Direct support staff vs direct care provider

The differences between direct support staff and direct care providers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a direct support staff has an average salary of $31,268, which is higher than the $29,470 average annual salary of a direct care provider.

The top three skills for a direct support staff include direct support, direct care and transport clients. The most important skills for a direct care provider are CPR, developmental disabilities, and mental health.

Direct support staff vs direct care provider overview

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Provider
Yearly salary	$31,268	$29,470
Hourly rate	$15.03	$14.17
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	182,001	117,168
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

What does a direct support staff do?

The direct support staff is an individual who takes responsibility for the overall care of people with developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals work directly with developmental illness patients in long-term health care facilities. They perform their jobs as home health and companion care providers who assist their clients in their daily movements and actions. It is their duty to ensure the comfort and safety of their clients. Also, they encourage behaviors and attitudes which strengthen community inclusion.

What does a direct care provider do?

A Direct Care Worker specializes in providing care and assistance to patients, typically to the elderly. Their responsibilities include preparing and feeding meals, administering medication and other treatments, and monitoring their conditions, updating the physician or the patients' families regularly. They must also assist patients in various hygienic tasks such as bathing, dressing, brushing teeth, or going to the toilet. There are instances when Direct Care Workers must perform various household tasks such as laundry, washing the dishes, shopping for groceries, and running errands as needed.

Direct support staff vs direct care provider salary

Direct support staff and direct care providers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Provider
Average salary	$31,268	$29,470
Salary range	Between $18,000 And $53,000	Between $20,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	Santa Maria, CA	Olympia, WA
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Rockwell Medical	Washington State University
Best paying industry	Professional	Health Care

Differences between direct support staff and direct care provider education

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

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Provider
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Direct support staff vs direct care provider demographics

Here are the differences between direct support staff' and direct care providers' demographics:

	Direct Support Staff	Direct Care Provider
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 7.8% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between direct support staff and direct care provider duties and responsibilities

Direct support staff example 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.
Provide caring and companionship to elderly and developmentally disable consumers and provide primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
Maintain a safe and supportive environment while learning proper case management and the importance of ISP's and BSP's.

Direct care provider example responsibilities.

Require certification in MANDT and CPR.
Coach and train clients to improve their daily living (ADL), social interaction and job skills.
Provide instruction and assist the consumers with active daily living (ADL) skills such as cooking, bathing, dressing.
Provide caring and companionship to elderly and developmentally disable consumers and provide primary resident care and assistance with daily living activities.
Facilitate exercise, vocational, arts-n-crafts, and daily living skills groups for consumers with DD.

Direct support staff vs direct care provider skills

Common direct support staff skills

Direct Support, 17%
Direct Care, 11%
Transport Clients, 11%
Good Judgment, 9%
Home Maintenance, 7%
Ongoing Support, 7%

Common direct care provider skills

CPR, 24%
Developmental Disabilities, 23%
Mental Health, 5%
Direct Care, 4%
Intellectual Disabilities, 4%
Home Health, 4%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Direct Support Staff
Direct Support Staff vs Direct Care Provider

Updated January 8, 2025

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