ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Independent Living Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MorrrHeart Services LLC

CA

$15 - $16/hr

Instructors will teach social and daily living skills to adults with developmental disabilities. We support individuals who choose to live independently in the community with supports. Instructors ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsIndependent Living Instructor Jobs

Independent Living Instructor information

See salary details

$15

$18

$23

How much do independent living instructor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for independent living instructor in the United States is $18.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Independent Living Instructors face when supporting clients, and how can these be addressed?

Independent Living Instructors often encounter challenges such as varying levels of client motivation, communication barriers, and the need to tailor support to individual needs. Building trust and rapport, practicing patience, and using creative teaching methods can help overcome these obstacles. Collaboration with other support professionals and ongoing training in adaptive techniques also enable instructors to provide effective, person-centered assistance while maintaining a positive and supportive environment.

What is the difference between Independent Living Instructor vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectIndependent Living InstructorPersonal Care Assistant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma; certifications in disability support or related fields often preferredHigh school diploma; certifications in caregiving or health support often required
Work EnvironmentCommunity settings, homes, educational facilitiesPrivate homes, healthcare facilities, assisted living
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, educational institutionsHome healthcare agencies, private families, healthcare providers
Job FocusTeaching independent living skills, advocacy, and support for individuals with disabilitiesAssisting with daily personal care tasks and activities

Both roles support individuals with disabilities, but Independent Living Instructors focus on teaching skills and promoting independence, while Personal Care Assistants primarily provide hands-on personal care. The choice depends on whether you prefer educational and advocacy roles or direct caregiving tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Independent Living Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Independent Living Instructor, you need a background in social services, education, or a related field, often supported by experience or certification in working with individuals with disabilities or special needs. Familiarity with individualized support plans, assistive technologies, and case management systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, patience, and problem-solving abilities help build trust and effectively teach daily living skills. These competencies ensure clients can achieve greater autonomy and well-being while safely navigating everyday challenges.

What are Independent Living Instructors?

Independent Living Instructors are professionals who help individuals with disabilities or special needs develop the skills necessary to live as independently as possible. They teach daily living skills such as cooking, budgeting, personal hygiene, and using public transportation. These instructors often work in community organizations, group homes, or private settings, providing personalized support and guidance. Their goal is to empower clients to achieve greater self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.
More about Independent Living Instructor jobs
What cities are hiring for Independent Living Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Independent Living Instructor job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Independent Living Instructor jobs? The top employers for Independent Living Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Independent Living Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Independent Living Instructor jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Independent Living Instructor jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Independent Living Instructor jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Independent Living Instructor jobs? For Independent Living Instructor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Independent Living Instructor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Independent Living Instructor job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 24% Part Time, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,842 per year, or $18.7 per hour.
ILS Instructor / Independent Living Skills Instructor

ILS Instructor / Independent Living Skills Instructor

Thrive Support Services, Inc.

Hayward, CA

$20 - $25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

ILS Instructor / Independent Living Skills Instructor (Full-Time)

Location: Hayward, CA

Salary: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Hiring Bonus: $600 hiring bonus ($200 after the first full week working with clients and $400 after the completion of 90 days).

About this position: Independent Living Skills Instructor (Full-Time)

Our ILS Instructors work one-on-one with people with developmental disabilities to empower your clients to reach their personal goals of independence and community participation. You would teach independent living skills in a motivating, personalized, and professional environment.

  • As an ILS Instructor, you would have a caseload of around 3-6 clients. We have clients available all over Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.
  • No experience required! We will train you.
  • This job is a good way to gain experience in the fields of social work, social services, mental health, or case management. We seek applicants who want to make a difference in the lives of others and are both gifted teachers and teachable themselves.
  • You will receive training and have the opportunity to support clients with the following goals:
  • Money management
  • Medical, dental, and medication management
  • Basic cooking and meal preparation
  • Utilizing public transportation
  • Locating affordable housing
  • Obtaining and maintaining benefits such as Social Security, Medi-Cal, Medicare, etc.
  • Community involvement and socialization goals
  • Household maintenance

Additionally, ILS Instructors are required to plan and participate in at least one community outing per month with each client. These outings support real-world skill building, social engagement, and greater independence within the community.

This job might be for you if:

  • You believe that all people should be in the driver's seat of their own life.
  • You enjoy supporting and helping people, no task is too small!
  • You enjoy working with people with many different lifestyles and backgrounds.
  • You are comfortable responding to unexpected challenges; you are cool under pressure and think quickly on your feet.
  • You like working independently but communicate with your team and supervisor.
  • You like to learn new things and can learn quickly; when things change, you can roll with the punches.
  • You follow through with commitments.
  • You have access to a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and auto insurance, and you are willing to drive your clients to various appointments and errands to help accomplish their goals (we reimburse mileage!)

Requirements:

  • A desire to help others.
  • Access to a Reliable Vehicle
  • Valid Drivers License
  • Auto Insurance (100k/300k bodily injury liability)
  • Pass a DOJ/FBI fingerprint clearance.

Job Type: Full-Time

Salary: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Health & Wellness Benefits:

  • $600 hiring bonus ($200 after the first full week working with clients and $400 after the completion of 90 days).
  • Health Insurance, Dental & Vision coverage
  • Costco Membership
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employer Matching 401k.

Full Benefits Package Up To $12,000

Candidates that tend to do well as ILS Instructors can come from the following backgrounds: IHSS, IHSS Provider, In-Home Support Services, Caregiver, Home Health Aide, Personal Attendant, Direct Support Professional (DSP), Paraprofessional, Behavioral Therapist or anyone that has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities such as intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy and downs syndrome etc.

About Our Organization:

Thrive Support Services was founded in 2007 with the goal of helping adults with developmental disabilities Thrive in their own homes and chosen communities. We believe that every individual, regardless of disability, has the right to live in the place of their choosing and with the people they want by their side. We serve clients throughout the Alameda and Contra Costa County Areas. We truly see this endeavor as a way to make a difference in peoples' lives every day. Visit our website at www.ThriveSupportServices.com.

#SJ2024


Applicants must be able to pass a DOJ/FBI fingerprint screening. 

Apply