Direct care supervisor vs direct support staff

The differences between direct care supervisors and direct support staff can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct care supervisor has an average salary of $35,451, which is higher than the $31,268 average annual salary of a direct support staff.

The top three skills for a direct care supervisor include mental health, substance abuse and CPR. The most important skills for a direct support staff are direct support, direct care, and transport clients.

Direct care supervisor vs direct support staff overview

	Direct Care Supervisor	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$35,451	$31,268
Hourly rate	$17.04	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	88,940	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

Direct care supervisor vs direct support staff salary

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

	Direct Care Supervisor	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$35,451	$31,268
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $50,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	East Orange, NJ	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Ethos Veterinary Health	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	Construction	Professional

Differences between direct care supervisor and direct support staff education

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

	Direct Care Supervisor	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Direct care supervisor vs direct support staff demographics

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

	Direct Care Supervisor	Direct Support Staff
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.1% Female, 57.9%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 7.6% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	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 supervisor and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Direct care supervisor example responsibilities.

Keep coil tubing's frac tanks full of good filter water for duration of plug drill outs.
Prepare files for file audits, as well as keeping the file up to Medicaid and DDS standards.
Plug mill out and Frac assist.
Certify in CPR and perform several XS.
Rig in a junk catcher and sand trap.
Conduct lessons and run daily activities of the program.

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 supervisor vs direct support staff skills

Common direct care supervisor skills

Mental Health, 11%
Substance Abuse, 10%
CPR, 9%
Social Work, 8%
Home Health, 7%
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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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Direct Care Supervisor
Direct Care Supervisor vs Direct Support Staff

Updated January 8, 2025

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