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The average annual salary for a para professional is $28,118, translating to about $14 per hour. Salaries can differ based on factors such as state, years of experience, and the specific educational setting. For instance, urban areas often offer higher pay compared to rural settings.
To maximize earnings, aspiring para professionals should consider states like California and New York, which consistently report higher average salaries. Additionally, specific cities stand out, offering competitive compensation packages.
Experience plays a significant role in salary determination. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years in the field can command higher wages. Understanding these dynamics can help you navigate your career path effectively.
Overall, pursuing a career as a para professional can be fulfilling, particularly in supportive educational environments. Staying informed about salary trends and geographic opportunities can enhance your job prospects and financial outcomes.
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The average para professional salary in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average para professional salary states are Louisiana, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $37,042 | $17.81 |
| 2 | Delaware | $32,517 | $15.63 |
| 3 | Vermont | $32,350 | $15.55 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $33,015 | $15.87 |
| 5 | Maine | $31,346 | $15.07 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $30,893 | $14.85 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $37,035 | $17.81 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $28,945 | $13.92 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $30,687 | $14.75 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $31,437 | $15.11 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $27,298 | $13.12 |
| 12 | California | $32,888 | $15.81 |
| 13 | Arizona | $26,369 | $12.68 |
| 14 | Montana | $27,005 | $12.98 |
| 15 | New York | $34,188 | $16.44 |
| 16 | Colorado | $27,692 | $13.31 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $28,182 | $13.55 |
| 18 | Illinois | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $31,524 | $15.16 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $26,743 | $12.86 |
| 21 | Mississippi | $26,882 | $12.92 |
| 22 | Nevada | $25,042 | $12.04 |
| 23 | Washington | $29,186 | $14.03 |
| 24 | Alaska | $28,108 | $13.51 |
| 25 | Oregon | $28,598 | $13.75 |
| 26 | Indiana | $25,198 | $12.11 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $24,717 | $11.88 |
| 28 | District of Columbia | $31,176 | $14.99 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $24,931 | $11.99 |
| 30 | Iowa | $24,396 | $11.73 |
| 31 | Michigan | $24,063 | $11.57 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $25,522 | $12.27 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $22,321 | $10.73 |
| 34 | Idaho | $23,821 | $11.45 |
| 35 | Maryland | $23,990 | $11.53 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $23,244 | $11.18 |
| 37 | Missouri | $24,507 | $11.78 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $23,167 | $11.14 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $22,947 | $11.03 |
| 40 | Ohio | $22,927 | $11.02 |
| 41 | Texas | $23,600 | $11.35 |
| 42 | Alabama | $23,173 | $11.14 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $21,875 | $10.52 |
| 44 | Utah | $22,904 | $11.01 |
| 45 | Virginia | $23,663 | $11.38 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $22,776 | $10.95 |
| 47 | Georgia | $23,151 | $11.13 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $22,485 | $10.81 |
| 49 | Kansas | $21,297 | $10.24 |
| 50 | Florida | $20,775 | $9.99 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $21,348 | $10.26 |
The highest-paying cities for para professionals are Glen Cove, NY, Walnut Creek, CA, and Union, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glen Cove, NY | $34,414 | $16.55 |
| 2 | Walnut Creek, CA | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| 3 | Union, NJ | $31,642 | $15.21 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $31,208 | $15.00 |
| 5 | Vancouver, WA | $29,467 | $14.17 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $27,694 | $13.31 |
| 7 | Chanhassen, MN | $27,082 | $13.02 |
| 8 | Glendale, AZ | $26,395 | $12.69 |
| 9 | Garner, NC | $25,671 | $12.34 |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $24,822 | $11.93 |
| 11 | Royal Oak, MI | $24,263 | $11.66 |
| 12 | Cleveland, OH | $24,104 | $11.59 |
| 13 | Germantown, MD | $23,778 | $11.43 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $23,726 | $11.41 |
| 15 | Douglasville, GA | $23,235 | $11.17 |
| 16 | Pocatello, ID | $23,156 | $11.13 |
| 17 | Sarasota, FL | $20,844 | $10.02 |
A para professional's salary ranges from $20,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| Average | $28,118 | $2,343 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $20,000 | $1,667 | $10 |
The highest paying types of para professionals are teacher internship, teacher associate, and instructional assistant.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Internship | $31,256 | $2,605 | $15.03 | 55,578 |
| Substitute Teachers Aide | $27,488 | $2,291 | $13.22 | 77,249 |
| Special Education Aide | $31,638 | $2,636 | $15.21 | 95,429 |
| Classroom Aide | $28,832 | $2,403 | $13.86 | 71,960 |
| Teacher Aide | $29,480 | $2,457 | $14.17 | 106,207 |
| Instructional Aide | $30,993 | $2,583 | $14.90 | 60,846 |
Top companies hiring para professionals now:
Para professional salaries at Schneider Electric Industrial Services and AECOM are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average para professional salary at companies like Halliburton and Amazon are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schneider Electric Industrial Services | $40,770 | $19.60 |
| 2 | AECOM | $37,368 | $17.97 |
| 3 | Halliburton | $35,298 | $16.97 |
| 4 | Amazon | $32,867 | $15.80 |
| 5 | Friendship Public Charter School | $31,966 | $15.37 |
| 6 | Bosch USA | $31,857 | $15.32 |
| 7 | Kelly Services | $29,839 | $14.35 |
| 8 | Aerotek | $28,974 | $13.93 |
| 9 | East Grand School District | $28,334 | $13.62 |
| 10 | Youth Villages | $28,177 | $13.55 |
| 11 | The Earth Technology Corporation (USA) | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| 12 | Colorado State Express | $27,680 | $13.31 |
| 13 | Dillon | $27,513 | $13.23 |
| 14 | DCP Holdings Inc | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| 15 | Skyline Education, Inc | $27,019 | $12.99 |
| 16 | Armstrong, Backus & Co. | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| 17 | BAYADA Home Health Care | $24,716 | $11.88 |
| 18 | Proviso Township Schools | $23,771 | $11.43 |
| 19 | Orange County High School | $23,685 | $11.39 |
| 20 | Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 | $23,395 | $11.25 |
The average para professional salary has risen by $5,162 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average para professional earned $22,956 annually, but today, they earn $28,118 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for para professionals over the last decade.
Compare para professional salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare para professional salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,100 | $13.52 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $27,200 | $13.06 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $26,300 | $12.62 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $25,600 | $12.29 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $24,700 | $11.89 | +2.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence Public Schools | Para-Inst-Reg | Lawrence, MA | 06/25/2025 | $48,585 |
| Carbon County School District | Building (Office) Para Professional | Rawlins, WY | 06/19/2025 | $38,401 |
| Amergis | Para Professional | Concord, NH | 06/19/2025 | $37,879 |
| Carbon County School District One | Building (Office) Para Professional | Wyoming | 06/18/2025 | $38,401 |
| Kokomo School Corporation | Inst. Para., Intensive Needs | Kokomo, IN | 06/15/2025 | $29,218 |
| Goodwin University Educational Services | Para | East Hartford, CT | 06/11/2025 | $48,001 |
| St. Cloud Area School District 742 | Ecse Para | Nore, MN | 06/01/2025 | $38,610 |
| Indiana Public Schools | C4 Para Professional | Columbus, IN | 05/28/2025 | $36,126 |
| Olathe Public Schools | Para II Vision | Olathe, KS | 05/28/2025 | $33,914 |
| Pueblo School for Arts and Sciences | ESS Para | Pueblo, CO | 05/25/2025 | $28,080 |
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