson, AZ$36,667
Saint Petersburg, FL$36,644
Tampa, FL$36,636
Evansville, IN$36,613
Port Arthur, TX$36,613
Bradenton, FL$36,598
Santa Fe, NM$36,528
Orlando, FL$36,459
Clearwater, FL$36,447
Canton, OH$36,366
La Crosse, WI$36,366
Albuquerque, NM$36,343
Newport News, VA$36,339
High Point, NC$36,327
Ogden, UT$36,312
Corpus Christi, TX$36,281
Norfolk, VA$36,258
Laramie, WY$36,258
Rock Island, IL$36,234
Saginaw, MI$36,227
Jacksonville, FL$36,223
Salisbury, NC$36,215
Boise, ID$36,207
Moline, IL$36,188
Fort Myers, FL$36,176
Memphis, TN$36,169
Tulsa, OK$36,149
Waterloo, IA$36,126
Spartanburg, SC$36,088
Lincoln, NE$36,068
Fort Wayne, IN$36,061
Provo, UT$36,057
Cedar Falls, IA$36,010
San Antonio, TX$35,995
Greensboro, NC$35,979
South Bend, IN$35,975
Savannah, GA$35,933
Muskegon, MI$35,917
Birmingham, AL$35,914
Winston Salem, NC$35,895
Lake Charles, LA$35,802
Anderson, IN$35,794
Lexington, KY$35,782
Augusta, GA$35,771
Greenville, SC$35,771
Lima, OH$35,740
Wichita, KS$35,736
Tuscaloosa, AL$35,736
Columbia, SC$35,701
Springfield, OH$35,693
Asheville, NC$35,631
Bloomington, IN$35,604
Knoxville, TN$35,465
Shreveport, LA$35,461
Wilmington, NC$35,411
Roanoke, VA$35,411
Topeka, KS$35,342
Frankfort, KY$35,337
Oklahoma City, OK$35,311
Chillicothe, OH$35,295
Longview, TX$35,291
Melbourne, FL$35,287
Sioux Falls, SD$35,226
Mobile, AL$35,222
Terre Haute, IN$35,206
Altoona, PA$35,183
Amarillo, TX$35,156
Killeen, TX$35,144
Fayetteville, AR$35,113
Chattanooga, TN$35,102
Sioux City, IA$35,067
Idaho Falls, ID$35,059
Lynchburg, VA$35,028
Gainesville, FL$34,978
Portsmouth, OH$34,959
Little Rock, AR$34,951
Lafayette, LA$34,936
Youngstown, OH$34,936
Daytona Beach, FL$34,912
Clarksville, TN$34,909
Pensacola, FL$34,905
Temple, TX$34,902
Hopkinsville, KY$34,789
Erie, PA$34,781
Florence, SC$34,766
Charleston, WV$34,704
Great Falls, MT$34,684
Macon, GA$34,630
Tallahassee, FL$34,626
Fayetteville, NC$34,619
Waco, TX$34,611
Helena, MT$34,584
Pine Bluff, AR$34,569
Vincennes, IN$34,522
Lubbock, TX$34,507
Alamogordo, NM$34,483
Twin Falls, ID$34,449
Rapid City, SD$34,437
Jackson, MS$34,367
Huntington, WV$34,365
Greenville, MS$34,364
Parkersburg, WV$34,324
Montgomery, AL$34,317
Wichita Falls, TX$34,279
Springfield, MO$34,279
Biloxi, MS$34,259
Monroe, LA$34,221
Johnstown, PA$34,194
Sumter, SC$34,178
Columbus, GA$34,174
Pascagoula, MS$34,101
Abilene, TX$34,101
Kingsport, TN$34,000
Albany, GA$34,000
Gulfport, MS$33,989
Alexandria, LA$33,861
Fort Smith, AR$33,764
El Paso, TX$33,660
Las Cruces, NM$33,486
Harlingen, TX$33,388
Pocatello, ID$33,382
Florence, AL$33,332
Brownsville, TX$33,324
Mcallen, TX$33,243
Dothan, AL$33,188
Columbus, MS$32,959
Altus, OK$32,779
Lawton, OK$32,705
Pierre, SD$32,566
What Skills Can Increase a Direct Support Worker's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Planning (Mentioned in 5.5% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
Social Work (Mentioned in 3.29% Job Postings): Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided[by whom?] to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and to bring about social change. Social work practice is often divided[by whom?] into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working with communities, and - within social policy - fostering change on a larger scale.
Laundry (Mentioned in 2.66% Job Postings): Laundry refers to the washing of clothing and other textiles. Laundry processes are often done in a room reserved for that purpose; in an individual home this is referred to as a laundry room, Laundry in Australian English or utility room. An apartment building or student hall of residence may have a shared laundry facility such as a tvättstuga. A stand-alone business is referred to as a self-service laundry (launderette in British English or laundromat in American English). The material that is being washed, or has been laundered, is also generally referred to as laundry. Laundry has been part of history since humans began to wear clothes, so the methods by which different cultures have dealt with this universal human need are of interest to several branches of scholarship. Laundry work has traditionally been highly gendered, with the responsibility in most cultures falling to women (known as laundresses or washerwomen). The Industrial Revolution gradually led to mechanised solutions to laundry work, notably the washing machine and later the tumble dryer. Laundry, like cooking and child care, is done both at home and by commercial establishments outside the home.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Planning
5.5%
Social Work
3.29%
Laundry
2.66%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay.
Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Direct Support Worker's salary.
Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Microsoft Office: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Commitment
$45,998
19%
Presentation
$45,998
19%
Microsoft Office
$44,839
16%
Psychiatric
$44,066
14%
Programming
$43,293
12%
Collaboration
$43,293
12%
Get Latest Data
Direct Support Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Direct Support Worker roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential
by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare,
offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely,
Direct Support Worker positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay,
as this sector often view Direct Support Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industry for a Direct Support Worker
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare
$46,385
$22.0
20%
How Education impacts a Direct Support Worker's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Direct Support Workers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree,
higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data,
the median salary for a Direct Support Worker with a Associate's Degree is between
$30,440
and $33,434).
Direct Support Worker Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Direct Support Worker
No Diploma0.8%
High School14.4%
Associates19.2%
Bachelors51.2%
Masters14.4%
Doctorate0.0%
view as table
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
0.8%
High School
14.4%
Associates
19.2%
Bachelors
51.2%
Masters
14.4%
Doctorate
0.0%
view as graph
Direct Support Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Direct Support Worker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting.
Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role.
Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Salaries for a Direct Support Worker can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $45,530 in 2023
to around $45,018 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Direct Support Worker salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Direct Support Worker Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$45,530
2024
$45,440
2025
$45,018
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$45,530
2024
$45,440
2025
$45,018
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Direct Support Worker
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers
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Common company salaries for Direct Support Worker
Here are companies hiring for Direct Support Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.
N
$97,099/per year
New York Police Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$95,962/per year
State of New York - Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$94,615/per year
US Department of Transportation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$93,141/per year
US General Services Administration
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$92,342/per year
Los Angeles County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
D
$92,011/per year
Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,967/per year
US Department of Commerce
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,755/per year
US Department of Energy
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
F
$91,673/per year
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$90,276/per year
Naval Sea Systems Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,975/per year
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$88,721/per year
San Diego County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,664/per year
The TTB
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$87,569/per year
Lutheran Services
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
M
$85,066/per year
Maryland Inc
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$83,780/per year
State University of New York
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$82,969/per year
New York State
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
P
$82,703/per year
Puerto Rico Department of Education
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$80,526/per year
US Central Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
H
$80,286/per year
Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$79,270/per year
Air Force Reserve
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$78,505/per year
American Automobile Association (AAA)
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$76,678/per year
State of Florida - Department of Health
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$75,183/per year
New York State Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$75,106/per year
State University System of Florida
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
Find Your Next Direct Support Worker Job
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Browse thousands of current Direct Support Worker job openings on our job board.
Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k) matching. Paid time off. Training & development. 401(k). Job Title: Direct Support Professional (DSP). L...
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RIDE LLC.is currently seeking applicants for Direct Support Professional (DSP) positions, who have friendly personalities and the patience needed to accomm...
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Direct Support Professional. The Direct Support Professional is responsible to provide direct services and supports to the individuals served as outlined i...
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Job Description. Job Description. This role involves working with one of two children, for a total of 24 hours per week (4 hours per day, 6 days a week). P...
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Job Description. Job Description. Direct Support Professional Job Responsibilities. Provides direct care to those with intellectual and developmental disab...
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New Beginning Healthcare Services L | Columbus, OH
Job Description. Job Description. New Beginning Healthcare in Whitehall, Ohio, is looking for a Direct Care Professional. DSP will assist people with their...
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FAQ about Direct Support Worker
1. What industry pays the highest salary for Direct Support Worker?
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Direct Support Worker roles,
with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.