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The differences between direct support specialists and direct support associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct support specialist has an average salary of $37,771, which is higher than the $29,934 average annual salary of a direct support associate.
The top three skills for a direct support specialist include direct support, mental health and CPR. The most important skills for a direct support associate are intellectual disabilities, emotional support, and developmental disabilities.
| Direct Support Specialist | Direct Support Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $37,771 | $29,934 |
| Hourly rate | $18.16 | $14.39 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 95,560 | 111,451 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A direct support specialist provides care and assistance to individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. They may work at nursing facilities, government institutions, or at the patients' homes. Their responsibilities usually revolve around helping patients with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, going to the toilet, and attending appointments. They may also assist patients in taking medications, handle the laundry and dishes, cook and prepare meals according to nutrition plans, and run errands as necessary. Moreover, they are also responsible for coordinating with physicians, maintaining daily records, and processing documents.
Direct Support Associates are responsible for aiding individuals with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities in their daily living activities. Their duties include administering prescribed medications, coach patients to develop money management, housekeeping, and social skills, and provide feedback to patients in areas of improvement. They are also involved in supervising skills-building activities, meal preparations, schedule organization, and produces patient progress report. Direct Support Associates also maintain a supportive relationship with the client to foster social engagement and community inclusion.
Direct support specialists and direct support associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Direct Support Specialist | Direct Support Associate | |
| Average salary | $37,771 | $29,934 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $54,000 | Between $16,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | The Carlyle Group |
| Best paying industry | Real Estate | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a direct support specialist and a direct support associate in terms of educational background:
| Direct Support Specialist | Direct Support Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between direct support specialists' and direct support associates' demographics:
| Direct Support Specialist | Direct Support Associate | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3% | Male, 26.2% Female, 73.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.7% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 8.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |