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The differences between classroom assistants and assistant principals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant principal has an average salary of $73,607, which is higher than the $27,801 average annual salary of a classroom assistant.
The top three skills for a classroom assistant include CPR, mathematics and photocopying. The most important skills for an assistant principal are classroom management, curriculum development, and professional development.
| Classroom Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Yearly salary | $27,801 | $73,607 |
| Hourly rate | $13.37 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 5% |
| Number of jobs | 49,273 | 42,186 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
An assistant principal is responsible for carrying out administrative support tasks in a school or similar establishment. Most of the duties involve producing reports and evaluations, attending meetings, overseeing daily school operations, monitoring classes and faculty performances, implementing school policies and regulations, and coordinating with the principal, school board, and other members of the institution. Furthermore, an assistant principal participates in devising plans and strategies to improve the school curriculum and organize various activities that will help students develop their skills and potential.
Classroom assistants and assistant principals have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Classroom Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Average salary | $27,801 | $73,607 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $34,000 | Between $57,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | Belmont, MA | Redwood City, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Oregon |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Pace University |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Government |
There are a few differences between a classroom assistant and an assistant principal in terms of educational background:
| Classroom Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Educational Leadership |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between classroom assistants' and assistant principals' demographics:
| Classroom Assistant | Assistant Principal | |
| Average age | 44 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.3% Female, 80.7% | Male, 47.4% Female, 52.6% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 4.2% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 16% |