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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Direct Care Counselor in Pennsylvania is $39,660 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Direct Care Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Direct Care Counselor Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $43,239 | $3,603 | $832 | $21 |
| Average | $39,660 | $3,305 | $763 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,308 | $3,026 | $698 | $17 |
Resources for Human Development - Glassport, PA
Abraxas Youth and Family Services - South Mountain, PA
Novus Group - Erie, PA
Bayada Home Health Care - Wilkes-Barre, PA
A Direct Care Counselor'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Direct Care Counselor'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Behaviora... Level Direct Care Counselor | $36,773 |
| Home Care... Level Direct Care Counselor | $33,182 |
| Direct Ca... Level Direct Care Counselor | $39,893 |
| Home Care... Level Direct Care Counselor | $44,524 |
| Home Care... Level Direct Care Counselor | $44,581 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Care Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Direct Care Counselor 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 Care Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Direct Care Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $47,592 | $23.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Direct Care Counselor'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $43,239 | $3,603 | $832 | $21 |
| Average | $39,660 | $3,305 | $763 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,308 | $3,026 | $698 | $17 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Direct Care Counselor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
NYVA Healthcare Services, LLC
Allentown, PA
NYVA Healthcare Services, LLC | Allentown, PA
Requirements - Candidates must have reliable transportation and the ability to work a scheduled shift A negative 2 step TB test results, or QuantiFERON blo... more
1 Day Ago
GLC Group
Selinsgrove, PA
GLC Group | Selinsgrove, PA
Job Description RN Direct Care - Selinsgrove, PA Length:13 weeks Shifts:5x8 Evenings Start Date:ASAP Travel Pay Package Weekly Gross:$2,126 Apply Now. Send... more
1 Day Ago
365 Health Services
Wayne, PA
365 Health Services | Wayne, PA
Job Description. Job Description. 365 Health Services is looking for a Caregiver to join our team. The Caregiver is responsible for the physical care and e... more
2 Days Ago
Familiar Roads Home Healthcare Agency
Newtown, PA
Familiar Roads Home Healthcare Agency | Newtown, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Direct Care Worker (DCW) – Newtown, PA 18940. Location. Newtown, Bucks County, PA 18940. Employment Type. Full-Time | Par... more
2 Days Ago
Exceptional Hearts Home Care
Allentown, PA
Exceptional Hearts Home Care | Allentown, PA
This job schedule for this job is 84 hours per week.Full time shift from 7pm to 7am, Monday - Sunday.The client only speaks spanish, so spanish is a must. ... more
4 Days Ago
Community Counseling Center of Mercer County
Hermitage, PA
Community Counseling Center of Mercer County | Hermitage, PA
Job Description. Job Description. POSITION: The Residential Program Worker On Call supervises and assists the residents in all daily life skills. They repo... more
4 Days Ago
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