This factsheet presents an analysis of wage disparities between direct care workers and similar occupations across the United States in 2023, as well as trends in this wage gap from 2014 to 2023.
Key Takeaways
In all 50 states and DC, median wages for direct care workers were lower than median wages for similar occupations. The hourly wage gap ranged from $0.46 in Rhode Island to $5.56 in Texas.
In 39 states, the wage gap was at least $2.00 per hour, and in 19 of those states, it exceeded $3.00 per hour.
The wage gap narrowed in 32 states, with improvements ranging from $0.08 in Alabama to $2.00 in Oregon. The gap widened in 17 states, with increases of over $2.00 in Vermont, Texas, and Delaware.
