Learning disabilities teacher vs special education teacher

The differences between learning disabilities teachers and special education teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education teacher has an average salary of $54,290, which is higher than the $39,809 average annual salary of a learning disabilities teacher.

The top three skills for a learning disabilities teacher include professional development, student learning and learning disabilities. The most important skills for a special education teacher are classroom management, autism, and behavior management.

Learning disabilities teacher vs special education teacher overview

	Learning Disabilities Teacher	Special Education Teacher
Yearly salary	$39,809	$54,290
Hourly rate	$19.14	$26.10
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	73,700	67,699
Job satisfaction	-	4.33
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	-	-

What does a learning disabilities teacher do?

A Learning Disability Teacher plays a vital role in ensuring that every child with special needs can be able to learn even though they are physically and mentally struggling because of their disability. This career does a lot of intervention and production of outcomes for the individual to understand the importance of studying. They use different guides and materials like diagrams, pictures, and other graphics to improve their cognitive, psychological, and analytical thinking of an individual who has disability issues.

What does a special education teacher do?

A special education teacher is responsible for teaching students with disabilities. Special education teachers are trained professionals to provide distinct learning instructions for children with special cases for them to achieve their potentials and improve their self-confidence. A special education teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist the students with their learning areas. Special education teachers should be able to come up with engaging activities to support the students' behavioral and intellectual development.

Learning disabilities teacher vs special education teacher salary

Learning disabilities teachers and special education teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Learning Disabilities Teacher	Special Education Teacher
Average salary	$39,809	$54,290
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $54,000	Between $39,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	Newton, MA	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	Alaska	Maryland
Best paying company	Baptist Health South Florida	Baltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industry	Education	Government

Differences between learning disabilities teacher and special education teacher education

There are a few differences between a learning disabilities teacher and a special education teacher in terms of educational background:

	Learning Disabilities Teacher	Special Education Teacher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Special Education	Special Education
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Learning disabilities teacher vs special education teacher demographics

Here are the differences between learning disabilities teachers' and special education teachers' demographics:

	Learning Disabilities Teacher	Special Education Teacher
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%	Male, 24.6% Female, 75.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between learning disabilities teacher and special education teacher duties and responsibilities

Learning disabilities teacher example responsibilities.

Lead parent/teacher conferences, write report cards, attend CSE meetings.
Work with general education teachers to modify lessons in the areas of math, science, history, and language arts.
Develop ABA interventions for students and staff.
Improve children's mathematics, reading, and writing skills.
Implement IEP goals and curriculum through ABA strategies and methodologies.
Serve as the ESE liaison for a team of four teachers.

Special education teacher example responsibilities.

Lead a DIBELS intervention group.
Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
Design a unique and differentiate curriculum that addressed state standards for both mathematics and special education.
Educate special needs kids with mental and physical disabilities using proven conventional and improvise teaching/learning methods.
Plan appropriate lessons align to NYS CCSS.
Instruct and create ELA lessons through Fountas and Pinnell and Fundations.

Learning disabilities teacher vs special education teacher skills

Common learning disabilities teacher skills

Professional Development, 13%
Student Learning, 10%
Learning Disabilities, 9%
Public Schools, 8%
IEPs, 7%
Student Achievement, 6%

Common special education teacher skills

Classroom Management, 11%
Autism, 10%
Behavior Management, 6%
IEPs, 6%
Professional Development, 6%
Student Learning, 6%

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Learning Disabilities Teacher
Learning Disabilities Teacher vs Special Education Teacher

Updated January 8, 2025

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