Direct care worker vs direct support staff

The differences between direct care workers 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 $29,343 average annual salary of a direct care worker.

The top three skills for a direct care worker include direct care, patients and CPR. The most important skills for a direct support staff are direct support, direct care, and transport clients.

Direct care worker vs direct support staff overview

	Direct Care Worker	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$29,343	$31,268
Hourly rate	$14.11	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	140,788	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

What does a direct care worker do?

A Direct Care Worker's responsibility revolves around overseeing clients' welfare and health care from different ages and conditions. Most of the duties will involve assistance in basic hygienic tasks such as bathing or going to the toilet, performing light chores such as preparing healthy meals and cleaning a bedroom, and ensuring the patient's medication intake aligns with the schedule. Furthermore, it is also the duty of a Direct Care Worker to empathize and build rapport with clients to make them feel more at ease.

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 worker vs direct support staff salary

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

	Direct Care Worker	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$29,343	$31,268
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $36,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Portland, ME	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Arizona Training & Evaluation Center	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	Professional	Professional

Differences between direct care worker and direct support staff education

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

	Direct Care Worker	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Direct care worker vs direct support staff demographics

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

	Direct Care Worker	Direct Support Staff
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 7.6% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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 worker and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Direct care worker example responsibilities.

Provide caring companionship to elderly and developmentally disable patients with or without chronic health diagnosis.
Assist individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities with ADL's.
Conduct socialization groups to aid individuals in development of ADL and socialization skills.
Prepare daily documents administer medications handle patients hygiene house cleaning and provide transportation to and from appointment
Provide caring and companionship to elderly and developmentally disable consumers and provide primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
Provide day to day services that include transport, nutrition, hygiene, housekeeping and activities to MRDD clients.

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 worker vs direct support staff skills

Common direct care worker skills

Direct Care, 22%
Patients, 11%
CPR, 7%
Developmental Disabilities, 4%
Crisis Intervention, 4%
Vital Signs, 4%

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 Worker
Direct Care Worker vs Direct Support Staff

Updated January 8, 2025

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