National Core Indicators Project: Direct Care Workforce Surveys
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) conducts workforce surveys with providers and agencies that deliver direct care services through Wisconsin's Medicaid long-term care programs.
The surveys collect information about wages, benefits, turnover, vacancies, workforce demographics, and other factors. DHS uses the results to understand workforce trends and help inform efforts to strengthen and support Wisconsin's direct care workforce.
Current surveys
National Core Indicators Intellectual and Developmental Disability (NCI-IDD) State of the Workforce Survey
- 2025 workforce data from Wisconsin agencies providing long-term care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Survey period: March 3–July 31, 2026. This survey period has closed and results will be shared once available.
National Core Indicators Aging and Physically Disabled (NCI-AD) State of the Workforce Survey
- 2025 workforce data from Wisconsin agencies providing long-term care to adults who are aging or adults who have physical disabilities.
- Survey period: September 23–November 30, 2026.
NCI-IDD and NCI-AD are part of the National Core Indicators survey initiative. Wisconsin participates in these surveys along with other states. National survey results can provide a comparison between Wisconsin's workforce and workforce trends reported by participating states. Learn more about National Core Indicators (NCI).
Questions or want to participate?
Email dhscaregivercareer@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Wisconsin historical workforce data
2023 and 2021 NCI-IDD State of the Workforce Survey
- 2023 survey conducted February 12–July 21, 2024
- 2021 survey conducted January 1–September 31, 2022
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin | 2021 Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Female | 75.6% | 77.3% |
| Male | 20.8% | 21.5% |
| Unknown or other | 3.4% | 6.0% |
| Identified as White | 58.6% | 62.3% |
| Identified as Black or African American | 23.3% | 21.4% |
| Identified as Asian | 3.6% | 3.4% |
| Identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx | 2.8% | 3.2% |
| Identified as Indian or Alaska Native | 2.3% | 2.3% |
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin | 2023 NCI-IDD average | 2021 Wisconsin | 2021 NCI-IDD average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting wage | $14.37 | $16.49 | $12.90 | $13.61 |
| Overall wage | $15.24 | $17.34 | $13.53 | $14.41 |
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin | 2023 NCI-IDD average | 2021 Wisconsin | 2021 NCI-IDD average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | 41.7% | 39.7% | 49.9% | 43.3% |
| Full-time vacancy | 14.5% | 12.2% | 15.7% | 16.5% |
| Part-time vacancy | 19.5% | 14.6% | 16.8% | 20.3% |
| Paid time off | 57.5% | 75.9% | 62.3% | 73.7% |
See the full 2023 and 2021 NCI-IDD State of the Workforce report.
2023 and 2021 NCI-AD State of the Workforce Survey
- 2023 survey conducted September 15–November 30, 2024
- 2021 survey conducted September 1–October 31, 2022
NCI-AD workforce demographics Measure 2023 Wisconsin 2021 Wisconsin Female 77.4% 77.1% Male 18.7% 19.3% Unknown or other 3.9% 3.6% Identified as White 59.3% 55.4% Identified as Black or African American 22.9% 23.3% Identified as Asian 2.8% 4.0% Identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx 2.8% 2.5% Identified as Indian or Alaska Native 2.0% 1.1% NCI-AD wages Measure 2023 Wisconsin 2023 NCI-AD average 2021 Wisconsin 2021 NCI-AD average Overall wage $15.47 $16.27 $13.85 $14.35
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin | 2023 NCI-AD average | 2021 Wisconsin | 2021 NCI-AD average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover | 48.0% | 47.8% | 49.6% | 64.4% |
| Full-time vacancy | 11.8% | 8.4% | 17.1% | 17.7% |
| Part-time vacancy | 14.5% | 7.9% | 25.2% | 19.7% |
| Paid time off | 53.0% | 55.1% | 54.0% | NA |
To see the full 2023 and 2021 NCI-AD State of the Workforce report.
2023 Children's Long-Term Support Services Survey
Survey conducted August 12–September 15, 2024
DHS conducted a workforce survey of agencies who served children in the CLTS Program for the calendar year 2023. The purpose was to collect data about the direct care staff who provide support, help with skills development, guidance, or personal assistance to children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health, or physical disabilitiesin the CLTS Program.
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Female | 79% |
| Male | 18% |
| Unknown | 2% |
| Identified as White | 43% |
| Unknown | 35% |
| Identified as Black or African American | 11% |
| Identified as Asian | 2% |
| Identified as Hispanic, Latino, or Latinx | 5% |
| Identified as Indian or Alaska Native | 1% |
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Average hourly wage to all direct care workers | $20.30 |
| Average hourly wage to all direct care workers who serve only CLTS participants | $23.10 |
| Measure | 2023 Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Turnover | 91.6% (estimate) |
| Full-time and part-time vacancy | 16.3% (estimate) |
| Paid time off | 51.7% |
Visit the DHS CLTS program webpage for more information on how the CLTS program helps children with disabilities and their families.
WisCaregiver Careers offers free direct care training
WisCaregiver Careers is a free workforce advancement program for training to become a Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) and/or a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA). These programs are offered by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.