Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One
Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers made a median $49,820 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average hourly wage works out to about $24. That puts the occupation in the middle of the U.S. wage scale, a notch above many of the workers they oversee. The top 10% earned $78,770 or more, while the bottom 10% took home $34,680 or less.
How much Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers earn
The median annual salary for Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers is $49,820, with a mean of $54,200. Hourly, that averages around $24. But most supervisors fall into a wide range: from about $34,680 at the 10th percentile to $78,770 at the 90th.
Pay can vary depending on the specific industry. For example, supervisors working in residential intellectual and developmental disability facilities earned a mean of $49,900, while those in individual and family services averaged $53,930. The highest-paying industry for this role is junior colleges, with a mean of $73,520, though it employs relatively few supervisors. State government also pays above average at $68,500.
Experience and location matter, too. Supervisors with several years of direct care experience can command higher pay, and those in high-cost-of-living areas may see bigger numbers, though the BLS does not break out state-level pay for this occupation.
Pay by state
State-level data for Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers is not provided by the BLS for most states due to insufficient sample sizes. The only reliable figure is the national median. However, supervisory jobs in states with higher overall wage levels — such as New York, California, or Massachusetts — likely pay above the national median, while states in the South and Midwest may fall below.
As a rough guide, the highest-paying metropolitan areas include Napa, CA, where the mean wage reaches $72,200. Conversely, the Brownsville-Harlingen, TX area reports a mean of $38,000. But without official state-level figures, focus on the national typical range to gauge your potential.
How to become Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers
This role typically requires at least a high school diploma and several years of experience in personal care or a related field. Many supervisors start as personal care aides, home health aides, or recreation workers, then move up after demonstrating leadership skills.
- Gain experience as a personal care aide, home health aide, or similar direct-care role (often 1-3 years required).
- Consider a certificate or associate degree in health sciences, gerontology, or human services, which can strengthen your candidacy.
- Obtain CPR and first aid certification; some employers require a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license if overseeing clinical tasks.
- Apply for supervisory openings at home care agencies, nursing homes, group homes, or community centers.
- On-the-job training covers scheduling, regulatory compliance, and staff management.
Job outlook
The BLS does not project specific growth for this occupation from 2024-2034, but the broader personal care and service worker category is expected to grow much faster than average due to an aging population. That means demand for supervisors will likely follow. Turnover in this field is high, which also creates openings. The occupation currently employs 243,320 people nationwide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Supervisor of Personal Care and Service Workers make per hour?
The mean hourly wage is about $24, according to the BLS. The median annual salary is $49,820.
What is the job outlook for Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers?
The BLS does not provide a specific growth projection for this occupation, but the broader personal care sector is growing fast due to aging Baby Boomers. Expect steady demand.
Do I need a degree to become a Supervisor of Personal Care and Service Workers?
Typically, you need a high school diploma and experience in direct care. An associate degree in human services or a related field can help, but is not always required.
What is the highest paying industry for these supervisors?
Junior colleges pay the highest mean wage at $73,520, though few supervisors work there. State government and residential facilities also offer above-average pay.
How many people work in this occupation?
The BLS reports 243,320 people employed as Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers as of 2023.
Salary figures are U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates (OEWS / Employment Projections). For informational purposes only; not career or financial advice. See the full Supervisors of Personal Care and Service Workers data.