What are the main factors that influence a Direct Support Professional's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Direct Support Professional?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Direct Support Professional roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

How does experience change A Direct Support Professional's salary?

A Direct Support Professional's salary grows with experience: a Direct Support Professional (0-0 years)earns $35,680, a Home Care Aide I (0-1 years)earns $32,195, a Home Care Aide II (1-3 years)earns $38,707, a Home Care Aide III (3-5 years)earns $43,200, a Home Care Aide Coordinator (5+ years)earns $43,256,

What are the highest paying states for a Direct Support Professional?

Direct Support Professional salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Direct Support Professional roles are District of Columbia $39,213, California $39,065, Massachusetts $38,544. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Direct Support Professional roles make?

Salaries for Direct Support Professional level roles vary by specialization: Direct Support Professional 2: $64,775; Direct Support Professional Supervisor: $62,311; Direct Support Professional Caregiver: $39,567; Direct Support Professional-SCL: $39,413; Direct Support Professional IDD: $38,758.

Direct Support Professional Salary in Delaware

How much does a Direct Support Professional make in Delaware?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Support Professional in Delaware is $35,866 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Direct Support Professional's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $40,714
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,394 to $38,404
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,143

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Direct Support Professional Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$38,404	$3,200	$739	$18
Average	$35,866	$2,989	$690	$17
25th Percentile	$33,394	$2,783	$642	$16

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Direct Support Professional Salaries

A Direct Support Professional'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.

How Experience Level Affects Direct Support Professional Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Direct Support Professional'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): $35,680
Early Career (1-2 years): $32,195
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,707
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,200
Expert (over 8 years): $43,256

Levels	Salary
Direct Su... Level Direct Support Professional	$35,680
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional	$32,195
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional	$38,707
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional	$43,200
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional	$43,256

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Direct Support Professional 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 Professionals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $39,213.
California: $39,065.
Massachusetts: $38,544.

District of Columbia $39,213 California $39,065 Massachusetts $38,544 Washington $38,402 New Jersey $38,388 Alaska $38,338 Connecticut $37,850 New York $37,651

Hawaii $37,017 Rhode Island $36,720 Maryland $36,518 Minnesota $36,242 Colorado $36,136 Illinois $36,100 Oregon $35,966 Delaware $35,866

New Hampshire $35,804 Virginia $35,665 Pennsylvania $35,257 Nevada $35,052 North Dakota $34,985 Michigan $34,878 Wisconsin $34,839 Vermont $34,761

Texas $34,545 Maine $34,531 Arizona $34,510 Ohio $34,485 Georgia $34,159 Indiana $33,996 Wyoming $33,965 Utah $33,915

Iowa $33,894 Kansas $33,724 Louisiana $33,674 North Carolina $33,656 Missouri $33,649 Florida $33,511 Montana $33,437 Nebraska $33,366

Kentucky $33,327 South Carolina $33,185 Tennessee $33,097 Idaho $33,061 New Mexico $32,803 Oklahoma $32,746 Alabama $32,537 South Dakota $32,187

Arkansas $31,995 West Virginia $31,893 Mississippi $31,585

Top Paying Cities for Direct Support Professionals

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:

Lincoln: $35,705
Little Creek: $35,966
Magnolia: $35,915

Lincoln, DE $35,705 Little Creek, DE $35,966 Magnolia, DE $35,915 Milford, DE $35,796 Marydel, DE $35,854 Millsboro, DE $35,555 Millville, DE $35,610 Milton, DE $35,672

Nassau, DE $35,697 Ocean View, DE $35,604 Rehoboth Beach, DE $35,672 Seaford, DE $35,692 Selbyville, DE $35,545 Smyrna, DE $35,991 Viola, DE $35,825 Woodside, DE $35,922

Bear, DE $35,839 Newark, DE $35,825 Claymont, DE $35,899 Delaware City, DE $35,861 Hockessin, DE $35,822 Kirkwood, DE $35,854 Middletown, DE $35,868 Montchanin, DE $35,830

New Castle, DE $35,836 Odessa, DE $35,886 Port Penn, DE $35,910 Rockland, DE $35,834 Saint Georges, DE $35,857 Townsend, DE $35,912 Winterthur, DE $35,838 Lewes, DE $35,685

Wilmington, DE $35,824 Dover, DE $35,966 Dover Afb, DE $35,777 Bethany Beach, DE $35,566 Bethel, DE $35,603 Bridgeville, DE $35,687 Camden Wyoming, DE $35,865 Cheswold, DE $35,955

Clayton, DE $35,956 Dagsboro, DE $35,542 Delmar, DE $35,485 Ellendale, DE $35,592 Felton, DE $35,793 Fenwick Island, DE $35,549 Frankford, DE $35,487 Frederica, DE $35,828

Georgetown, DE $35,528 Greenwood, DE $35,693 Harbeson, DE $35,566 Harrington, DE $35,747 Hartly, DE $35,859 Houston, DE $35,696 Kenton, DE $35,957 Laurel, DE $35,507

Yorklyn, DE $35,833

Direct Support Professional Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Direct Support Professional 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 Professional positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Direct Support Professional as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Direct Support Professional

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare	$43,040	$21.0	20%

Direct Support Professional Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Direct Support Professional'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

$33,394

Average $35,866/year

$38,404

$2,783

Average $2,989/month

$3,200

$642

Average $690/week

$739

$16

Average $17/hour

$18

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$38,404	$3,200	$739	$18
Average	$35,866	$2,989	$690	$17
25th Percentile	$33,394	$2,783	$642	$16

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