Direct-care workers provide an estimated 70 to 80 percent of the paid hands-on services and supports received by persons with disabilities or chronic care needs. These workers help consumers bathe, dress, and eat, among other daily tasks. They are a lifeline for those they serve, as well as for families struggling to provide quality care.

 

Demographic Characteristics

Gender
Female: 90%
Male: 10%

Average Age
All direct-care workers: 42
In nursing facilities: 38
In home health care: 45
Self-employed or working directly for private households: 49

Race/Ethnicity
White, non-hispanic: 49%
African American, non-Hispanic: 28%
Spanish, Hispanic or Latino: 16%

Immigration Status
Foreign born: 23%

Education
High school diploma or less: 59%
Some college or advanced degree: 41%

Head of household
Single parent, grandparent or caretaker: 17%

Employment & Income Characteristics

Employment Status
Employed full-time year round: 57%
Employed part-time or full-time part of the year: 43%

Median Annual Earnings
(accounting for part-time hours)
All direct-care workers: $17,000
Personal & home care aides: $12,048
Nursing, psychiatric & home health aides: $20,000

Health Insurance Status
All direct-care workers, uninsured: 26%
Uninsured in nursing care facilities: 22%
Uninsured in home health care services: 33%

Family Poverty Status & Reliance on Public Benefits
Workers under 150% of the federal poverty line: 29%
Workers in households relying on public benefits: 41%

*PHI analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2009 Annual Social & Economic (ASEC) Supplement, with statistical programming and data analysis provided by Carlos Figueiredo.