This fact sheet shows that in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the direct care worker median wage is lower than the median wage for other occupations with similar entry-level requirements, such as janitors, retail salespersons, and customer service representatives. In many states, direct care worker wages also cannot compete with occupations with lower entry-level requirements.
Key Takeaways
In all 50 states and DC, the direct care worker median wage is lower than the median wage for other occupations with similar entry-level requirements, such as janitors, retail salespersons, and customer service representatives.
In 46 states and DC, the direct care worker median wage is less than a dollar higher than the median wage for occupations with lower entry-level requirements (like housekeepers, groundskeepers, and food preparation workers).
In 23 states and DC, direct care worker wages are lower than wages for occupations with the most minimal entry-level requirements.
Robert Espinoza oversees PHI's national advocacy and public education division on the direct care workforce, and contributes vision and leadership to the organization's strategies.
