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Classroom assistant vs teacher

The differences between classroom assistants and teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a teacher has an average salary of $47,989, 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 a teacher are ESL, handle scheduling, and kids.

Classroom assistant vs teacher overview

Classroom AssistantTeacher
Yearly salary$27,801$47,989
Hourly rate$13.37$23.07
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,27371,918
Job satisfaction-4.14
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4442
Years of experience--

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.

What does a teacher do?

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

Classroom assistant vs teacher salary

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

Classroom AssistantTeacher
Average salary$27,801$47,989
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $34,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityBelmont, MABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMaryland
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyKing Low Heywood Thomas
Best paying industryTechnologyEducation

Differences between classroom assistant and teacher education

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

Classroom AssistantTeacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorPsychologyElementary Education
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Classroom assistant vs teacher demographics

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

Classroom AssistantTeacher
Average age4442
Gender ratioMale, 19.3% Female, 80.7%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage6%9%

Differences between classroom assistant and teacher duties and responsibilities

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

Teacher example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with co-teacher to manage and co-teach curriculum to a large group.
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop social studies and geography curriculum.
  • Provide kindergarten readiness in approaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and introductory math skills.
  • Attend and participate in ESL professional development activities, conferences/workshops, curriculum/program planning, & special events and activities.
  • Show more

Classroom assistant vs teacher skills

Common classroom assistant skills
  • CPR, 25%
  • Mathematics, 20%
  • Photocopying, 17%
  • IEP, 12%
  • Homework Assignments, 8%
  • Child Care, 3%
Common teacher skills
  • ESL, 17%
  • Handle Scheduling, 15%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%

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