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New Mexico Value:
Dollar amount shortfall between the average hourly wages for direct care jobs and other comparable entry-level jobs
New Mexico Rank:
Dollar amount shortfall between the average hourly wages for direct care jobs and other comparable entry-level jobs
$1.56 - $2.17
$2.18 - $2.58
$2.59 - $2.97
$2.98 - $3.64
$3.65 - $5.03
US Value: $2.89
Top State(s): New Hampshire: $1.56
Bottom State(s): Louisiana: $4.88
Definition: Dollar amount shortfall between the average hourly wages for direct care jobs and other comparable entry-level jobs
Data Source and Years(s): AARP Public Policy Institute, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard Report Series, 2021
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of AARP Public Policy Institute, Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard Report Series, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Direct care workers, like home health aides, personal care aides and certified nursing assistants, provide essential services for older adults and people with disabilities that affect daily living activities such as dressing, bathing and eating. Home health aides and certified nursing assistants also perform clinical tasks like wound care and blood pressure readings. Direct care workers are essential to the well-being of more than 20 million Americans.
Projections suggest that the number of older adults in the United States will increase from 57.8 million to 88.8 million between 2022 and 2060, and the 85 and older population in particular will triple, driving up the demand for direct care workers. However, despite demand, shortages in the direct care workforce persist. In 2022, direct care workers had a median annual income of $25,015, leaving more than one-third of the workforce in or near poverty.
In 2023, home health aides and personal care assistants had lower average wages than other entry-level workers at $15.18 an hour, $3.73 less on average than comparable entry-level jobs. Certified nursing assistants made slightly more at $18.58 an hour, still $0.33 less than comparable entry-level jobs.
Research has shown that implementing policies at the state level to improve direct care worker wages has decreased the wage gap. However, closing the wage gap would require an average 16% increase in direct care worker wages. A 12% increase would ensure that direct care workers could afford basic needs without public assistance.
More strategies for improving direct care work include providing competitive benefits, such as full-time employment opportunities and health insurance, and offering worker development to help direct care workers advance in their careers.
D’Angelo, Sophia, Olga Khavjou, Marie Squillace, Judy Dey, Iara Oliveira, and Denise Tyler. “Wages of Direct Care Workers Continue to Be Lower in Most States Relative to Other Entry-Level Jobs.” Issue Brief. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, December 20, 2024. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/9f37d617a1b21bf0c2dfad433b1c95af/dcw-entry-level-wages-continue-lower.pdf.
Khavjou, Olga, Guadalupe Suarez, Denise Tyler, Marie Squillace, Judy Dey, and Iara Oliveira. “Direct Care Workforce Experienced Limited Wage Improvements Despite State Policy Efforts.” Issue Brief. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, January 9, 2024. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/328622aa1a80819273a80a16d196a3ba/state-efforts-improve-dcw-wages-ib.pdf.
Tyler, Denise, Melissa Hunter, Kristie Porter, Marc Horvath, and Guadalupe Suarez. “State Efforts to Improve Direct Care Workforce Wages: State Case Studies Report.” Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy, January 9, 2024. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ba806f15767b42593752744aab3e17ba/dcw-wages-state-case-studies.pdf.
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