How To Become A Direct Support Staff: What It Is and Career Path

What is a direct support staff and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Direct support staff, popularly referred to as direct support professionals, work with people who have both physical and intellectual disabilities and provide them with assistance and professional care. You are expected to assist with their daily living needs and encourage them to live productive lives with meaningful interactions with their community. Your job would require you to develop a personalized training and care for residents in compliance with healthcare professional's instructions and other specific guidelines. While doing this, you must at the same time promote independence in your daily activities such as work, learning, and leisure. Documenting and complying with facilities policies and procedures are also key duties expected of you.

Passion for what you do, integrity, great communication skills, as well as skills in direct support, intellectual disabilities, personal care, mental health, and direct care are essential for this role. A bachelor's degree is most commonly required for this role. The average direct support staff earns $14.17 an hour and $29,469 annually.

ScoreDirect Support StaffUS Average

Salary

2.4

Avg. Salary $31,268

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.0

Growth rate 36%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.23%

Asian 7.98%

Black or African American 9.98%

Hispanic or Latino 16.55%

Unknown 4.43%

White 59.85%

Gender

female 75.29%

male 24.71%

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

7.8

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 support staff

Explore direct support staff education requirements

Most common direct support staff degrees

Bachelor's

30.1 %

High School Diploma

29.3 %

Associate

21.8 %

Start to develop specific direct support staff skills

Skills	Percentages
Direct Support	17.03%
Direct Care	11.44%
Transport Clients	10.80%
Good Judgment	8.81%
Home Maintenance	6.96%

Gain additional direct support staff certifications

Direct support staff 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 support staff certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for direct support staff include Medical Assistant and Medical G.A.S. Installer (Med).

More About Certifications

Research direct support staff duties and 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.

Prepare your direct support staff resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your direct support staff 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 support staff 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 support staff resume templates

Build a professional direct support staff 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 support staff resume.