Primary care provider vs direct service provider

The differences between primary care providers and direct service providers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a primary care provider has an average salary of $35,422, which is higher than the $28,496 average annual salary of a direct service provider.

The top three skills for a primary care provider include patients, internal medicine and family practice. The most important skills for a direct service provider are direct care, mental illness, and intellectual disabilities.

Primary care provider vs direct service provider overview

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Service Provider
Yearly salary	$35,422	$28,496
Hourly rate	$17.03	$13.70
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	103,863	49,939
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	-	-

Primary care provider vs direct service provider salary

Primary care providers and direct service providers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Service Provider
Average salary	$35,422	$28,496
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $58,000	Between $21,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	Juneau, AK
Highest paying state	Connecticut	Alaska
Best paying company	AstraZeneca	North Carolina A&T State University
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between primary care provider and direct service provider education

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

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Service Provider
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 42%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Nursing	Psychology
Most common college	-	-

Primary care provider vs direct service provider demographics

Here are the differences between primary care providers' and direct service providers' demographics:

	Primary Care Provider	Direct Service Provider
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2%	Male, 28.6% Female, 71.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 9.7% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.8% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between primary care provider and direct service provider duties and responsibilities

Primary care provider example responsibilities.

Manage provider network to include verifying claims and benefits for healthcare providers/members and insurance companies.
Work alongside ABA therapists to continue to apply appropriate behavioral techniques.
Examine patients and carefully analyze test results and information gather during examinations to properly diagnose illnesses and diseases.
Used strong oral and written communications skills to develop and maintain effective relationships with patients, co-workers and international medical professionals.
Provide caring companionship to developmentally disabled/elderly residents.
Assist with toileting, including bedpans, urinals and commode chairs.

Direct service provider example responsibilities.

Train and experience in adult and child first aid and CPR.
Certify medicine administer, CPR and first aid certify, CPI certify.
Assist residents in activities of daily living (ADL's) on a daily basis.
Prepare documents on the computer for annual ISP meetings with clients and their team members.
Pass medications, attend ISP meetings, help with personal hygiene, work on state goals.
Job duties include job coaching, skill training, ADL management, and implementing behavior management plans.

Primary care provider vs direct service provider skills

Common primary care provider skills

Patients, 31%
Internal Medicine, 13%
Family Practice, 12%
Patient Care, 11%
Urgent Care, 10%
NP, 4%

Common direct service provider skills

Direct Care, 29%
Mental Illness, 20%
Intellectual Disabilities, 18%
Developmental Disabilities, 6%
Direct Services, 4%
CPR, 4%

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Personal Care and Attendants Industry
Primary Care Provider
Primary Care Provider vs Direct Service Provider

Updated January 8, 2025

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