Direct care staffer vs direct support staff

The differences between direct care staffers and direct support staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct support staff has an average salary of $31,268, which is higher than the $30,480 average annual salary of a direct care staffer.

The top three skills for a direct care staffer include mental health, developmental disabilities and CPR. The most important skills for a direct support staff are direct support, direct care, and transport clients.

Direct care staffer vs direct support staff overview

	Direct Care Staffer	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$30,480	$31,268
Hourly rate	$14.65	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	117,658	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

What does a direct care staffer do?

A Direct Care Staffer specializes in providing personal care and supervision to the disabled or elderly. Among the responsibilities include administering medication, managing schedules, assisting in hygienic tasks, preparing meals, and doing light to moderate household chores. Furthermore, A Direct Care Staffer also helps in transportation and preparation of daily meals, running various errands, purchasing groceries and daily necessities, and as well as monitoring health conditions. It is also essential for a Daily Care Staffer to update supervisors and guardians regularly.

What does a direct support staff do?

The direct support staff is an individual who takes responsibility for the overall care of people with developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals work directly with developmental illness patients in long-term health care facilities. They perform their jobs as home health and companion care providers who assist their clients in their daily movements and actions. It is their duty to ensure the comfort and safety of their clients. Also, they encourage behaviors and attitudes which strengthen community inclusion.

Direct care staffer vs direct support staff salary

Direct care staffers and direct support staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Direct Care Staffer	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$30,480	$31,268
Salary range	Between $19,000 And $47,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Salem, OR	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	Oregon	California
Best paying company	New York University	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	Professional

Differences between direct care staffer and direct support staff education

There are a few differences between a direct care staffer and a direct support staff in terms of educational background:

	Direct Care Staffer	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 31%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Direct care staffer vs direct support staff demographics

Here are the differences between direct care staffers' and direct support staff' demographics:

	Direct Care Staffer	Direct Support Staff
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 27.5% Female, 72.5%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between direct care staffer and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Direct care staffer example responsibilities.

Provide and care for highly volatile patients, administering CPI when require.
Train and supervise individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Assist consumers in development and maintenance of adaptive daily living skills.
Maintain client and community safety through appropriate application of CPI NVCI training.
Assist residence with disabilities, by bathing them, feeding and showing compassion.
Work with Kronos (timekeeping system) and making schedules for the DSP.

Direct support staff example responsibilities.

Ensure HIPAA compliance and provide client education.
Perform first aid, CPR and seizure care when require.
Assist mentally disable adults with ADL such as bathing cooking clothing, cleaning and medication administration.
Administer medication, provide transportation, assist with ADL skills, and inspire consumers to be independent.
Provide caring and companionship to elderly and developmentally disable consumers and provide primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
Maintain a safe and supportive environment while learning proper case management and the importance of ISP's and BSP's.

Direct care staffer vs direct support staff skills

Common direct care staffer skills

Mental Health, 14%
Developmental Disabilities, 8%
CPR, 8%
Patients, 6%
Autism, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 5%

Common direct support staff skills

Direct Support, 17%
Direct Care, 11%
Transport Clients, 11%
Good Judgment, 9%
Home Maintenance, 7%
Ongoing Support, 7%

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Zippia Careers
Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Direct Care Staffer
Direct Care Staffer vs Direct Support Staff

Updated January 8, 2025

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