Moving Within and Out of Direct Care: An Analysis of Annual Mobility of Direct Care Workers

Key Takeaways
Most direct care workers remain in the field year-to-year (81%), but those who leave typically go to higher-paying occupations. About 93% of workers who leave direct care transition to jobs with higher median wages, even though these new roles generally don't require higher education or training levels.
Demographics play a significant role in direct care worker mobility. Men and white workers exit direct care at higher rates than women and workers of color. Specifically, white men (11%) are most likely to leave for different occupations, while women of color (6%) are least likely to leave.
When direct care workers change careers, they predominantly stay in healthcare (65%), with medical assistant being the most common transition occupation (17%). This suggests workers are seeking similar roles with better compensation or working conditions rather than leaving the care sector entirely.