Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Salary in the United States
How much does a Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver make in the United States?
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver in the United States is $36,705 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.
However, a Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Top Earners (90th percentile): $41,665
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,174 to $39,301
Key Factors That Influence Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Salaries
A Direct Support Professional DSP/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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
How Experience Level Affects Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of a Direct Support Professional DSP/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): $36,514
Early Career (1-2 years): $32,948
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $39,611
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $44,210
Expert (over 8 years): $44,267
Levels
Salary
Direct Su... Level Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
$36,514
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
$32,948
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
$39,611
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
$44,210
Home Care... Level Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
$44,267
$36,5140 yr
$32,948< 2 yrs
$39,6112-4 yrs
$44,2105-8 yrs
$44,267> 8 yrs
View as Table
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What Am I Worth?
How Do Direct Support Professional DSP/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 Professional DSP/Caregivers.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
District of Columbia: $40,639.
California: $40,485.
Massachusetts: $39,946.
District of Columbia$40,639
California$40,485
Massachusetts$39,946
Washington$39,799
New Jersey$39,784
Alaska$39,733
Connecticut$39,226
New York$39,021
Hawaii$38,364
Rhode Island$38,055
Maryland$37,846
Minnesota$37,560
Colorado$37,450
Illinois$37,413
Oregon$37,274
Delaware$37,171
New Hampshire$37,106
Virginia$36,962
Pennsylvania$36,539
Nevada$36,327
North Dakota$36,257
Michigan$36,147
Wisconsin$36,106
Vermont$36,026
Texas$35,802
Maine$35,787
Arizona$35,765
Ohio$35,739
Georgia$35,402
Indiana$35,233
Wyoming$35,200
Utah$35,148
Iowa$35,126
Kansas$34,950
Louisiana$34,899
North Carolina$34,880
Missouri$34,873
Florida$34,730
Montana$34,653
Nebraska$34,579
Kentucky$34,539
South Carolina$34,392
Tennessee$34,300
Idaho$34,264
New Mexico$33,996
Oklahoma$33,937
Alabama$33,721
South Dakota$33,357
Arkansas$33,159
West Virginia$33,052
Mississippi$32,733
Top Paying Cities for Direct Support Professional DSP/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: $46,296
San Francisco: $45,789
Oakland: $44,824
San Jose, CA$46,296
San Francisco, CA$45,789
Oakland, CA$44,824
New York, NY$42,261
Paramus, NJ$41,747
Queens Village, NY$41,746
Passaic, NJ$41,711
Bergenfield, NJ$41,707
Stamford, CT$41,627
Huntington, NY$41,612
Newark, NJ$41,340
Bridgeport, CT$41,263
Vallejo, CA$41,190
New Brunswick, NJ$41,175
Petaluma, CA$41,153
Middlesex, NJ$41,083
Somerset, NJ$41,058
Santa Cruz, CA$41,010
Boston, MA$40,786
Monterey, CA$40,657
Seattle, WA$40,573
Santa Rosa, CA$40,566
Los Angeles, CA$40,555
Juneau, AK$40,459
Washington, DC$40,419
Orange, CA$40,288
Santa Ana, CA$40,192
Long Beach, CA$40,155
Anaheim, CA$40,147
Anchorage, AK$40,129
Santa Maria, CA$40,019
Everett, WA$40,012
Danbury, CT$39,882
Bremerton, WA$39,832
Tacoma, WA$39,700
New Suffolk, NY$39,699
Sacramento, CA$39,689
Santa Barbara, CA$39,648
Trenton, NJ$39,608
San Diego, CA$39,608
Brockton, MA$39,568
Fairbanks, AK$39,478
Lompoc, CA$39,384
Lowell, MA$39,354
Ventura, CA$39,347
Nashua, NH$39,340
Stockton, CA$39,336
Modesto, CA$39,068
Poughkeepsie, NY$38,988
Olympia, WA$38,918
Kennewick, WA$38,918
New Haven, CT$38,903
Lawrence, MA$38,771
Hartford, CT$38,734
Riverside, CA$38,727
New Bedford, MA$38,690
Richland, WA$38,690
Bakersfield, CA$38,639
San Bernardino, CA$38,624
New Britain, CT$38,621
Atlantic City, NJ$38,621
New London, CT$38,606
Norwich, CT$38,595
Portsmouth, NH$38,588
Boulder, CO$38,510
Portland, OR$38,459
Worcester, MA$38,455
Minneapolis, MN$38,342
Philadelphia, PA$38,290
Honolulu, HI$38,169
Saint Paul, MN$38,151
Vineland, NJ$38,143
Providence, RI$38,037
Chicago, IL$37,931
Bellingham, WA$37,886
Springfield, MA$37,857
Baltimore, MD$37,846
Chico, CA$37,754
Pittsfield, MA$37,655
Manchester, NH$37,586
Spokane, WA$37,424
Denver, CO$37,420
Albany, NY$37,248
Troy, NY$37,233
Nassau, NY$37,194
Schenectady, NY$37,156
Wilmington, DE$37,127
Burlington, VT$37,075
Salem, OR$37,061
Portland, ME$36,947
Yakima, WA$36,910
Rochester, MN$36,796
Reno, NV$36,778
Fresno, CA$36,778
Milwaukee, WI$36,745
Detroit, MI$36,708
Ann Arbor, MI$36,702
Allentown, PA$36,697
Colorado Springs, CO$36,635
Syracuse, NY$36,617
Carson City, NV$36,617
Houston, TX$36,565
Eugene, OR$36,547
Gary, IN$36,503
Springfield, OR$36,473
Bismarck, ND$36,466
Galveston, TX$36,440
Medford, OR$36,385
Fort Collins, CO$36,371
Concord, NH$36,352
Austin, TX$36,341
Mesa, AZ$36,264
Reading, PA$36,260
Phoenix, AZ$36,257
Dallas, TX$36,246
Saint Cloud, MN$36,211
Madison, WI$36,161
Utica, NY$36,062
Rochester, NY$36,004
Des Moines, IA$36,000
Raleigh, NC$35,996
Atlanta, GA$35,941
Battle Creek, MI$35,930
Salt Lake City, UT$35,919
Lancaster, PA$35,864
Harrisburg, PA$35,813
Kansas City, MO$35,776
Champaign, IL$35,769
Kansas City, KS$35,769
Fort Worth, TX$35,765
Columbus, OH$35,759
Boca Raton, FL$35,750
Pittsburgh, PA$35,736
Richmond, VA$35,721
Indianapolis, IN$35,714
Cleveland, OH$35,710
Las Vegas, NV$35,666
Cincinnati, OH$35,666
Petersburg, VA$35,611
Huntsville, AL$35,556
Lansing, MI$35,531
Lebanon, PA$35,526
Pueblo, CO$35,523
Appleton, WI$35,512
Buffalo, NY$35,497
Dayton, OH$35,486
Racine, WI$35,479
Charlotte, NC$35,475
Saint Louis, MO$35,464
York, PA$35,442
Elkhart, IN$35,442
Gastonia, NC$35,435
Billings, MT$35,426
Beaumont, TX$35,416
Lorain, OH$35,409
Benton Harbor, MI$35,402
Toledo, OH$35,394
Binghamton, NY$35,376
Rock Hill, SC$35,372
Rockford, IL$35,354
Springfield, IL$35,339
Elyria, OH$35,336
Fargo, ND$35,336
Flagstaff, AZ$35,310
Fort Lauderdale, FL$35,288
Duluth, MN$35,266
Miami, FL$35,266
Cheyenne, WY$35,240
Grand Forks, ND$35,240
Bangor, ME$35,159
Cedar Rapids, IA$35,119
Durham, NC$35,104
Louisville, KY$35,101
Grand Rapids, MI$35,093
Hialeah, FL$35,090
Casper, WY$35,038
Scranton, PA$34,994
New Orleans, LA$34,983
Virginia Beach, VA$34,979
Akron, OH$34,961
Peoria, IL$34,913
Sarasota, FL$34,906
Nashville, TN$34,880
Omaha, NE$34,880
Green Bay, WI$34,880
Baton Rouge, LA$34,862
Charleston, SC$34,855
Jamestown, NY$34,836
Davenport, IA$34,836
Tucson, AZ$34,818
Saint Petersburg, FL$34,796
Tampa, FL$34,789
Evansville, IN$34,767
Port Arthur, TX$34,767
Bradenton, FL$34,752
Santa Fe, NM$34,686
Orlando, FL$34,620
Clearwater, FL$34,609
Canton, OH$34,532
La Crosse, WI$34,532
Albuquerque, NM$34,510
Newport News, VA$34,506
High Point, NC$34,495
Ogden, UT$34,480
Corpus Christi, TX$34,451
Norfolk, VA$34,429
Laramie, WY$34,429
Rock Island, IL$34,407
Saginaw, MI$34,400
Jacksonville, FL$34,396
Salisbury, NC$34,389
Boise, ID$34,381
Moline, IL$34,363
Fort Myers, FL$34,352
Memphis, TN$34,344
Tulsa, OK$34,326
Waterloo, IA$34,304
Spartanburg, SC$34,267
Lincoln, NE$34,249
Fort Wayne, IN$34,242
Provo, UT$34,238
Cedar Falls, IA$34,194
San Antonio, TX$34,179
Greensboro, NC$34,165
South Bend, IN$34,161
Savannah, GA$34,121
Muskegon, MI$34,106
Birmingham, AL$34,102
Winston Salem, NC$34,084
Lake Charles, LA$33,996
Anderson, IN$33,988
Lexington, KY$33,977
Augusta, GA$33,966
Greenville, SC$33,966
Lima, OH$33,937
Wichita, KS$33,933
Tuscaloosa, AL$33,933
Columbia, SC$33,900
Springfield, OH$33,893
Asheville, NC$33,834
Bloomington, IN$33,809
Knoxville, TN$33,676
Shreveport, LA$33,673
Wilmington, NC$33,625
Roanoke, VA$33,625
Topeka, KS$33,559
Frankfort, KY$33,555
Oklahoma City, OK$33,530
Chillicothe, OH$33,515
Longview, TX$33,511
Melbourne, FL$33,508
Sioux Falls, SD$33,449
Mobile, AL$33,445
Terre Haute, IN$33,431
Altoona, PA$33,409
Amarillo, TX$33,383
Killeen, TX$33,372
Fayetteville, AR$33,342
Chattanooga, TN$33,331
Sioux City, IA$33,298
Idaho Falls, ID$33,291
Lynchburg, VA$33,262
Gainesville, FL$33,214
Portsmouth, OH$33,196
Little Rock, AR$33,188
Lafayette, LA$33,174
Youngstown, OH$33,174
Daytona Beach, FL$33,152
Clarksville, TN$33,148
Pensacola, FL$33,144
Temple, TX$33,142
Hopkinsville, KY$33,034
Erie, PA$33,027
Florence, SC$33,012
Charleston, WV$32,953
Great Falls, MT$32,935
Macon, GA$32,884
Tallahassee, FL$32,880
Fayetteville, NC$32,873
Waco, TX$32,865
Helena, MT$32,840
Pine Bluff, AR$32,826
Vincennes, IN$32,781
Lubbock, TX$32,766
Alamogordo, NM$32,744
Twin Falls, ID$32,711
Rapid City, SD$32,700
Jackson, MS$32,634
Huntington, WV$32,631
Greenville, MS$32,630
Parkersburg, WV$32,593
Montgomery, AL$32,586
Wichita Falls, TX$32,550
Springfield, MO$32,550
Biloxi, MS$32,531
Monroe, LA$32,495
Johnstown, PA$32,469
Sumter, SC$32,454
Columbus, GA$32,451
Pascagoula, MS$32,381
Abilene, TX$32,381
Kingsport, TN$32,285
Albany, GA$32,285
Gulfport, MS$32,274
Alexandria, LA$32,153
Fort Smith, AR$32,061
El Paso, TX$31,962
Las Cruces, NM$31,797
Harlingen, TX$31,704
Pocatello, ID$31,698
Florence, AL$31,650
Brownsville, TX$31,643
Mcallen, TX$31,566
Dothan, AL$31,515
Columbus, MS$31,297
Altus, OK$31,126
Lawton, OK$31,056
Pierre, SD$30,924
What Skills Can Increase a Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Commitment (Mentioned in 5.83% 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.
Medication Administration (Mentioned in 5.59% Job Postings): Medication administration is the direct application of a prescribed medication whether by injection, inhalation, ingestion, or other means to the body of the individual by an individual legally authorized to do so.
Service Quality (Mentioned in 3.86% Job Postings): Service quality is a measure of how an organization delivers its services compared to the expectations of its customers.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Commitment
5.83%
Medication Administration
5.59%
Service Quality
3.86%
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 Professional DSP/Caregiver's salary.
Social Work: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Social Work
$41,109
12%
Leadership
$40,008
9%
Analysis
$40,008
9%
Patient Care
$38,540
5%
Initiative
$38,173
4%
Written Communication
$38,173
4%
Get Latest Data
Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Direct Support Professional DSP/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 Professional DSP/Caregiver positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay,
as this sector often view Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industry for a Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare
$44,046
$21.0
20%
Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how a Direct Support Professional DSP/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.
Hourly
Monthly
Weekly
Yearly
Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$34,174
Average$36,705/year
$39,301
$2,848
Average$3,059/month
$3,275
$657
Average$706/week
$756
$16
Average$18/hour
$19
Annual Salary
Monthly Pay
Weekly Pay
Hourly Wage
75th Percentile
$39,301
$3,275
$756
$19
Average
$36,705
$3,059
$706
$18
25th Percentile
$34,174
$2,848
$657
$16
Salaries of jobs related to Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
Salary Trends for Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
Salaries for a Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $41,401 in 2023
to around $41,242 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$41,401
2024
$41,616
2025
$41,242
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$41,401
2024
$41,616
2025
$41,242
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers
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Common company salaries for Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
Here are companies hiring for Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver and their salaries, click below for more details.
N
$97,099/per year
New York Police Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$95,962/per year
State of New York - Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$94,615/per year
US Department of Transportation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$93,141/per year
US General Services Administration
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$92,342/per year
Los Angeles County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
D
$92,011/per year
Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,967/per year
US Department of Commerce
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,755/per year
US Department of Energy
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
F
$91,673/per year
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$90,276/per year
Naval Sea Systems Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,975/per year
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$88,721/per year
San Diego County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,664/per year
The TTB
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$87,569/per year
Lutheran Services
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
M
$85,066/per year
Maryland Inc
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$83,780/per year
State University of New York
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$82,969/per year
New York State
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
P
$82,703/per year
Puerto Rico Department of Education
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$80,526/per year
US Central Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
H
$80,286/per year
Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$79,270/per year
Air Force Reserve
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$78,505/per year
American Automobile Association (AAA)
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$76,678/per year
State of Florida - Department of Health
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$75,183/per year
New York State Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$75,106/per year
State University System of Florida
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
Find Your Next Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver Job
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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...
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PRICY STAFFING & HOMECARE AGENCY LL | Columbus, OH
Job Description. Job Description. WE ARE URGENTLY SEEKING FOR AN EXPERIENCE DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS FOR AN URGENT POSITION IN. HILLIAD, CANAL WINCHEST...
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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...
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Job Description. Job Description. Heart that Heals is seeking experienced Direct Support Professionals to work with clients that receive services through D...
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Job Description. Job Description. Direct Support Professional. Job Summary. Cap City Supported Living seeks a compassionate and dedicated Direct Support Pr...
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Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Bonus based on performance. Competitive salary. Flexible schedule. Opportunity for advancement. Training & deve...
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FAQ about Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver
1. What industry pays the highest salary for Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver?
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Direct Support Professional DSP/Caregiver 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.
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