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Preschool assistant vs instructional assistant

The differences between preschool assistants and instructional assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an instructional assistant has an average salary of $32,170, which is higher than the $28,442 average annual salary of a preschool assistant.

The top three skills for a preschool assistant include CPR, child care and classroom management. The most important skills for an instructional assistant are CPR, math, and instructional materials.

Preschool assistant vs instructional assistant overview

Preschool AssistantInstructional Assistant
Yearly salary$28,442$32,170
Hourly rate$13.67$15.47
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs27,23350,185
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Preschool assistant vs instructional assistant salary

Preschool assistants and instructional assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Preschool AssistantInstructional Assistant
Average salary$28,442$32,170
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $35,000Between $23,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CitySan Luis Obispo, CASalem, OR
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyGreenfield Union School DistrictKern Community College District
Best paying industryFinanceEducation

Differences between preschool assistant and instructional assistant education

There are a few differences between a preschool assistant and an instructional assistant in terms of educational background:

Preschool AssistantInstructional Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorEarly Childhood EducationPsychology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Preschool assistant vs instructional assistant demographics

Here are the differences between preschool assistants' and instructional assistants' demographics:

Preschool AssistantInstructional Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 7.5% Female, 92.5%Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 8.7% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 8.2% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between preschool assistant and instructional assistant duties and responsibilities

Preschool assistant example responsibilities.

  • Receive training in CPR and first aid, and gain experienceworking with children with food allergies.
  • Assist child in accordance to his IEP.
  • Assist in preparation of and implementation of IEP plan.
  • Review daily lessons, activities and responsibilities with Pre-K teacher.
  • Help instruct and supervise a Pre-K classroom in social and developmental activities.
  • Develop activates that introduce math and literacy concepts.
  • Show more

Instructional assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist teachers in the classroom environment for Pre-K-6 students with class materials, photocopying, correcting papers, clerical duties etc.
  • Substitute for Pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Assist lead teacher in a certify Montessori program.
  • Assist students in grades from kindergarten to high school.
  • Administer tests to determine if student continues in ESOL program.
  • Provide training skills to students to administer CPR safely and accurately.
  • Show more

Preschool assistant vs instructional assistant skills

Common preschool assistant skills
  • CPR, 42%
  • Child Care, 21%
  • Classroom Management, 10%
  • Math, 7%
  • Behavioral Issues, 4%
  • Instructional Materials, 2%
Common instructional assistant skills
  • CPR, 17%
  • Math, 8%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Behavioral Issues, 7%
  • Instructional Support, 5%

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