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Instructional paraprofessional vs student assistant

The differences between instructional paraprofessionals and student assistants 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 $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for an instructional paraprofessional include mathematics, instructional materials and IEP. The most important skills for a student assistant are customer service, front desk, and administrative assistance.

Instructional paraprofessional vs student assistant overview

Instructional ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Yearly salary$31,835$25,439
Hourly rate$15.31$12.23
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs49,76629,093
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Instructional paraprofessional vs student assistant salary

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

Instructional ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Average salary$31,835$25,439
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $17,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYAlbany, NY
Highest paying stateWashingtonRhode Island
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryHealth CareGovernment

Differences between instructional paraprofessional and student assistant education

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

Instructional ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Instructional paraprofessional vs student assistant demographics

Here are the differences between instructional paraprofessionals' and student assistants' demographics:

Instructional ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 20.8% Female, 79.2%Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2%
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, 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 instructional paraprofessional and student assistant 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.
  • 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

Instructional paraprofessional vs student assistant skills

Common instructional paraprofessional skills
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • IEP, 7%
  • English Language, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Educational Materials, 5%
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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