Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker in the United States is $31,910 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $35,325
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,031 to $33,697
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26,410
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,031 10% $26,410 90% $35,325 75% $33,697 $31,910 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $33,697 $2,808 $648 $16
Average $31,910 $2,659 $614 $15
25th Percentile $29,031 $2,419 $558 $14
Check out Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Job Openings in the United States
Direct care worker

QUALITY FOR LIFE LLC - Columbus, OH

Youth Care Worker

Maries House of Hope - Columbus, OH

Residential Group Home Care Worker &amp

North Central Mental Health Services, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Social Worker

Central Ohio Primary Care - Employees - Columbus, OH

Search More Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salaries

A Caregiver/Direct Care 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 Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Caregiver/Direct Care 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): $35,218
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $31,779
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,205
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $42,641
  • Expert (over 8 years): $42,696
Levels Salary
Behaviora... Level Caregiver/Direct Care Worker$35,218
Caregiver... Level Caregiver/Direct Care Worker$31,779
Home Care... Level Caregiver/Direct Care Worker$38,205
Home Care... Level Caregiver/Direct Care Worker$42,641
Home Care... Level Caregiver/Direct Care Worker$42,696
$35,218 0 yr
$31,779 < 2 yrs
$38,205 2-4 yrs
$42,641 5-8 yrs
$42,696 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Caregiver/Direct Care 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 Caregiver/Direct Care Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $35,331.
  • California: $35,197.
  • Massachusetts: $34,728.

Top Paying Cities for Caregiver/Direct Care 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: $40,248
  • San Francisco: $39,807
  • Oakland: $38,968

What Skills Can Increase a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 4.25% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Housekeeping (Mentioned in 5.85% Job Postings): Housekeeping department is keeping the venue clean and sanitary as part of customer service. Cleaners vacuum rugs and furniture in hallways, rooms and public areas. They collect trash and empty wastebaskets, change the sheets and make the beds.
  • Assisted Living (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): Assisted living exemplifies the shift from "care as service" to "care as business" in the broader health care arena predicted more than three decades ago. A consumer-driven industry, assisted living offers a wide range of options, levels of care, and diversity of services (Lockhart, 2009) and is subject to state rather than federal regulatory oversight. "Assisted living" means depends on both the state and provider in question: variations in state regulatory definitions are significant and provider variables include everything from philosophy, geographic location and auspice, to organizational size and structure.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 4.25%
Housekeeping 5.85%
Assisted Living 3.07%
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 Caregiver/Direct Care Worker's salary.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Medication Administration: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Budgeting
$36,058
13%
Decision Making
$36,058
13%
Medication Administration
$35,739
12%
Communicates Effectively
$35,420
11%
Collaboration
$34,463
8%
Coordination
$34,144
7%
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Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Caregiver/Direct Care 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, Caregiver/Direct Care Worker positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Caregiver/Direct Care Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$38,292$18.020%

How Education impacts a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Caregiver/Direct Care Workers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Caregiver/Direct Care Worker with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $27,577 and $28,761).

Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Caregiver/Direct Care Worker
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 2.2%
High School 68.1%
Associates 11.6%
Bachelors 15.2%
Masters 2.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Caregiver/Direct Care 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Caregiver/Direct Care Worker

Salaries for a Caregiver/Direct Care Worker can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $27,344 in 2023 to around $26,760 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Caregiver/Direct Care Worker salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$27,344
2024
$27,087
2025
$26,760
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $27,344
2024 $27,087
2025 $26,760
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Caregiver/Direct Care Worker

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Caregiver/Direct Care Worker

Here are companies hiring for Caregiver/Direct Care Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Caregiver/Direct Care Worker Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Caregiver/Direct Care Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    2 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

    2 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    14 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

    14 Days Ago

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FAQ about Caregiver/Direct Care Worker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Caregiver/Direct Care Worker?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Caregiver/Direct Care 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.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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