Direct Support Caregiver Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Support Caregiver in the United States is $32,303 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $35,759
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,389 to $34,112
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26,736
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,389 10% $26,736 90% $35,759 75% $34,112 $32,303 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Direct Support Caregiver Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $34,112 $2,843 $656 $16
Average $32,303 $2,692 $621 $16
25th Percentile $29,389 $2,449 $565 $14
Check out Direct Support Caregiver Job Openings in the United States
Direct Support Professional Caregiver

CRSI - Wapakoneta, OH

Direct Support Professional Caregiver

CRSI - Belle Center, OH

Direct Support Program Supervisor

Sevita - Cleveland, OH

Direct Support Professional

I Am Boundless - Olmsted Falls, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Direct Support Caregiver Salaries

A Direct Support Caregiver'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 Caregiver Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Direct Support Caregiver'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): $35,651
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $32,170
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,670
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $43,158
  • Expert (over 8 years): $43,215
Levels Salary
Behaviora... Level Direct Support Caregiver$35,651
Direct Su... Level Direct Support Caregiver$32,170
Home Care... Level Direct Support Caregiver$38,670
Home Care... Level Direct Support Caregiver$43,158
Home Care... Level Direct Support Caregiver$43,215
$35,651 0 yr
$32,170 < 2 yrs
$38,670 2-4 yrs
$43,158 5-8 yrs
$43,215 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $35,766.
  • California: $35,630.
  • Massachusetts: $35,155.

Top Paying Cities for Direct Support Caregivers

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: $40,744
  • San Francisco: $40,298
  • Oakland: $39,449

What Skills Can Increase a Direct Support Caregiver'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 Direct Support Caregiver'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
$36,503
13%
Decision Making
$36,503
13%
Medication Administration
$36,179
12%
Communicates Effectively
$35,856
11%
Collaboration
$34,887
8%
Coordination
$34,564
7%
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Direct Support Caregiver Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industry for a Direct Support Caregiver

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$38,764$19.020%

How Education impacts a Direct Support Caregiver's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Direct Support Caregivers 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 Caregiver with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $27,577 and $28,761).

Direct Support Caregiver Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Direct Support Caregiver
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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Direct Support Caregiver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Direct Support Caregiver'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Direct Support Caregiver

Salaries for a Direct Support Caregiver can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $27,678 in 2023 to around $27,087 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Direct Support Caregiver salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Direct Support Caregiver Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$27,678
2024
$27,418
2025
$27,087
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $27,678
2024 $27,418
2025 $27,087
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Direct Support Caregiver

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

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

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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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