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Direct Support Professional Jobs in Riverside, CA

Momentum

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$17.75 - $18.25/hr

Employer-Sponsored Life Insurance Direct Support Professional (DSP) Responsibilities: * Assist clients with personal care tasks, including bathing, grooming, and dressing * Help clients with ...

ablelight

DSP- DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL

Mission Viejo, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

Direct Support Professional Work as a DSP with a Non-Profit that cares! Provide Support, Build Relationships, Make a Difference! At AbleLight, people are the heart of everything we do. Our mission ...

ablelight

DSP - Direct Support Professional

Mission Viejo, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

Mission Viejo, CA Direct Support Professionals, DSP's, Caregivers are all terms that can be used synonymously. These are the talented individuals that we are always keeping an eye out for, who take ...

ablelight

DSP / Direct Support Professional

Mission Viejo, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

Mission Viejo, CA Direct Support Professionals, DSP's, Caregivers are all terms that can be used synonymously. These are the talented individuals that we are always keeping an eye out for, who take ...

ablelight

DSP / Direct Support Professional

Mission Viejo, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $19.75/hr

Mission Viejo, CA Direct Support Professionals, DSP's, Caregivers are all terms that can be used synonymously. These are the talented individuals that we are always keeping an eye out for, who take ...

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All JobsDirect Support Professional JobsDirect Support Professional Jobs in Riverside, CA

Direct Support Professional information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$10

$16

$21

How much do direct support professional jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct support professional in Riverside, CA is $16.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.05 and $18.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are caregivers who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their daily lives. They help with personal care, medication management, meal preparation, and transportation, while also supporting clients in achieving personal goals and participating in community activities. DSPs play a vital role in promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life for those they support.

What are some common challenges Direct Support Professionals face when supporting individuals with disabilities, and how can they effectively handle them?

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) often encounter challenges such as managing behavioral outbursts, ensuring effective communication with nonverbal individuals, and balancing the need for independence with safety. Handling these situations requires patience, empathy, and strong problem-solving skills. Many DSPs find it helpful to use individualized behavior support plans, maintain clear communication with team members, and participate in ongoing training. Building trust and understanding the unique needs of each individual also play a key role in overcoming daily challenges.

How much do DSP workers make?

Direct Support Professionals typically earn between $15 and $20 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the employer. In some cases, wages may be higher with specialized skills or in certain regions, and many DSPs work part-time or full-time schedules with benefits varying by employer.

What is the difference between Direct Support Professional vs Personal Care Assistant?

AspectDirect Support ProfessionalPersonal Care Assistant
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, sometimes specialized trainingCPR, First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentAssisting individuals with disabilities in community or residential settingsProviding personal care in private homes or facilities
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providersHome care agencies, private clients

Both roles involve assisting individuals with daily activities, often requiring similar certifications like CPR and First Aid. However, Direct Support Professionals typically work in community or residential settings supporting people with disabilities, while Personal Care Assistants mainly provide personal care services in private homes. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the role that best matches their skills and career goals.

What is the work of a Direct Support Professional?

A Direct Support Professional provides assistance to individuals with disabilities or special needs, helping them with daily activities such as personal care, household tasks, and community integration. They often work in clients' homes or care facilities, requiring good communication skills and sometimes certification in CPR or first aid.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Direct Support Professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Direct Support Professional, you need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic caregiving knowledge, and an understanding of developmental disabilities. Familiarity with documentation systems, incident reporting tools, and sometimes CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Patience, strong interpersonal skills, and empathy are crucial soft skills for effectively supporting individuals and building trust. These skills are vital for ensuring client safety, promoting independence, and delivering compassionate care tailored to each individual's needs.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

A Direct Support Professional typically earns less than $10,000 a month; however, high-paying roles in sales, real estate, or entrepreneurship can reach that level without a degree. These jobs often require strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation, and sometimes licensing or certifications, but they do not necessarily require a college degree.

What Is a Direct Support Professional?

Direct support professionals (DSPs) provide non-medical care and services to intellectually or physically disabled persons. These services may be in the patient's home, at assisted living facilities, or in government institutions. The primary duties of DSPs are to help the patient with everyday tasks, such as taking medication, providing transportation to doctor's appointments, and running errands. DSPs also aim to teach patients life skills, including light housework and meal preparation, to enable them to be a little more independent.

What is an example of a Direct Support Professional?

A Direct Support Professional is a trained caregiver who provides assistance to individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions, helping them with daily activities such as personal care, medication management, and community integration. They often work in settings like homes, group homes, or community centers and may require certifications like CPR or first aid.
More about Direct Support Professional jobs
What are popular job titles related to Direct Support Professional jobs in Riverside, CA? For Direct Support Professional jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Direct Support Professional jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Direct Support Professional jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Direct Support Professional jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Direct Support Professional job openings:
Direct Support Professional jobs near you
Infographic showing various Direct Support Professional job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,337 per year, or $17 per hour.

Direct Support Professional

ACES MANAGEMENT

Hemet, CA

$21 - $24/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:

A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is under the direct supervision and guidance of the Residential Home Administrator or current Lead Staff of their designated facility. A Direct Support Professional (DSP) works directly with 4-6 adult individuals who live in a residential facility, all whom have Intellectual, Developmental, Physical, and Behavioral complications. Assist with activities of daily living that include Personal Care, Dressing, Bathing assistance and Meal Preparation as needed. The DSP's primary duty is to follow each individual's service plan and provide active treatments accordingly.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Monitoring the health and safety of all individual's.
  • Provide direct care and support to individuals with disabilities or special needs.
  • Implement all directives from both the Residential Administrator and/or Lead Staff.
  • Implement the individual's objectives and behavioral plans specified in the Individual Service Plan and Individual Program Plan as written by the ID team per Regional Center.
  • Assist individuals with their personal care needs as necessary to maintain appropriate hygiene.
  • Assist in keeping accurate data on each individuals progress.
  • Supervise the individual on all their tasks, training and community activities.
  • Assist individuals on all household chores, yard maintenance and keeping the home neat and clean always.
  • Performs daily cleaning and vacuuming of the home.
  • Complies with various zone duties and responsibilities assignments.
  • Appropriately follow company protocol to administer medications to individuals.
  • Properly document each self-dispensing administration in the Medication Administration Record.
  • Responsive to emergency needs; reports and assist in the time of emergency.
  • Thoroughly familiar with all emergency plans and procedures.
  • Attends all monthly residential as scheduled by the facility's manager.
  • Assists with individuals' assignments and projects.
  • Encourages individual choice.
  • Participate in community participation activities of the facility in which the DSP works in.
  • Reports all possible cases of abuse, neglect or endangerment to appropriate supervisor; complies with all mandated reporter legal requirements.
  • Assumes continuing responsibility for maintaining an attractive, interesting area in which to work with clients; shares in performance of routine housekeeping, monitoring and clerical tasks.
  • Maintains a professional code of ethics; and Performs related work as required.
  • Other duties assigned.

#CALI1 #cali1
 

Qualifications:

  • Valid CA Driver's License (REQUIRED)
  • Must have at least 6 months of experience working with individuals with behavioral components (REQUIRED)
  • Experience working with behavioral complications and challenges (REQUIRED)
  • DSP 1 Certificate (Preferred)
  • DSP 2 Certificate (Preferred)
  • CPR/First Aid (Preferred)
  • CPI (Preferred)

#CALI1 #cali1

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