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Salary and Benefits

Direct Support Professional
$31K-$38K / yr. (est.)
$32K
$35,401 / year
$39K
Average base salary
The salary information provided is based on data collected from various reliable sources and may vary depending on individual qualifications and other factors.

About Direct Support Professional

What does a Direct Support Professional do?

As Direct Support Professionals, we are specialists in handling affairs of people living with physical and mental disabilities within our organizations. Our main aim is to ensure that people having various disability cases are well supported to realize their potential and become integrated into the community. On daily basis, we support people with disabilities in their homes and public places. We act as advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and express their needs and challenges to the general society. We also facilitate the training of community workers to build their capacity for the prevention of social stigma regarding the disabled.

Core tasks:

  • handling needs of physical and intellectual disabilities
  • advocating for the rights of disabled people
  • fighting social stigma
  • training social workers in advocating for the needs of the disabled

Insights

How Many Years of Experience Do Professionals Need Before Becoming Direct Support Professional?
On average, people work 3-5 years in other positions prior to becoming a Direct Support Professional.
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Direct Support ProfessionalPhiladelphia, PA - A year ago
i disagree, not everyone needs that much time to transition into this role, some people may have relevant experience already 😤
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Direct Support ProfessionalPhoenix, AZ - A year ago
are you sure about this? i think this statistic could be misleading. What about people who started their career in service-focused roles? 🤔
How Long Do Direct Support Professional Employees Typically Stay in Their Roles?
On average, Direct Support Professionals works in this position for 3-5 years across multiple employers.
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IT SpecialistHouston, TX - A year ago
💥 The average tenure of 3-5 years might suggest some stability issues within the profession. Perhaps it's time to address the underlying factors affecting turnover and ensure better retention.
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Warehouse WorkerAtlanta, GA - A year ago
I'm tired of people underestimating Direct Support Professionals! They deserve respect, decent wages, and recognition for the vital work they do day in and day out!
What Is the Job Hopper Score for Direct Support Professional Employees?
Moderate job changes in Direct Support Professional, showing some career movement without excessive turnover.
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Pharmacy TechnicianMiami, FL - A year ago
😡 Direct Support Professional role has no real future, it's a dead-end job. Look for something better and make a move!
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Engineering ManagerSan Francisco, CA - A year ago
Diversifying your skill set will open doors to higher-level positions within the field of Direct Support Professional. Focus on continuous learning! 👨

Career path

Path to job

Discover a Direct Support Professional's areas of knowledge sorted by their majors.
Explore the list of higher education institutions that a Direct Support Professional typically studied at.
Indiana University-Bloomington
Minnesota State University-Mankato

Path after job

Community

Demographics

What Is the Age and Gender Ratio of Direct Support Professional Employees?
Gender ratio in Direct Support Professional position: 0.410662980430422 Male and 0.589337019569578 Female. Age ratio in Direct Support Professional position: 16-20: 30%, 21-30: 58%, 31-40: 7%, 41-50: 3%, 51-60: 2%, 60+: 0%. Direct Support Professional position is predominantly female (58.9%) with the largest age group being 21-30 years old, followed by 16-20 years old.
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Direct Support ProfessionalSeattle, WA - A year ago
how can we encourage more men to consider this role? 👨
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Direct Support ProfessionalDenver, CO - A year ago
we should focus on promoting diversity and inclusivity in all professions! 💪

Workplaces

Who Are the Top Employers for Direct Support Professional?
Top employers of Direct Support Professional position: Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Mosaic. People who work in Direct Support Professional position most typically go on to work for the Bethesda Lutheran Communities.
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Direct Support ProfessionalNew York City, NY - A year ago
Bethesda Lutheran Communities might be the top employer, but their pay and benefits are subpar compared to other companies in the industry.
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Direct Support ProfessionalMiami, FL - A year ago
I've heard that Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has a high turnover rate for DSPs. Does anyone know why?
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
Mosaic
What Industries Does Direct Support Professional Typically Have Experience In?
Industry Background: The most typical industries of Direct Support Professional: Health Care, Religious / Grantmaking / Civic, Education, Professional / Scientific / Technical, Administrative & Support. Direct Support Professional employees most likely come from a Health Care industry background.
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Direct Support ProfessionalMiami, FL - A year ago
I used to be a Direct Support Professional, but I found it too emotionally draining. Kudos to those who can handle it, but it's just not for everyone. 💔
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Direct Support ProfessionalNew York City, NY - A year ago
Hey y'all! I love the diverse range of responsibilities and the constant variety that comes with being a Direct Support Professional. Who wants to share their favorite part of the job? 😄

Find your job as Direct Support Professional

Discussion about Direct Support Professional

Want to know more about Direct Support Professional position?
Share your thoughts and ideas about Direct Support Professional position with others in our community.
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How balanced is the gender diversity among people working as a Direct Support Professional?
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Benjamin Gardner3 years ago
60% are women in this profession.
What is the typical age of people who work as a Direct Support Professional?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
25 is the average age of people working as a Direct Support Professional.
How much experience is typically required to work as a Direct Support Professional?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
On average, people have 4 years of experience when they start working as a Direct Support Professional
Which industries have a lot of people working in Direct Support Professional roles?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
Health Care employs the most.
Is a higher education needed as a Direct Support Professional?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
Most people have No higher education
Which company are you working for as a Direct Support Professional?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
It’s common for a Direct Support Professional to work for Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Mosaic, ResCare and The MENTOR Network
How many years of experience as a Direct Support Professional is needed in average to switch to another position?
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Sophie Hayes3 years ago
On average people change after 4 years.
Is it common for people to switch companies and still work as a Direct Support Professional?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
A typical Direct Support Professional might work for one or two companies.
What work history do people usually have before becoming a Direct Support Professional?
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Liam Brown3 years ago
Typical prior positions for a Direct Support Professional are Customer Service Representative, Sales Associate or Cashier
What are the typical next steps for someone working as a Direct Support Professional?
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Isabella Holmes3 years ago
Working as Direct Support Professional consider Customer Service Representative, Certified Nursing Assistant or Case Manager as a next step in your career.
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Disclaimer

informationLENSA generates certain information provided on this website by compiling and analyzing publicly available data and data from employees/former employees. All company names are the registered trademarks of their original owners. The use of any trade name or trademark does not imply any association with the third-party company. None of the information provided is endorsed in any way by any of the companies mentioned. We do not guarantee the accuracy, currency, or suitability of this information (including regarding demographics or salary estimate) and you are responsible for how you use it. ALL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS”. We are not responsible for nor endorse third party content on our website. If you notice any inaccurate information or information you think is proprietary you can email us at [email protected]. See our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more information.