Geriatric aide vs direct support staff

The differences between geriatric aides and direct support staff 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 $29,936 average annual salary of a geriatric aide.

The top three skills for a geriatric aide include ADL, patient care and vital signs. The most important skills for a direct support staff are direct support, direct care, and transport clients.

Geriatric aide vs direct support staff overview

	Geriatric Aide	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$29,936	$31,268
Hourly rate	$14.39	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	44,150	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

Geriatric aide vs direct support staff salary

Geriatric aides and direct support staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Geriatric Aide	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$29,936	$31,268
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $39,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between geriatric aide and direct support staff education

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

	Geriatric Aide	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Geriatric aide vs direct support staff demographics

Here are the differences between geriatric aides' and direct support staff' demographics:

	Geriatric Aide	Direct Support Staff
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 8.8% Female, 91.3%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 13.6% White, 47.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	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%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between geriatric aide and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Geriatric aide example responsibilities.

Sit with residents and assist with food trays.
Provide companionship on a daily basis by lending an ear or a shoulder to lean on.
Conduct individual exercise instruction as prescribed by supervising therapist, significantly resulting in improving the overall well being of many patients.
Conduct qualifying assessments for prospective GED exam candidates.

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.

Geriatric aide vs direct support staff skills

Common geriatric aide skills

ADL, 86%
Patient Care, 8%
Vital Signs, 4%
Body Mechanics, 1%
Individual Treatment Plan, 1%
Companionship, 0%

Common direct support staff skills

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