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Kindergarten paraprofessional vs teacher assistant

The differences between kindergarten paraprofessionals and teacher assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a kindergarten paraprofessional has an average salary of $29,220, which is higher than the $27,103 average annual salary of a teacher assistant.

The top three skills for a kindergarten paraprofessional include math, mathematics and instructional materials. The most important skills for a teacher assistant are CPR, child care, and mathematics.

Kindergarten paraprofessional vs teacher assistant overview

Kindergarten ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Yearly salary$29,220$27,103
Hourly rate$14.05$13.03
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs13,70577,358
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Kindergarten paraprofessional vs teacher assistant salary

Kindergarten paraprofessionals and teacher assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Kindergarten ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Average salary$29,220$27,103
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $35,000Between $21,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityFlint, MICoventry, RI
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationFinance

Differences between kindergarten paraprofessional and teacher assistant education

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

Kindergarten ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityDuke University

Kindergarten paraprofessional vs teacher assistant demographics

Here are the differences between kindergarten paraprofessionals' and teacher assistants' demographics:

Kindergarten ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 9.9% Female, 90.1%Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 15.0% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between kindergarten paraprofessional and teacher assistant duties and responsibilities

Kindergarten paraprofessional example responsibilities.

  • Work with ESL and special needs students, individually and in small groups, to attain their learning objectives
  • Work with students in classroom with their math, guide reading and writing skills.
  • Work with children individually as well as in small groups (math and reading).
  • Appoint to administer individual IEP testing on special education students.
  • Provide educational support instruction, lesson plan development, implementation, recordkeeping and assessments.
  • Assist students with wheelchairs and walkers to and from class.
  • Show more

Teacher assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
  • Manage student supervision in various environments including classrooms, halls, cafeterias, schoolyards, gymnasiums, and field trip locations.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Help clients with ADL's.
  • Assist MH/MR clients with ADL's.
  • Substitute teacher grades from k-5.
  • Show more

Kindergarten paraprofessional vs teacher assistant skills

Common kindergarten paraprofessional skills
  • Math, 19%
  • Mathematics, 19%
  • Instructional Materials, 14%
  • Classroom Management, 12%
  • Behavior Management, 12%
  • Bulletin Boards, 11%
Common teacher assistant skills
  • CPR, 18%
  • Child Care, 14%
  • Mathematics, 10%
  • Art Projects, 7%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 5%

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