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Para educator salary
Average para educator salary
$15.09
Understanding Para Educator Salaries
The salary for para educators can differ significantly based on various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution. As of October 2025, para educators earn an average salary of $31,394 annually. In some states, salaries can exceed this average, especially in urban areas where the cost of living is higher.
Average Salaries by State
For example, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to increased demand and living costs. While the average hourly wage is around $15, this can rise to $20 or more in metropolitan areas. Additionally, para educators with specialized skills or certifications may command higher pay.
Career Opportunities
Para educators can find employment in various settings, including public schools, private institutions, and special education programs. As educational needs evolve, so do the opportunities for para educators. By understanding regional salary variations and job prospects, candidates can better position themselves for successful careers in education.
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Where can a Para Educator earn more?
Para educator salary estimates from across the web
Average para educator salary by state
The highest-paying states for para educators are Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. The lowest average para educator salary states are Louisiana, Wyoming, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for para educators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $33,945 | $16.32 |
| 2 | Delaware | $33,746 | $16.22 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $35,645 | $17.14 |
| 4 | Illinois | $33,197 | $15.96 |
| 5 | Vermont | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $30,954 | $14.88 |
| 7 | Alaska | $31,853 | $15.31 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| 9 | Oklahoma | $31,073 | $14.94 |
| 10 | Nevada | $29,517 | $14.19 |
| 11 | New York | $33,263 | $15.99 |
| 12 | Oregon | $33,211 | $15.97 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $29,850 | $14.35 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $31,549 | $15.17 |
| 15 | Maine | $30,334 | $14.58 |
| 16 | Washington | $31,853 | $15.31 |
| 17 | California | $33,788 | $16.24 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $30,392 | $14.61 |
| 19 | Arizona | $28,682 | $13.79 |
| 20 | Mississippi | $29,951 | $14.40 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $29,466 | $14.17 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $29,646 | $14.25 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $32,952 | $15.84 |
| 25 | Ohio | $28,551 | $13.73 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $28,060 | $13.49 |
| 27 | Idaho | $27,275 | $13.11 |
| 28 | Virginia | $29,822 | $14.34 |
| 29 | Iowa | $27,915 | $13.42 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $27,873 | $13.40 |
| 31 | Maryland | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| 32 | Missouri | $28,208 | $13.56 |
| 33 | Montana | $26,964 | $12.96 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $26,933 | $12.95 |
| 35 | Texas | $27,049 | $13.00 |
| 36 | Indiana | $26,617 | $12.80 |
| 37 | South Dakota | $27,007 | $12.98 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $27,647 | $13.29 |
| 39 | Utah | $27,821 | $13.38 |
| 40 | Colorado | $26,823 | $12.90 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $26,278 | $12.63 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $25,005 | $12.02 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,787 | $12.40 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $25,594 | $12.30 |
| 45 | Alabama | $25,847 | $12.43 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $25,161 | $12.10 |
| 47 | Kansas | $23,839 | $11.46 |
| 48 | Kentucky | $25,521 | $12.27 |
| 49 | Florida | $22,421 | $10.78 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $23,819 | $11.45 |
| 51 | Georgia | $24,202 | $11.64 |
Highest paying cities for para educators
The highest-paying cities for para educators are Belmont, CA, Albany, NY, and Quincy, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belmont, CA | $34,726 | $16.70 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $33,647 | $16.18 |
| 3 | Quincy, IL | $32,302 | $15.53 |
| 4 | Marysville, WA | $31,829 | $15.30 |
| 5 | Nashua, NH | $29,883 | $14.37 |
| 6 | Reading, PA | $29,529 | $14.20 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $28,519 | $13.71 |
| 9 | Bristol, CT | $28,159 | $13.54 |
| 10 | Council Bluffs, IA | $27,689 | $13.31 |
| 11 | Beloit, WI | $27,353 | $13.15 |
| 12 | Helena, MT | $27,002 | $12.98 |
| 13 | Anderson, IN | $26,631 | $12.80 |
| 14 | Apopka, FL | $22,539 | $10.84 |
Para educator salary details
A para educator's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a para educator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,394 | $2,616 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying para educator jobs
The highest paying types of para educators are special educator, middle school teacher, and high school teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Term Substitute Teacher | $42,808 | $3,567 | $20.58 | 69,133 |
| High School Teacher | $52,441 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 83,554 |
| Toddler Teacher | $30,703 | $2,559 | $14.76 | 67,810 |
| Infant Teacher | $29,076 | $2,423 | $13.98 | 63,079 |
| School Aide | $29,896 | $2,491 | $14.37 | 69,231 |
| Floater Teacher | $28,813 | $2,401 | $13.85 | 78,131 |
Which companies pay para educators the most?
Para educator salaries at Central Valley School District and Fremont Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average para educator salary at companies like Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company and Piedmont Unified School District are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Valley School District | $39,010 | $18.75 |
| 2 | Fremont Public Schools | $36,997 | $17.79 |
| 3 | Careerstaff Unlimited - A Genesis Healthcare Company | $35,089 | $16.87 |
| 4 | Piedmont Unified School District | $34,313 | $16.50 |
| 5 | Tamalpais Union High School District | $34,039 | $16.36 |
| 6 | Plumas Charter School | $33,716 | $16.21 |
| 7 | Walla Walla Public Schools | $33,420 | $16.07 |
| 8 | Maxim Healthcare Group | $33,168 | $15.95 |
| 9 | San Diego Unified School District | $33,073 | $15.90 |
| 10 | Griswold Public Schools | $32,951 | $15.84 |
| 11 | Maryland School for the Blind | $32,527 | $15.64 |
| 12 | Bristol Public School District | $32,463 | $15.61 |
| 13 | Albany Unified School District | $32,225 | $15.49 |
| 14 | Travis Unified School District | $31,862 | $15.32 |
| 15 | Tracy Unified School District | $31,796 | $15.29 |
| 16 | Buena Vista University | $31,762 | $15.27 |
| 17 | SunnyvaleSD | $31,218 | $15.01 |
| 18 | Grandville Public Schools | $31,068 | $14.94 |
| 19 | Independent Living Resources | $30,991 | $14.90 |
| 20 | Arrowhead Youth and Family Services | $30,978 | $14.89 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Para educator salary trends
The average para educator salary has risen by $5,763 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average para educator earned $25,631 annually, but today, they earn $31,394 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for para educators over the last decade.
Compare para educator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average para educator salary over time
Compare para educator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Para educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,400 | $15.09 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $30,300 | $14.58 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $29,300 | $14.09 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $28,500 | $13.72 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $27,600 | $13.28 | +2.0% |
Recently added para educator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park County School District 1 | Para-Educator/Office Clerk | Powell, WY | 06/28/2025 | $34,957 |
| Easthampton Public Schools | Paraeducators (2) Life Skills Program-Easthampton High School | Westhampton, MA | 06/27/2025 | $44,557 |
| Panama-Buena Vista Union School District | Para-Educator III School Year) | Bakersfield, CA | 06/27/2025 | $41,573 |
| Blue Valley School District | Instructional Support Para Educator Hours A DAY)-Blue River Elementary School | Overland Park, KS | 06/27/2025 | $31,201 |
| Oakland Schools | Para Educator Substitute | Highland, MI | 06/27/2025 | $29,740 |
| Mead School District | Substitute Para Educator | Mead, WA | 06/27/2025 | $37,044 |
| Mead Wa | Substitute Para Educator | Ione, WA | 06/27/2025 | $37,044 |
| Huron School District | Para-Educator-Library Aide SY | Conde, SD | 06/26/2025 | $45,559 |
| Bellevue School District | Special Education Para Educator-26-Somerset Elementary | Bellevue, WA | 06/26/2025 | $68,579 |
| Zen Educate | Para Educator-Support Role | Goodyear, AZ | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
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