Classroom volunteer vs para educator

The differences between classroom volunteers 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 $29,639 average annual salary of a classroom volunteer.

The top three skills for a classroom volunteer include math, mathematics and kindergarten. The most important skills for a para educator are behavioral issues, student performance, and IEP.

Classroom volunteer vs para educator overview

	Classroom Volunteer	Para Educator
Yearly salary	$29,639	$31,394
Hourly rate	$14.25	$15.09
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	4,378	56,897
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	-

Classroom volunteer vs para educator salary

Classroom volunteers and para educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Classroom Volunteer	Para Educator
Average salary	$29,639	$31,394
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $38,000	Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	Belmont, CA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Central Valley School District
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between classroom volunteer and para educator education

There are a few differences between a classroom volunteer and a para educator in terms of educational background:

	Classroom Volunteer	Para Educator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	Northwestern University

Classroom volunteer vs para educator demographics

Here are the differences between classroom volunteers' and para educators' demographics:

	Classroom Volunteer	Para Educator
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 13.8% Female, 86.3%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 8.5% White, 58.8% 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%

Differences between classroom volunteer and para educator duties and responsibilities

Classroom volunteer example responsibilities.

Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
Work with kindergarten children on reading abilities and basic mathematics
Work in the pre-K classroom.
Volunteer for an after school ESL program in a local public elementary school.
Work with an ESL teacher to tutor small groups of students of a variety of ages in the English language
Apply knowledge from developmental psychology coursework to promote maturation of mathematics and writing skills by tutoring students one-on-one.

Para educator example responsibilities.

Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
Work daily with a small group of 4th grade students in language arts in the morning and mathematics in the afternoon.
Plan and implement lesson and in a k-5 school.
Assist teacher in every aspect of curriculum, CPR certify.
Certify in CPR, first aide, used when necessary.
Certify through CPI to be able to physically restrain when necessary.

Classroom volunteer vs para educator skills

Common classroom volunteer skills

Math, 23%
Mathematics, 18%
Kindergarten, 17%
Language Arts, 8%
Classroom Management, 7%
Grade Class, 3%

Common para educator skills

Behavioral Issues, 10%
Student Performance, 8%
IEP, 8%
Math, 7%
Kindergarten, 7%
School Administration, 6%

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Classroom Volunteer
Classroom Volunteer vs Para Educator

Updated January 8, 2025

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