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The differences between para educators and middle school teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a middle school teacher has an average salary of $53,363, which is higher than the $31,394 average annual salary of a para educator.
The top three skills for a para educator include behavioral issues, student performance and IEP. The most important skills for a middle school teacher are classroom management, professional development, and math.
| Para Educator | Middle School Teacher | |
| Yearly Salary | $31,394 | $53,363 |
| Hourly rate | $15.09 | $25.66 |
| Growth Rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number Of Jobs | 56,897 | 82,230 |
| Job Satisfaction | - | - |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average Age | 44 | 42 |
| Years Of Experience | - | 2 |
Paraeducators' primary role is to provide students with extra guidance and support outside or inside the classroom. They are also called paraprofessional educators or teaching assistants who are expected to support teachers. In small group activities, they take the lead permitting teachers to help their students in many ways. The necessary skills required include organization, intellectual curiosity, and being calm. They should also be creative, a team player, and knowledgeable. A bachelor's degree in education is also a necessity for this job.
A middle school teacher is responsible for teaching students in grades six to eight, following a curriculum that fits on their grade levels to prepare them for the next advancement. Middle school teachers strategize effective lesson plans, engaging activities, and assessments to test the students' knowledge and understanding of the learning materials. They also observe the personal and developmental behaviors of the students by conducting group activities and performance. A middle school teacher identifies the students' strengths and weaknesses, adjusting the learning approach as needed to cater to each student's needs and difficulties.
Para educators and middle school teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Para Educator | Middle School Teacher | |
| Average Salary | $31,394 | $53,363 |
| Salary Range | Between $24,000 And $39,000 | Between $39,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest Paying City | Belmont, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest Paying State | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best Paying Company | Central Valley School District | Baltimore City Public Schools |
| Best Paying Industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a para educator and a middle school teacher in terms of educational background:
| Para Educator | Middle School Teacher | |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most Common Major | Psychology | Elementary Education |
| Most Common College | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between para educators' and middle school teachers' demographics:
| Para Educator | Middle School Teacher | |
| Average Age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender Ratio | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| Race Ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 9% |