Direct Care Counselor Salaries in California
How Much Does a Direct Care Counselor Make in California?
Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Direct Care Counselor in California is $38,630.
While Salary.com is seeing that Direct Care Counselor salary in CA can go up to $45,902
or down to $31,327, but most earn between $34,807 and $42,436.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors,
including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Direct Care Counselor
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Similar Job Salaries to Direct Care Counselor by Company
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| Company | average base salary in (usd) | range |
|---|---|---|
|
Blue Heron Programs
Employment Counselor/Direct Support Professional
|
$86,618/yr
|
RANGE: $76,972 - $96,263
|
|
Wayfinder Family Services
Direct Support Camp Counselor, Recreation
|
$62,767/yr
|
RANGE: $54,675 - $70,860
|
|
Independent living Association, Inc
Clinical Direct Care Counselor
|
$48,516/yr
|
RANGE: $44,195 - $52,837
|
|
Constructive Partnerships Unlimited
Direct Care Counselor
|
$43,612/yr
|
RANGE: $40,173 - $47,052
|
|
New Life Transitional Center
Direct Care Counselor
|
$36,778/yr
|
RANGE: $33,878 - $39,679
|
|
CP Unlimited
Direct Care Counselor
|
$43,142/yr
|
RANGE: $39,848 - $46,437
|
|
Tatum Psychology Employment Group
Direct Care Staff / MA's
|
$52,489/yr
|
RANGE: $46,420 - $58,558
|
Top 10 Highest Paying Cities For Direct Care Counselor Jobs in California
It is important to understand how location impacts your career prospects in the United States.
There are some cities where a Direct Care Counselor can find a job easily with a greater salary paid then achieve a higher standard of living.
Below is the top cities list for Direct Care Counselor job salaries in California.
Some cities can pay higher salaries for Direct Care Counselor jobs, which can indicate that there is a large demand for Direct Care Counselor positions in this city.
The following table shows top 10 cities where the Direct Care Counselor salary is higher than other cities in California.
San Jose takes first place in this list, followed by Santa Clara, Fremont.
The Direct Care Counselor salary is $44,174 in San Jose,
which is higher than the national average. There are 76 cities' Direct Care Counselor salary higher than national average in California.
The average salary for a Direct Care Counselor in California is $38,630,
but we found that the city with the highest salary for Direct Care Counselor jobs is San Jose, CA, and it is higher than Santa Clara.
Direct Care Counselor jobs in San Jose can have the opportunity to earn higher salaries than in other cities in California.
| CITY | ANNUAL SALARY | MONTHLY PAY | WEEKLY PAY | HOURLY WAGE |
| San Jose | $44,174 | $3,681 | $849 | $21 |
| Santa Clara | $44,174 | $3,681 | $849 | $21 |
| Fremont | $44,090 | $3,674 | $848 | $21 |
| San Francisco | $43,740 | $3,645 | $841 | $21 |
| Daly City | $43,740 | $3,645 | $841 | $21 |
| Berkeley | $42,769 | $3,564 | $822 | $21 |
| Oakland | $42,769 | $3,564 | $822 | $21 |
| Hayward | $42,699 | $3,558 | $821 | $21 |
| Antioch | $40,353 | $3,363 | $776 | $19 |
| Vallejo | $39,400 | $3,283 | $758 | $19 |
What Does a Direct Care Counselor Do?
You can also discuss your symptoms and needs with your primary care physician who can then refer you to a mental health counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Updated December 15, 2021
A direct care counselor is responsible for providing continuous care to clients in community facilities or group homes that provide help to children, adults, and seniors with special health needs or mental disabilities.
Updated December 11, 2021
In some states and circumstances, you may be able to work in a support role in the mental health field without becoming a licensed professional counselor as long as your work is supervised by a licensed professional, though you will not be able to provide direct counseling services.
Updated November 16, 2021
– those working in either mental health or direct care must have a strong grasp of ethics and personal boundaries in their career.
Updated October 30, 2021
On the other hand, graduates with just a bachelor's in social work (BSW) can proceed straight into a direct social work position, such as case manager, care coordinator, or healthcare social worker.
Updated December 18, 2021
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a Direct Care Counselor Salaries
What is the average of a Direct Care Counselor in California?
The Direct Care Counselor salary range is from $34,807 to $42,436, and the average Direct Care Counselor salary is $38,630/year in California.
The Direct Care Counselor's salary will change in different locations.
Which location pays the highest Direct Care Counselor salary in the United States?
The Direct Care Counselor salary in San Jose, CA is $44,174
which is the highest in the US.
What kinds of reasons will influence the Direct Care Counselor's salary?
Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary.
Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Direct Care Counselor.
What is the growth rate of the Direct Care Counselor's salary?
If you are thinking of becoming a Direct Care Counselor or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Direct Care Counselor.
