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Educational assistant vs student assistant

The differences between educational assistants and student assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an educational assistant has an average salary of $31,100, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for an educational assistant include CPR, IEP and direct supervision. The most important skills for a student assistant are customer service, front desk, and administrative assistance.

Educational assistant vs student assistant overview

Educational AssistantStudent Assistant
Yearly salary$31,100$25,439
Hourly rate$14.95$12.23
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,97929,093
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an educational assistant do?

An educational assistant, or often called teaching assistant, assists teachers in instruction delivery and provides learning support to students. Educational assistants may perform classroom duties such as class preparations, taking attendance, and paperwork management. They help students by reviewing materials presented by teachers through one-on-one tutoring or in small groups. They may also supervise and monitor the educational activities of children, such as playing and other primary care. Educational Assistants can work in elementary, middle, and high schools while others work in preschools and childcare centers.

What does a student assistant do?

Student assistants are university students who are working part-time for a staff member or department. They are usually assigned to do administrative or clerical activities to help ease the load of their supervisor. They may manage files and information dissemination channels of the department. They may extend assistance during the registration period by helping other students fill out forms, managing the department's enrollment procedure, or doing any other activity required by their supervisor. They may also be asked to mentor younger students. Student assistants should be organized and trustworthy.

Educational assistant vs student assistant salary

Educational assistants and student assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Educational AssistantStudent Assistant
Average salary$31,100$25,439
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $47,000Between $17,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYAlbany, NY
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryNon ProfitsGovernment

Differences between educational assistant and student assistant education

There are a few differences between an educational assistant and a student assistant in terms of educational background:

Educational AssistantStudent Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Educational assistant vs student assistant demographics

Here are the differences between educational assistants' and student assistants' demographics:

Educational AssistantStudent Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 23.2% Female, 76.8%Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 19.3% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between educational assistant and student assistant duties and responsibilities

Educational assistant example responsibilities.

  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Perform basic administrative tasks like photocopying student work displays etc.
  • Support class teachers in photocopying and other tasks in order to support teaching.
  • Used CPI blocks, restraints, and escorts when necessary to ensure the safety of students and staff.
  • Serve special needs Pre-K students in a PPCD classroom, under the direction of a certify classroom teacher.
  • Provide assistance to non-English speaking students
  • Show more

Student assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Adhere to all aspects of FERPA and student confidentiality guidelines.
  • Answer phone, run errands, take messages, help office manager
  • Order, open and distribute office supplies weekly, and run errands.
  • Clean and stock supplies in restrooms, wash windows, walls and fix light fixtures.
  • Perform CPR during emergency rotation.
  • Show more

Educational assistant vs student assistant skills

Common educational assistant skills
  • CPR, 12%
  • IEP, 7%
  • Direct Supervision, 6%
  • Behavioral Issues, 6%
  • Clerical Support, 6%
  • Autism, 6%
Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%

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