Support staff vs direct support staff

The differences between desk clerks supervisors and direct support staff 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 $31,268 average annual salary of a direct support staff.

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

Support staff vs direct support staff overview

	Support Staff	Direct Support Staff
Yearly salary	$31,772	$31,268
Hourly rate	$15.28	$15.03
Growth rate	36%	36%
Number of jobs	161,915	182,001
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Average age	47	48
Years of experience	6	-

What does a support staff do?

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.

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.

Support staff vs direct support staff salary

Desk clerks supervisors and direct support staff have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Support Staff	Direct Support Staff
Average salary	$31,772	$31,268
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $40,000	Between $18,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Santa Maria, CA
Highest paying state	New York	California
Best paying company	Lakeland Electric	Rockwell Medical
Best paying industry	Finance	Professional

Differences between support staff and direct support staff education

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

	Support Staff	Direct Support Staff
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 30%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	-

Support staff vs direct support staff demographics

Here are the differences between desk clerks supervisors' and direct support staff' demographics:

	Support Staff	Direct Support Staff
Average age	47	48
Gender ratio	Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%	Male, 24.7% Female, 75.3%
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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 8.0% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	8%	7%

Differences between support staff and direct support staff duties and responsibilities

Support staff example responsibilities.

Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
Provide companionship to the consumer.
Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.

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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.

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Support staff vs direct support staff skills

Common support staff skills

Customer Service, 9%
Developmental Disabilities, 7%
Mental Health, 6%
Meal Preparation, 6%
Direct Care, 6%
Home Maintenance, 6%

Common direct support staff skills

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

Support Staff vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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