Home > Salary > South Africa > Direct Support Professional
A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is an essential occupation that involves providing assistance and support to individuals with disabilities or special needs. DSPs work in a variety of settings, including residential homes, group homes, day programs, and community centers. Their primary role is to help individuals develop and maintain independence by assisting with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, medication administration, and transportation. DSPs also provide emotional support, companionship, and engage individuals in recreational and social activities. They may also assist with behavior management, skill development, and implementation of individualized care plans. This occupation requires strong communication, empathy, patience, and the ability to adapt to different situations.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 67,098 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,592 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,290 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,251 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07
Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,354 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 280 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 65 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 67,098 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,592 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,290 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
By working as Direct Support Professional a person can save up to 8 USD per month or 100 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Direct Support Professional
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Direct Support Professional salary in South Africa
Average Yearly Salary of Direct Support Professional in South Africa is approximately 67,098 ZAR (3,354 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Direct Support Professional do?
A Direct Support Professional (DSP) is an essential occupation that involves providing assistance and support to individuals with disabilities or special needs. DSPs work in a variety of settings, including residential homes, group homes, day programs, and community centers. Their primary role is to help individuals develop and maintain independence by assisting with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, medication administration, and transportation. DSPs also provide emotional support, companionship, and engage individuals in recreational and social activities. They may also assist with behavior management, skill development, and implementation of individualized care plans. This occupation requires strong communication, empathy, patience, and the ability to adapt to different situations.
Skills: Direct Support Professional, Disability Support, Special Needs Care, Personal Care Assistant, Developmental Disabilities, Community Support
Job industry: Healthcare
Job industry: Healthcare
How much does Direct Support Professional make?
Salary details
How much does Direct Support Professional make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 67,098 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,592 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,290 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 65,040 ZAREstimated Monthly Salary: 5,420 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,251 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 31 ZAR per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-07Direct Support Professional estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 3,354 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 280 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 65 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 2 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
3 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
South Africa is a diverse and vibrant country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It has a population of approximately 59 million people and covers an area of around 1.2 million square kilometers. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Direct Support Professional job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Direct Support Professional in South Africa earns on average:
0.53 times the average salary (or 53% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 126,956 ZAR (6,780 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Direct Support Professional job salary compared to average salary in South Africa.
Comparison shows that a person working as Direct Support Professional in South Africa earns on average:
0.53 times the average salary (or 53% of average salary).
Is Direct Support Professional a well paid job?
No, our data shows that Direct Support Professional is typically not a well-paid job. The salary varies based on experience. Meaning that even though Direct Support Professional might be a low paying job, with experience the salary might increase to satisfactory levels.What is considered a high salary for Direct Support Professional?
High salary for Direct Support Professional would be somewhere between 73,808 ZAR and 97,292 ZAR. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Direct Support Professional in South Africa?
Living in South Africa the approximate monthly expenses are: 271 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 67,098 ZAR
Estimated Monthly Salary: 5,592 ZAR
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,290 ZAR per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 32 ZAR per hour
By working as Direct Support Professional a person can save up to 8 USD per month or 100 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in South Africa, see costs of living in South Africa.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Direct Support Professional
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in South Africa
(1,412,867 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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(1,102,268 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(1,100,784 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,077,960 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,792 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
(1,073,439 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
9. Oncologist
(1,071,922 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
10. Urologist
(1,071,632 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Senior account director (262,805 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Navy seaman aviation (87,596 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Office administrator ii (91,640 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Project manager recruiting (214,551 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
Dental technician (74,041 ZAR per year, pre-tax.)
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