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Developmental technician vs direct support professional

The differences between developmental technicians and direct support professionals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct support professional has an average salary of $32,077, which is higher than the $31,175 average annual salary of a developmental technician.

The top three skills for a developmental technician include developmental disabilities, direct care and autism. The most important skills for a direct support professional are direct support, developmental disabilities, and autism.

Developmental technician vs direct support professional overview

Developmental TechnicianDirect Support Professional
Yearly salary$31,175$32,077
Hourly rate$14.99$15.42
Growth rate9%36%
Number of jobs58,292142,034
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 30%
Average age3448
Years of experience--

Developmental technician vs direct support professional salary

Developmental technicians and direct support professionals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Developmental TechnicianDirect Support Professional
Average salary$31,175$32,077
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $18,000 And $54,000
Highest paying CitySouth Portland, MESanta Clara, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyWest Tennessee HealthcareMeta
Best paying industryEnergyGovernment

Differences between developmental technician and direct support professional education

There are a few differences between a developmental technician and a direct support professional in terms of educational background:

Developmental TechnicianDirect Support Professional
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 30%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern University-

Developmental technician vs direct support professional demographics

Here are the differences between developmental technicians' and direct support professionals' demographics:

Developmental TechnicianDirect Support Professional
Average age3448
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 8.3% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage15%7%

Differences between developmental technician and direct support professional duties and responsibilities

Developmental technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
  • Assist individuals with their ADL's yet allowing and encouraging independence.
  • Develop, plan, and run vocational and safety goals for individuals.
  • Assist with ADL's, supervise meals, activities daily, provide a safe and structure environment.
  • Provide rehabilitation opportunities through facilitation of integrate rehabilitation and recreation services.
  • Enhance the independents of individual with DD.
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Direct support professional example responsibilities.

  • Work with adults who have disabilities to help manage everyday tasks such as laundry, cooking, preparing groceries, etc.
  • Provide care to adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities while administering their medication via AMAP certification
  • Support the development of individuals with autism by promoting community involvement and performing exercises to strengthen their cognitive and social skills.
  • Assist with toileting, including urinals.
  • Maintain medical records according to all HIPPA guidelines.
  • Assist coordinator to train new DCW on assign shift.
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Developmental technician vs direct support professional skills

Common developmental technician skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 16%
  • Direct Care, 13%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Food Preparation, 9%
  • Behavioral Training, 8%
  • Mental Health, 8%
Common direct support professional skills
  • Direct Support, 19%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Direct Care, 7%
  • DSP, 7%
  • Mental Health, 6%

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