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Instructional paraprofessional vs para educator

The differences between instructional paraprofessionals and para educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an instructional paraprofessional has an average salary of $31,835, which is higher than the $31,394 average annual salary of a para educator.

The top three skills for an instructional paraprofessional include mathematics, instructional materials and IEP. The most important skills for a para educator are behavioral issues, student performance, and IEP.

Instructional paraprofessional vs para educator overview

Instructional ParaprofessionalPara Educator
Yearly salary$31,835$31,394
Hourly rate$15.31$15.09
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,76656,897
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Instructional paraprofessional vs para educator salary

Instructional paraprofessionals and para educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Instructional ParaprofessionalPara Educator
Average salary$31,835$31,394
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBelmont, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsCentral Valley School District
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between instructional paraprofessional and para educator education

There are a few differences between an instructional paraprofessional and a para educator in terms of educational background:

Instructional ParaprofessionalPara Educator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Instructional paraprofessional vs para educator demographics

Here are the differences between instructional paraprofessionals' and para educators' demographics:

Instructional ParaprofessionalPara Educator
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 20.8% Female, 79.2%Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between instructional paraprofessional and para educator duties and responsibilities

Instructional paraprofessional example responsibilities.

  • Help ESL students achieve their academic goals while they learn a new language and adapt to a new community and culture.
  • Assist students with their educational needs in language arts, mathematics, social students and science.
  • Carry out behavior intervention techniques and ABA.
  • Provide administration and care of ABA and discrete trial training.
  • Verify the appropriate process and procedures that are necessary to fulfill IEP objectives.
  • Create a sensory chair to encourage a pre-k scholar to remain seat during the day.
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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.
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Instructional paraprofessional vs para educator skills

Common instructional paraprofessional skills
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • IEP, 7%
  • English Language, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Educational Materials, 5%
Common para educator skills
  • Behavioral Issues, 10%
  • Student Performance, 8%
  • IEP, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Kindergarten, 7%
  • School Administration, 6%

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