What it is: National Core Indicators (NCI) State of the Workforce is the primary national data source on the direct support workforce, run by the Human Services Research Institute and NASDDDS. NCI-IDD covers DSPs serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; a companion aging-and-disabilities survey covers direct service workers serving older adults and people with physical disabilities.
Key figures:
| Measure | NCI-IDD (calendar year 2024) | Aging and disabilities (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Agencies surveyed | 3,936 in 26 states and D.C. | More than 1,200 in 6 states |
| Workers represented | 344,179 DSPs | More than 1.4 million direct service workers |
| Average turnover | 37% (state range 17% to 54%) | 48% |
| Median hourly wage | $18.39 | $16.00 |
| Agencies offering health insurance | 57% | Not reported here |
| Agencies offering employer-sponsored retirement | 54% | Not reported here |
| Agencies offering paid time off | 70% | Not reported here |
| Agencies paying a median wage more than $0.50 below their state's living wage | Not reported here | 99% |
| Agencies that turned away or stopped referrals because of staffing | Not reported here | About one in three |
The authors of the aging-and-disabilities survey identify low wages and limited benefits as likely contributors to turnover.
Practical takeaway: Benchmark your own turnover and wages against the matching survey (IDD versus aging and disabilities) and your state's figures, not a single national number.
Last verified against the cited source on October 30, 2026.
General information, not legal advice. Requirements change; confirm against the official source before you act, or ask us how this applies to your organization.