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Job outlook for direct care workers in the United States
Direct care worker job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected direct care worker job growth rate is 36% from 2018-2028.
About 1,185,800 new jobs for direct care workers are projected over the next decade.
Direct care worker salaries have increased 26% for direct care workers in the last 5 years.
There are over 283,827 direct care workers currently employed in the United States.
There are 140,788 active direct care worker job openings in the US.
The average direct care worker salary is $29,343.
Are direct care worker jobs in demand?
Direct Care Worker job and salary trends over time
Direct Care Worker jobs over time
Direct Care Worker job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 283,827 | 0.08% |
| 2020 | 194,808 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 427,141 | 0.13% |
| 2018 | 1,300,915 | 0.39% |
| 2017 | 1,197,239 | 0.36% |
Average direct care worker salary over time
Direct Care Worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,343 | $14.11 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | $27,360 | $13.15 | +7.4% |
| 2023 | $25,482 | $12.25 | +4.0% |
| 2022 | $24,506 | $11.78 | +5.4% |
| 2021 | $23,254 | $11.18 | +4.5% |
Direct Care Worker jobs by state
Most common states for direct care workers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | 961,939 | 372 | 39% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 469 | 35% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 243 | 35% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 294 | 34% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 616 | 32% |
| 6 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,854 | 30% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,966 | 29% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,571 | 28% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 213 | 28% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,715 | 26% |
| 11 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,729 | 26% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,094 | 26% |
| 13 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,627 | 25% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,020 | 24% |
| 15 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,743 | 24% |
| 16 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 505 | 24% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,299 | 23% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,129 | 22% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 687 | 22% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 677 | 22% |
Most common cities for direct care workers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danvers | 8 | 30% | $30,532 |
| 2 | Waltham | 3 | 5% | $30,539 |
| 3 | Pittsfield | 2 | 5% | $30,619 |
| 4 | Daytona Beach | 2 | 3% | $22,264 |
| 5 | Fort Myers | 2 | 3% | $22,375 |
| 6 | Amherst | 1 | 3% | $30,582 |
Direct Care Worker job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of direct care worker experts
Oklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Springfield College
North Dakota State University
Penny Ridenour
Dean of School of Health SciencesOklahoma State University - Oklahoma City
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What Direct Care Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Penny Ridenour: To differentiate yourself from the other new professionals entering healthcare after graduation, pay attention to the soft skills employers are looking for. Listening, empathy, and communication skills polish professional persona. Also, developing skills in resiliency will equip new professionals for a growing career in healthcare.
Megan Harvey Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Health ScienceSpringfield College
School of Health Sciences
What skills stand out on Direct Care Worker resumes?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: Students who plan to go into the health care field need to have both determination and thick skin and the ability to be empathic and understand their patients. We've seen the way health care professionals are being treated change, even just in the past 5 years. It can be a hard balance to walk for health care professionals, to be both firm about evidence-based practice and empathetic and kind to their patients, but it's really the only way to achieve the best possible patient outcomes. I imagine that showing that you have worked in challenging health care situations is one way to show that you're developing this skill on your resume.
What skills will help Direct Care Workers earn the most?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: The highest earners are probably those who know how to set themselves apart from their peers and who are warm and approachable to their patients. You can't fake being a good health care provider, and you won't be a high earner in this field unless you're good at what you do. There's no shortcut for putting the time and effort in that it takes to truly care about getting the best outcome possible for your patient.
Joel Hektner Ph.D.
Professor and Department HeadNorth Dakota State University
Human Development and Family Science
What skills will help Direct Care Workers earn the most?
Joel Hektner Ph.D.: The ability to adapt your skills to the context you are in.