Direct support professional vs direct service provider

The differences between direct support professionals and direct service providers 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 $28,496 average annual salary of a direct service provider.

The top three skills for a direct support professional include direct support, developmental disabilities and autism. The most important skills for a direct service provider are direct care, mental illness, and intellectual disabilities.

Direct support professional vs direct service provider overview

	Direct Support Professional	Direct Service Provider
Yearly salary	$32,077	$28,496
Hourly rate	$15.42	$13.70
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	142,034	49,939
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

Direct support professional vs direct service provider salary

Direct support professionals and direct service providers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Direct Support Professional	Direct Service Provider
Average salary	$32,077	$28,496
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $54,000	Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Santa Clara, CA	Juneau, AK
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Meta	North Carolina A&T State University
Best paying industry	Government	Professional

Differences between direct support professional and direct service provider education

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

	Direct Support Professional	Direct Service Provider
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Direct support professional vs direct service provider demographics

Here are the differences between direct support professionals' and direct service providers' demographics:

	Direct Support Professional	Direct Service Provider
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 24.4% Female, 75.6%	Male, 28.6% Female, 71.4%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between direct support professional and direct service provider duties and responsibilities

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.

Direct service provider example 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.
Pass medications, attend ISP meetings, help with personal hygiene, work on state goals.
Job duties include job coaching, skill training, ADL management, and implementing behavior management plans.

Direct support professional vs direct service provider skills

Common direct support professional skills

Direct Support, 19%
Developmental Disabilities, 12%
Autism, 9%
Direct Care, 7%
DSP, 7%
Mental Health, 6%

Common direct service provider skills

Direct Care, 29%
Mental Illness, 20%
Intellectual Disabilities, 18%
Developmental Disabilities, 6%
Direct Services, 4%
CPR, 4%

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Zippia Careers
Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Direct Support Professional
Direct Support Professional vs Direct Service Provider

Updated January 8, 2025

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