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The differences between direct support specialists and desk clerks supervisors 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 $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.
The top three skills for a direct support specialist include direct support, mental health and CPR. The most important skills for a support staff are customer service, developmental disabilities, and mental health.
| Direct Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Yearly salary | $37,771 | $31,772 |
| Hourly rate | $18.16 | $15.28 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 95,560 | 161,915 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 48 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.
Direct support specialists and desk clerks supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Direct Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Average salary | $37,771 | $31,772 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $54,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | Lakeland Electric |
| Best paying industry | Real Estate | Finance |
There are a few differences between a direct support specialist and a support staff in terms of educational background:
| Direct Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | - | Duke University |
Here are the differences between direct support specialists' and desk clerks supervisors' demographics:
| Direct Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Average age | 48 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.7% Female, 72.3% | Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8% |
| 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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 8% |