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What is a paraprofessional aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a paraprofessional aide. For example, did you know that they make an average of $14.37 an hour? That's $29,897 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 55,400 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreParaprofessional AideUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,897

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.5

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.12%

Asian 7.53%

Black or African American 9.73%

Hispanic or Latino 20.45%

Unknown 4.33%

White 56.84%

Gender

female 83.78%

male 16.22%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
3.7

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Paraprofessional aide career paths

Key steps to become a paraprofessional aide

  1. Explore paraprofessional aide education requirements

    Most common paraprofessional aide degrees

    Bachelor's

    46.0 %

    Associate

    27.0 %

    High School Diploma

    14.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific paraprofessional aide skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Instructional Materials26.03%
    Public Schools18.44%
    Behavioral Issues13.02%
    Creole10.04%
    Mathematics2.64%
  3. Research paraprofessional aide duties and responsibilities

    • Manage behavior and teach mathematics in charter school specializing in educating children with autism and other learning and developmental disorders
    • Gain experience using lifts and orthopedic devices such as walkers, Rifton chairs, wheelchairs, and standers.
    • Work with individual students or small groups to reinforce learning materials or skills introduce and outline by certify instructor and/or IEP.
    • Work closely with the classroom teacher to ensure that individualize programs are being follow and progress towards IEP goals is met.
  4. Prepare your paraprofessional aide resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your paraprofessional aide resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a paraprofessional aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable paraprofessional aide resume templates

    Build a professional paraprofessional aide resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your paraprofessional aide resume.
    Paraprofessional Aide Resume
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    Paraprofessional Aide Resume
  5. Apply for paraprofessional aide jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a paraprofessional aide job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first paraprofessional aide job

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Average paraprofessional aide salary

The average paraprofessional aide salary in the United States is $29,897 per year or $14 per hour. Paraprofessional aide salaries range between $24,000 and $36,000 per year.

Average paraprofessional aide salary
$29,897 Yearly
$14.37 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do paraprofessional aides rate their job?

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Paraprofessional aide reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2024
Pros

Helping students with various intellectual or behavior disabilities to be successful in the classroom and in life.

Cons

As a paraprofessional, you often get left out of Professional Development activities, vertical team meetings, etc. and have a limited capacity to influence educational decisions within the organization.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Cons

nothing I like everything

Pros

I enjoy working as a teacher aide because of the children I love doing it


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Being able to make an impact on kids with a disability and being there friend.

Cons

Just the time I invest with all the work I did for the school district. I was a volunteer wrestling coach and a para for Jenks high school in Tulsa Oklahoma. I enjoyed my experience but realize safety and health was want to go into.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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