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Reading specialist vs special needs teacher

The differences between reading specialists and special needs teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a reading specialist has an average salary of $57,978, which is higher than the $47,334 average annual salary of a special needs teacher.

The top three skills for a reading specialist include language arts, student learning and assessment data. The most important skills for a special needs teacher are autism, behavioral issues, and mathematics.

Reading specialist vs special needs teacher overview

Reading SpecialistSpecial Needs Teacher
Yearly salary$57,978$47,334
Hourly rate$27.87$22.76
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs2,38674,039
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a reading specialist do?

Reach truck operators are responsible for safely using reach trucks (forklifts). They operate their reach truck to load, move, and unload new warehouse or sizeable retail store materials. Operators will need various mechanical and communication skills, as well as good visual acuity. Obtaining the proper licensure and understanding the safety protocols involved with heavy machinery is important to the job.

What does a special needs teacher do?

A Special Needs Teacher works with children and young people who need support with their learning because they find it difficult. They evaluate students skills to determine their needs, develop teaching plans, and adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.

Reading specialist vs special needs teacher salary

Reading specialists and special needs teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Reading SpecialistSpecial Needs Teacher
Average salary$57,978$47,334
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $76,000Between $34,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyCentral State UniversitySan Mateo County Office Of Education
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between reading specialist and special needs teacher education

There are a few differences between a reading specialist and a special needs teacher in terms of educational background:

Reading SpecialistSpecial Needs Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorElementary EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Reading specialist vs special needs teacher demographics

Here are the differences between reading specialists' and special needs teachers' demographics:

Reading SpecialistSpecial Needs Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 13.3% Female, 86.7%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between reading specialist and special needs teacher duties and responsibilities

Reading specialist example responsibilities.

  • Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
  • Coordinate and direct the annual drama production.
  • Provide direct services to the RTI students through the best guide reading practices.
  • Coordinate and execute all festive cultural events for families of students in grades k-12.
  • Organize school-wide educational events and activities specific to the needs of children with autism.
  • Review basics of writing essays, discussion of reading selection, and development of writing skills.
  • Show more

Special needs teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Work with preschool children with various special needs such as autism, down syndrome, ADHD, cerebral palsy, etc.
  • Tutor elementary school children with learning disabilities, mood disturbances, and ADHD in all school subjects.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects including English, mathematics, and social studies.
  • Develop individual educational plans (IEP) design to promote educational, physical and social development.
  • Train in CPI and paraprofessional.
  • Show more

Reading specialist vs special needs teacher skills

Common reading specialist skills
  • Language Arts, 6%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Assessment Data, 5%
  • K-8, 4%
  • Staff Development, 4%
  • Instructional Strategies, 4%
Common special needs teacher skills
  • Autism, 25%
  • Behavioral Issues, 18%
  • Mathematics, 6%
  • Language, 6%
  • Learning Environment, 4%
  • IEPs, 3%

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