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Classroom aide vs classroom assistant

The differences between classroom aides and classroom assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a classroom aide has an average salary of $28,832, which is higher than the $27,801 average annual salary of a classroom assistant.

The top three skills for a classroom aide include autism, CPR and classroom environment. The most important skills for a classroom assistant are CPR, mathematics, and photocopying.

Classroom aide vs classroom assistant overview

Classroom AideClassroom Assistant
Yearly salary$28,832$27,801
Hourly rate$13.86$13.37
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs71,96049,273
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a classroom aide do?

Classroom aides or teacher's aides are found in special education centers and schools. Some of their many roles include supervising field trips, attendance checking, and preparing classroom materials. They help the teachers by assisting students who need extra attention to keep up with the lessons. Being very patient and proficient in ASL are skills that all of them need to have, especially when working with students in the special education spectrum. They should be very critical to detail to accurately track the progress of the student under their supervision and discuss them with the teachers and parents.

What does a classroom assistant do?

A classroom assistant is responsible for monitoring the class activities and the students' learning progress under the command of a head instructor. Classroom assistants help the teachers in conducting engaging learning activities, creating comprehensive lesson plans, and gathering educational materials to support the students' needs. They take the initiative on observing the class when the teacher is away, leaving them activities to work on as the teacher instructed. A classroom assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, as they also serve as a liaison between the students and the teacher for inquiries and concerns.

Classroom aide vs classroom assistant salary

Classroom aides and classroom assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Classroom AideClassroom Assistant
Average salary$28,832$27,801
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $35,000Between $22,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityDanvers, MABelmont, MA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandMassachusetts
Best paying companyMt. Hood Community CollegeUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationTechnology

Differences between classroom aide and classroom assistant education

There are a few differences between a classroom aide and a classroom assistant in terms of educational background:

Classroom AideClassroom Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Classroom aide vs classroom assistant demographics

Here are the differences between classroom aides' and classroom assistants' demographics:

Classroom AideClassroom Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 16.1% Female, 83.9%Male, 19.3% Female, 80.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 8.8% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between classroom aide and classroom assistant duties and responsibilities

Classroom aide example responsibilities.

  • Run daily ABA programs with students to reach specific goals and milestones.
  • Provide ABA discrete trial teaching to all classroom children under the direction of certify classroom teacher.
  • Assist autistic and learning-disable students in scholastic aspects including assignments, mathematics, specials, and classroom activities.
  • Provide one-on-one individualize support for students with specific IEP's.
  • Differentiate literacy and mathematics instruction, scaffold and reinforce skills in creative, structure activities
  • Help implement developmentally appropriate educational activities aim toward identify objectives and goals create for the student base on IEP.
  • Show more

Classroom assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
  • Work at PTA and PTO events in various capacities.
  • Support the educational growth of elementary school students by working with small groups in math, language arts, and science.
  • Provide support to kindergarten classroom teacher through individual reading intervention and math assistance
  • Direct group activities within learning centers emphasizing spatial recognition, understanding patterns of colors and numbers for kindergarten class.
  • Work with ESE, VPK, and Pre-K, students.
  • Show more

Classroom aide vs classroom assistant skills

Common classroom aide skills
  • Autism, 15%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Classroom Environment, 10%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Classroom Management, 6%
Common classroom assistant skills
  • CPR, 25%
  • Mathematics, 20%
  • Photocopying, 17%
  • IEP, 12%
  • Homework Assignments, 8%
  • Child Care, 3%

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