Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between desk clerks supervisors and direct support associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a support staff has an average salary of $31,772, which is higher than the $29,934 average annual salary of a direct support associate.
The top three skills for a support staff include customer service, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a direct support associate are intellectual disabilities, emotional support, and developmental disabilities.
| Support Staff | Direct Support Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,772 | $29,934 |
| Hourly rate | $15.28 | $14.39 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 161,915 | 111,451 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
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 Associates are responsible for aiding individuals with developmental, mental, or physical disabilities in their daily living activities. Their duties include administering prescribed medications, coach patients to develop money management, housekeeping, and social skills, and provide feedback to patients in areas of improvement. They are also involved in supervising skills-building activities, meal preparations, schedule organization, and produces patient progress report. Direct Support Associates also maintain a supportive relationship with the client to foster social engagement and community inclusion.
Desk clerks supervisors and direct support associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Support Staff | Direct Support Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,772 | $29,934 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $16,000 And $52,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Lakeland Electric | The Carlyle Group |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a support staff and a direct support associate in terms of educational background:
| Support Staff | Direct Support Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Duke University | - |
Here are the differences between desk clerks supervisors' and direct support associates' demographics:
| Support Staff | Direct Support Associate | |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8% | Male, 26.2% Female, 73.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 8.8% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 7% |