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

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

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

A Direct Support Aide's salary grows with experience: a Direct Support Aide (0-0 years)earns $33,879, a Nursing Assistant - Non-certified (0-1 years)earns $34,158, a Patient Care Technician (PCT) (1-3 years)earns $37,860,

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

Direct Support Aide salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Direct Support Aide roles are District of Columbia $37,650, California $37,507, Massachusetts $37,007. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

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

Salaries for Direct Support Aide level roles vary by specialization: Direct Care Aide IDD: $175,668; Direct Support Professionals: $170,026; Direct Support Associate: $39,465; Direct Care Support: $39,073; Direct Care Aide: $38,825.

How do different companies affect a Direct Support Aide's salary?

Company size, industry, and compensation structure create significant salary variations for Direct Support Aide roles. Large, established industry leaders like Kpmg Us LLP ($114,295) and Warner Bros Discovery ($114,096) offer base salaries 35-40% above the national average. In contrast, smaller firms or startups may offer closer to $88,138.

Direct Support Aide Salary in the United States

How much does a Direct Support Aide make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Support Aide in the United States is $34,005 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $37,279
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,696 to $35,719
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $27,683

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Direct Support Aide Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$35,719	$2,977	$687	$17
Average	$34,005	$2,834	$654	$16
25th Percentile	$30,696	$2,558	$590	$15

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Check out Direct Support Aide Job Openings in the United States

Direct Support Professional

ViaQuest - Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

Heinzerling Community - Columbus, OH

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First Step Healthcare LLC - Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

Alliance Summit Group - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Direct Support Aide Salaries

A Direct Support Aide'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 Do Direct Support Aide 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 Aides. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $37,650.
California: $37,507.
Massachusetts: $37,007.

District of Columbia $37,650

California $37,507

Massachusetts $37,007

Washington $36,871

New Jersey $36,858

Alaska $36,810

Connecticut $36,341

New York $36,150

Hawaii $35,542

Rhode Island $35,256

Maryland $35,062

Minnesota $34,797

Colorado $34,695

Illinois $34,661

Oregon $34,532

Delaware $34,436

New Hampshire $34,377

Virginia $34,243

Pennsylvania $33,852

Nevada $33,654

North Dakota $33,590

Michigan $33,488

Wisconsin $33,450

Vermont $33,376

Texas $33,168

Maine $33,154

Arizona $33,134

Ohio $33,110

Georgia $32,797

Indiana $32,641

Wyoming $32,610

Utah $32,563

Iowa $32,542

Kansas $32,379

Louisiana $32,332

North Carolina $32,315

Missouri $32,308

Florida $32,175

Montana $32,104

Nebraska $32,036

Kentucky $31,998

South Carolina $31,862

Tennessee $31,777

Idaho $31,743

New Mexico $31,495

Oklahoma $31,441

Alabama $31,240

South Dakota $30,903

Arkansas $30,720

West Virginia $30,621

Mississippi $30,325

Top Paying Cities for Direct Support Aides

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: $42,890
San Francisco: $42,420
Oakland: $41,526

San Jose, CA $42,890

San Francisco, CA $42,420

Oakland, CA $41,526

New York, NY $39,153

Paramus, NJ $38,676

Queens Village, NY $38,675

Passaic, NJ $38,642

Bergenfield, NJ $38,639

Stamford, CT $38,565

Huntington, NY $38,551

Newark, NJ $38,299

Bridgeport, CT $38,228

Vallejo, CA $38,160

New Brunswick, NJ $38,146

Petaluma, CA $38,126

Middlesex, NJ $38,061

Somerset, NJ $38,038

Santa Cruz, CA $37,993

Boston, MA $37,786

Monterey, CA $37,667

Seattle, WA $37,589

Santa Rosa, CA $37,582

Los Angeles, CA $37,572

Juneau, AK $37,483

Washington, DC $37,446

Orange, CA $37,325

Santa Ana, CA $37,235

Long Beach, CA $37,201

Anaheim, CA $37,194

Anchorage, AK $37,177

Santa Maria, CA $37,075

Everett, WA $37,068

Danbury, CT $36,949

Bremerton, WA $36,902

Tacoma, WA $36,779

New Suffolk, NY $36,779

Sacramento, CA $36,769

Santa Barbara, CA $36,732

Trenton, NJ $36,694

San Diego, CA $36,694

Brockton, MA $36,657

Fairbanks, AK $36,574

Lompoc, CA $36,487

Lowell, MA $36,459

Ventura, CA $36,453

Nashua, NH $36,446

Stockton, CA $36,443

Modesto, CA $36,194

Poughkeepsie, NY $36,120

Olympia, WA $36,055

Kennewick, WA $36,055

New Haven, CT $36,041

Lawrence, MA $35,919

Hartford, CT $35,885

Riverside, CA $35,878

New Bedford, MA $35,844

Richland, WA $35,844

Bakersfield, CA $35,797

San Bernardino, CA $35,783

New Britain, CT $35,780

Atlantic City, NJ $35,780

New London, CT $35,766

Norwich, CT $35,756

Portsmouth, NH $35,749

Boulder, CO $35,677

Portland, OR $35,630

Worcester, MA $35,627

Minneapolis, MN $35,521

Philadelphia, PA $35,474

Honolulu, HI $35,361

Saint Paul, MN $35,345

Vineland, NJ $35,338

Providence, RI $35,239

Chicago, IL $35,140

Bellingham, WA $35,100

Springfield, MA $35,072

Baltimore, MD $35,062

Chico, CA $34,977

Pittsfield, MA $34,885

Manchester, NH $34,821

Spokane, WA $34,671

Denver, CO $34,668

Albany, NY $34,508

Troy, NY $34,494

Nassau, NY $34,458

Schenectady, NY $34,423

Wilmington, DE $34,396

Burlington, VT $34,348

Salem, OR $34,334

Portland, ME $34,229

Yakima, WA $34,195

Rochester, MN $34,090

Reno, NV $34,073

Fresno, CA $34,073

Milwaukee, WI $34,042

Detroit, MI $34,008

Ann Arbor, MI $34,002

Allentown, PA $33,998

Colorado Springs, CO $33,940

Syracuse, NY $33,923

Carson City, NV $33,923

Houston, TX $33,875

Eugene, OR $33,858

Gary, IN $33,818

Springfield, OR $33,790

Bismarck, ND $33,784

Galveston, TX $33,760

Medford, OR $33,709

Fort Collins, CO $33,695

Concord, NH $33,678

Austin, TX $33,668

Mesa, AZ $33,597

Reading, PA $33,593

Phoenix, AZ $33,590

Dallas, TX $33,580

Saint Cloud, MN $33,547

Madison, WI $33,501

Utica, NY $33,410

Rochester, NY $33,355

Des Moines, IA $33,352

Raleigh, NC $33,348

Atlanta, GA $33,297

Battle Creek, MI $33,287

Salt Lake City, UT $33,277

Lancaster, PA $33,226

Harrisburg, PA $33,178

Kansas City, MO $33,144

Champaign, IL $33,137

Kansas City, KS $33,137

Fort Worth, TX $33,134

Columbus, OH $33,128

Boca Raton, FL $33,120

Pittsburgh, PA $33,107

Richmond, VA $33,093

Indianapolis, IN $33,086

Cleveland, OH $33,083

Las Vegas, NV $33,042

Cincinnati, OH $33,042

Petersburg, VA $32,991

Huntsville, AL $32,940

Lansing, MI $32,917

Lebanon, PA $32,913

Pueblo, CO $32,910

Appleton, WI $32,899

Buffalo, NY $32,886

Dayton, OH $32,876

Racine, WI $32,869

Charlotte, NC $32,865

Saint Louis, MO $32,855

York, PA $32,835

Elkhart, IN $32,835

Gastonia, NC $32,828

Billings, MT $32,820

Beaumont, TX $32,811

Lorain, OH $32,804

Benton Harbor, MI $32,797

Toledo, OH $32,791

Binghamton, NY $32,774

Rock Hill, SC $32,770

Rockford, IL $32,753

Springfield, IL $32,740

Elyria, OH $32,736

Fargo, ND $32,736

Flagstaff, AZ $32,712

Fort Lauderdale, FL $32,692

Duluth, MN $32,672

Miami, FL $32,672

Cheyenne, WY $32,648

Grand Forks, ND $32,648

Bangor, ME $32,573

Cedar Rapids, IA $32,536

Durham, NC $32,521

Louisville, KY $32,519

Grand Rapids, MI $32,512

Hialeah, FL $32,508

Casper, WY $32,461

Scranton, PA $32,420

New Orleans, LA $32,410

Virginia Beach, VA $32,406

Akron, OH $32,389

Peoria, IL $32,345

Sarasota, FL $32,338

Nashville, TN $32,315

Omaha, NE $32,315

Green Bay, WI $32,315

Baton Rouge, LA $32,298

Charleston, SC $32,291

Jamestown, NY $32,274

Davenport, IA $32,274

Tucson, AZ $32,257

Saint Petersburg, FL $32,236

Tampa, FL $32,230

Evansville, IN $32,209

Port Arthur, TX $32,209

Bradenton, FL $32,196

Santa Fe, NM $32,134

Orlando, FL $32,073

Clearwater, FL $32,063

Canton, OH $31,992

La Crosse, WI $31,992

Albuquerque, NM $31,971

Newport News, VA $31,968

High Point, NC $31,958

Ogden, UT $31,944

Corpus Christi, TX $31,917

Norfolk, VA $31,896

Laramie, WY $31,896

Rock Island, IL $31,876

Saginaw, MI $31,869

Jacksonville, FL $31,866

Salisbury, NC $31,859

Boise, ID $31,852

Moline, IL $31,835

Fort Myers, FL $31,825

Memphis, TN $31,818

Tulsa, OK $31,801

Waterloo, IA $31,781

Spartanburg, SC $31,747

Lincoln, NE $31,730

Fort Wayne, IN $31,723

Provo, UT $31,719

Cedar Falls, IA $31,679

San Antonio, TX $31,665

Greensboro, NC $31,651

South Bend, IN $31,648

Savannah, GA $31,611

Muskegon, MI $31,597

Birmingham, AL $31,594

Winston Salem, NC $31,577

Lake Charles, LA $31,495

Anderson, IN $31,488

Lexington, KY $31,478

Augusta, GA $31,468

Greenville, SC $31,468

Lima, OH $31,441

Wichita, KS $31,437

Tuscaloosa, AL $31,437

Columbia, SC $31,407

Springfield, OH $31,400

Asheville, NC $31,345

Bloomington, IN $31,322

Knoxville, TN $31,199

Shreveport, LA $31,196

Wilmington, NC $31,152

Roanoke, VA $31,152

Topeka, KS $31,090

Frankfort, KY $31,087

Oklahoma City, OK $31,063

Chillicothe, OH $31,050

Longview, TX $31,046

Melbourne, FL $31,043

Sioux Falls, SD $30,988

Mobile, AL $30,985

Terre Haute, IN $30,971

Altoona, PA $30,951

Amarillo, TX $30,927

Killeen, TX $30,917

Fayetteville, AR $30,890

Chattanooga, TN $30,880

Sioux City, IA $30,849

Idaho Falls, ID $30,842

Lynchburg, VA $30,815

Gainesville, FL $30,771

Portsmouth, OH $30,754

Little Rock, AR $30,747

Lafayette, LA $30,733

Youngstown, OH $30,733

Daytona Beach, FL $30,713

Clarksville, TN $30,710

Pensacola, FL $30,706

Temple, TX $30,704

Hopkinsville, KY $30,604

Erie, PA $30,597

Florence, SC $30,584

Charleston, WV $30,529

Great Falls, MT $30,512

Macon, GA $30,465

Tallahassee, FL $30,461

Fayetteville, NC $30,455

Waco, TX $30,448

Helena, MT $30,424

Pine Bluff, AR $30,411

Vincennes, IN $30,370

Lubbock, TX $30,356

Alamogordo, NM $30,336

Twin Falls, ID $30,305

Rapid City, SD $30,295

Jackson, MS $30,233

Huntington, WV $30,231

Greenville, MS $30,230

Parkersburg, WV $30,195

Montgomery, AL $30,189

Wichita Falls, TX $30,155

Springfield, MO $30,155

Biloxi, MS $30,138

Monroe, LA $30,104

Johnstown, PA $30,080

Sumter, SC $30,067

Columbus, GA $30,063

Pascagoula, MS $29,999

Abilene, TX $29,999

Kingsport, TN $29,910

Albany, GA $29,910

Gulfport, MS $29,900

Alexandria, LA $29,788

Fort Smith, AR $29,703

El Paso, TX $29,611

Las Cruces, NM $29,458

Harlingen, TX $29,372

Pocatello, ID $29,366

Florence, AL $29,322

Brownsville, TX $29,315

Mcallen, TX $29,244

Dothan, AL $29,196

Columbus, MS $28,994

Altus, OK $28,836

Lawton, OK $28,771

Pierre, SD $28,649

What Skills Can Increase a Direct Support Aide's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

Commitment (Mentioned in 3.53% 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.
Long Term Care (Mentioned in 4.69% Job Postings): Long-term care (LTC) is a variety of services which help meet both the medical and non-medical needs of people with a chronic illness or disability who cannot care for themselves for long periods. Long term care is focused on individualized and coordinated services that promote independence, maximize patients' quality of life, and meet patients' needs over a period of time. It is common for long-term care to provide custodial and non-skilled care, such as assisting with normal daily tasks like dressing, feeding, using the bathroom. Increasingly, long-term care involves providing a level of medical care that requires the expertise of skilled practitioners to address the multiple chronic conditions associated with older populations. Long-term care can be provided at home, in the community, in assisted living facilities or in nursing homes. Long-term care may be needed by people of any age, although it is a more common need for senior citizens.
Home Care (Mentioned in 2.18% Job Postings): Homecare is health care or supportive care provided by a professional caregiver in the individual home where the patient or client is living, as opposed to care provided in group accommodations like clinics or nursing home.

See More Skills

Skills	Demand Percentage
Commitment	3.53%
Long Term Care	4.69%
Home Care	2.18%

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 Aide's salary.

Dialysis: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
Attention to Detail: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.

Skill	Salary	Salary % Increase
Dialysis	$38,765	14%
Attention to Detail	$36,045	6%
Initiative	$35,705	5%
Collaboration	$35,705	5%
Cardiac	$35,365	4%
Organizational Skills	$35,365	4%

Get Latest Data

Direct Support Aide Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Direct Support Aide roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 40% above the average. Conversely, Direct Support Aide positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Direct Support Aide as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Direct Support Aide

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare	$47,606	$23.0	40%

How Education impacts a Direct Support Aide's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Direct Support Aides 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 Direct Support Aide with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $35,160 and $37,049).

Direct Support Aide Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Direct Support Aide

No Diploma 1.7%

High School 78.7%

Associates 11.4%

Bachelors 7.6%

Masters 0.6%

Doctorate 0.0%

view as table

Degree Level	% of user with this level of education
No Diploma	1.7%
High School	78.7%
Associates	11.4%
Bachelors	7.6%
Masters	0.6%
Doctorate	0.0%

view as graph

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

Understanding how a Direct Support Aide'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

$30,696

Average $34,005/year

$35,719

$2,558

Average $2,834/month

$2,977

$590

Average $654/week

$687

$15

Average $16/hour

$17

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$35,719	$2,977	$687	$17
Average	$34,005	$2,834	$654	$16
25th Percentile	$30,696	$2,558	$590	$15

Salaries of jobs related to Direct Support Aide

Salary Trends for Direct Support Aide

Salaries for a Direct Support Aide can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $48,978 in 2023 to around $49,588 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Direct Support Aide salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Direct Support Aide Over Time

2022

$???

2023

$48,978

2024

$49,756

2025

$49,588

2026

$???

2027

$???

Year	Average Annual Salary
2022	View More
2023	$48,978
2024	$49,756
2025	$49,588
2026	View More
2027	View More

Most common benefits for Direct Support Aide

Social Security

401(k)

Disability

Healthcare

Pension

Time Off (days)

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

RIDE LLC.

Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

RIDE LLC. | Columbus, OH

RIDE LLC.is currently seeking applicants for Direct Support Professional (DSP) positions, who have friendly personalities and the patience needed to accomm... more

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PurposeCare

Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

PurposeCare | Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional. The Direct Support Professional is responsible to provide direct services and supports to the individuals served as outlined i... more

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My Voice Residential Services

Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

My Voice Residential Services | Columbus, OH

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... more

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Care Of Excellent Llc

Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

Care Of Excellent Llc | Columbus, OH

Job Description. Job Description. Direct Support Professional Job Responsibilities. Provides direct care to those with intellectual and developmental disab... more

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New Beginning Healthcare Services L

Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

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... more

5 Days Ago
Her Song

Columbus, OH

Direct Support Professional

Her Song | Columbus, OH

Job Description. Job Description. We are hiring for Weekend shift 8AM-5PM and another role potential for PRN. The Residential Coach (RC) provides victim-ce... more

6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Direct Support Aide

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Direct Support Aide?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Direct Support Aide roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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.)

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