University of Minnesota Policy Research Brief: Wage Compression Among Direct Support Professionals

The Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota has issued a new policy research brief entitled Wage Compression Among Direct Support Professionals. The brief highlights the impact of wage compression among direct support professionals (DSP) and how it contributes to the recruitment and retention crisis in the direct care workforce. In particular, the study demonstrates that current average hourly wage increase among DSPs falls short of the average 3-5% annual increase for U.S. workers.

The research brief also contains policy recommendations including calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to require states to set rates sufficient for recruiting and retaining DSPs, ensuring wage increases for DSPs are not limited solely to signing bonuses, advocating for cost of living increases for home and community-based services, and more. For additional recommendations and research findings, see the policy brief.