How To Become A Direct Service Provider: What It Is and Career Path

What is a direct service provider and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a direct service provider. For example, did you know that they make an average of $13.7 an hour? That's $28,496 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 36% and produce 1,185,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreDirect Service ProviderUS Average

Salary

2.2

Avg. Salary $28,496

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate 36%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.19%

Asian 7.82%

Black or African American 8.44%

Hispanic or Latino 16.59%

Unknown 4.38%

White 61.58%

Gender

female 71.40%

male 28.60%

Age - 50

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50

Stress level

8.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

9.6

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a direct service provider

Explore direct service provider education requirements

Most common direct service provider degrees

Bachelor's

39.6 %

Associate

21.5 %

High School Diploma

18.4 %

Start to develop specific direct service provider skills

Skills	Percentages
Direct Care	29.18%
Mental Illness	19.83%
Intellectual Disabilities	18.21%
Developmental Disabilities	6.21%
Direct Services	3.89%

Gain additional direct service provider certifications

Direct service provider certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific direct service provider certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for direct service providers include Direct Support Professional- Certified (DSP-C) and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.

More About Certifications

Research direct service provider duties and responsibilities

Train and experience in adult and child first aid and CPR.
Certify medicine administer, CPR and first aid certify, CPI certify.
Assist residents in activities of daily living (ADL's) on a daily basis.
Prepare documents on the computer for annual ISP meetings with clients and their team members.

Prepare your direct service provider resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your direct service provider resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a direct service provider resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable direct service provider resume templates

Build a professional direct service provider resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your direct service provider resume.

Apply for direct service provider jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a direct service provider job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do direct service providers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Direct service provider reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Cons

The scheduling can change at anytime. There are always shortage of workers to cover shifts especially overnight shifts. You can get stuck on a shift any given day. The people you work with has more issues than the people you are hired for to take care of. They can be lazy!!!

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

The individual's are entertaining and loving. They do have their moments like any other person but when the individuals are having a good day it shows. They always look for validation from the staff when they are doing a good job. There is always something different to expect everyday. You really have to love what you do because it can be stressful but also rewarding.

Cons

The staffing is the least of my favorite. The staff can be lazy and do not can not accept change

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Cons

Nothing love it all.

What is a direct service provider and how to become one

Direct service provider career paths

Key steps to become a direct service provider

Explore direct service provider education requirements

Most common direct service provider degrees

Start to develop specific direct service provider skills

Gain additional direct service provider certifications

Research direct service provider duties and responsibilities

Prepare your direct service provider resume

Choose from 10+ customizable direct service provider resume templates

Apply for direct service provider jobs

How did you land your first direct service provider job

Average direct service provider salary

How do direct service providers rate their job?

Direct service provider reviews