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The differences between resource paraprofessionals and special education assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education assistant has an average salary of $32,149, which is higher than the $30,427 average annual salary of a resource paraprofessional.
The top three skills for a resource paraprofessional include classroom materials, instructional materials and math. The most important skills for a special education assistant are paraprofessional, behavior management, and IEP.
| Resource Paraprofessional | Special Education Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $30,427 | $32,149 |
| Hourly rate | $14.63 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 8,852 | 62,239 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A Resource Paraprofessional helps the human resource department in performing various tasks, such as training employees, coordinating the recruitment process, assessing training needs, and monitoring training programs. They work under the supervision of a professional and don't have any authority regarding signing paperwork or taking decisions.
A special education assistant is responsible for supporting class activities in an inclusive classroom setting, assisting students with their tasks under the supervision of a special education teacher. Special education assistants create comprehensive lesson plans which adhere to the students' curriculum and special needs. They also help with developing engaging activities to promote an active learning environment while monitoring the students' personal and social behavior. A special education assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, ensuring the progress of the students by regular interaction, and managing their needs.
Resource paraprofessionals and special education assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Resource Paraprofessional | Special Education Assistant | |
| Average salary | $30,427 | $32,149 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $37,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Detroit, MI | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | South Washington County Schools | Benicia Unified School District |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Education |
There are a few differences between a resource paraprofessional and a special education assistant in terms of educational background:
| Resource Paraprofessional | Special Education Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Elementary Education | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between resource paraprofessionals' and special education assistants' demographics:
| Resource Paraprofessional | Special Education Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% | Male, 21.9% Female, 78.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |