Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Residential Support Worker in Iowa is $37,155 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, a Residential Support Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI Onboarding
Residential Support Worker Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $40,914 | $3,409 | $787 | $20 |
| Average | $37,155 | $3,096 | $715 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,537 | $2,795 | $645 | $16 |
Empowering Abilities - Davenport, IA
Mayors Youth Empowerment Program - Iowa City, IA
Optimae LifeServices - Des Moines, IA
Imagine The Possibilities, Inc. - Burlington, IA
A Residential 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Residential 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Residential Support Worker | $37,306 |
| Intermediate Level Residential Support Worker | $38,032 |
| Senior Level Residential Support Worker | $39,749 |
| Specialist Level Residential Support Worker | $39,933 |
| Expert Level Residential Support Worker | $40,055 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Residential Support Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Residential 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, Residential Support Worker positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Residential Support Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $44,586 | $21.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Residential 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $40,914 | $3,409 | $787 | $20 |
| Average | $37,155 | $3,096 | $715 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,537 | $2,795 | $645 | $16 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Residential Support Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Aramark
Fayette, IA
Aramark | Fayette, IA
Aramark - - Responsibilities: Distribute mail, order and stock supplies, answer phones, and greet visitors. Assist unit management with clerical tasks rela... more
8 Days Ago
Iowa Community Action Association - West Central Community Action
Council Bluffs, IA
Iowa Community Action Association - West Central Community Action | Council Bluffs, IA
Job Description. Job Description. FAMILY DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST West Central Community Action is now seeking a Family Development Specialist for our FaDSS ... more
7 Days Ago
Aramark
Iowa City, IA
Aramark | Iowa City, IA
Job DescriptionThe Administrative Support Worker Lead is responsible for assisting management with administrative tasks including, but not limited to, orde... more
9 Days Ago
Hills & Dales Child Development Center
Dubuque, IA
Hills & Dales Child Development Center | Dubuque, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Direct Support Professional - Student WorkerAre you over 18 and a current student looking to gain valuable experience whi... more
11 Days Ago
First Resources Corp
Ottumwa, IA
First Resources Corp | Ottumwa, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Direct Support Professional (DSP) – First Resources Corp. Residential ServicesLocation: Ottumwa, IAEmployment Type: Full-... more
9 Days Ago
First Resources Corp
Sigourney, IA
First Resources Corp | Sigourney, IA
Job Description. Job Description. Direct Support Professional (DSP) – First Resources Corp. Residential ServicesLocation: Sigourney, IAEmployment Type: Ful... more
9 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
