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The differences between classroom aides and para educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a para educator has an average salary of $31,394, which is higher than the $28,832 average annual salary of a classroom aide.
The top three skills for a classroom aide include autism, CPR and classroom environment. The most important skills for a para educator are behavioral issues, student performance, and IEP.
| Classroom Aide | Para Educator | |
| Yearly salary | $28,832 | $31,394 |
| Hourly rate | $13.86 | $15.09 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 71,960 | 56,897 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
Paraeducators' primary role is to provide students with extra guidance and support outside or inside the classroom. They are also called paraprofessional educators or teaching assistants who are expected to support teachers. In small group activities, they take the lead permitting teachers to help their students in many ways. The necessary skills required include organization, intellectual curiosity, and being calm. They should also be creative, a team player, and knowledgeable. A bachelor's degree in education is also a necessity for this job.
Classroom aides and para educators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Classroom Aide | Para Educator | |
| Average salary | $28,832 | $31,394 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $35,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Danvers, MA | Belmont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Mt. Hood Community College | Central Valley School District |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a classroom aide and a para educator in terms of educational background:
| Classroom Aide | Para Educator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Duke University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between classroom aides' and para educators' demographics:
| Classroom Aide | Para Educator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 5.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |