by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Developmental Services Worker explores Developmental Services Worker. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Practical Knowledge And Skills To Support Individuals With A Variety Of Physical, Mental Or Developmental Disabilities In A Family Or Community Setting. Includes Instruction In Health Care, Basic Nutrition, Pharmacology, Nursing, Autism, Mental Health, Psychology, Sociology, Behavioral Analysis, Communication, Intervention, Counseling And Community Services, And Developmental Services, Such As Literacy And Life Skills Training. Continue reading for the key facts every developmental services worker major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering developmental services worker programs.
In the U.S., developmental services worker draws strong interest, with 59 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Developmental Services Worker Schools ranking analyzes these 11 schools to determine the best overall colleges for developmental services worker students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of developmental services worker programs later in this article.
Programs in Developmental Services Worker build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations developmental services worker graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a developmental services worker program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a developmental services worker major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several developmental services worker degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 3 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 13 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 38 |
People currently working in careers related to developmental services worker tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 39.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 18.0% |
| Some college courses | 16.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 10.4% |
| Master’s degree | 7.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in developmental services worker careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in developmental services worker can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to developmental services worker.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to developmental services worker.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | 253,977 | 9.5% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of developmental services worker graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,243 |
| 4 years | $38,875 |
| 5 years | $44,531 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for developmental services worker graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers developmental services worker grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $69,957 |
With 11 different developmental services worker programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased developmental services worker school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in developmental services worker, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Child Care Provider/Assistant | 22,533 |
| Human Development and Family Studies, General | 8,444 |
| Child Development | 4,599 |
| Child Care and Support Services Management | 3,901 |
| Family and Community Services | 1,267 |
| Family Systems | 765 |
| Early Childhood and Family Studies | 439 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other | 429 |
| Adult Development and Aging | 238 |
| Parent Education Services | 126 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
