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Resource paraprofessional vs student assistant

The differences between resource paraprofessionals and student assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a resource paraprofessional has an average salary of $30,427, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for a resource paraprofessional include classroom materials, instructional materials and math. The most important skills for a student assistant are customer service, front desk, and administrative assistance.

Resource paraprofessional vs student assistant overview

Resource ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Yearly salary$30,427$25,439
Hourly rate$14.63$12.23
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs8,85229,093
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a resource paraprofessional do?

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.

What does a student assistant do?

Student assistants are university students who are working part-time for a staff member or department. They are usually assigned to do administrative or clerical activities to help ease the load of their supervisor. They may manage files and information dissemination channels of the department. They may extend assistance during the registration period by helping other students fill out forms, managing the department's enrollment procedure, or doing any other activity required by their supervisor. They may also be asked to mentor younger students. Student assistants should be organized and trustworthy.

Resource paraprofessional vs student assistant salary

Resource paraprofessionals and student assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Resource ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Average salary$30,427$25,439
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $37,000Between $17,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityDetroit, MIAlbany, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companySouth Washington County SchoolsNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between resource paraprofessional and student assistant education

There are a few differences between a resource paraprofessional and a student assistant in terms of educational background:

Resource ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorElementary EducationBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Resource paraprofessional vs student assistant demographics

Here are the differences between resource paraprofessionals' and student assistants' demographics:

Resource ParaprofessionalStudent Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 14.7% Female, 85.3%Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between resource paraprofessional and student assistant duties and responsibilities

Resource paraprofessional example responsibilities.

  • Work with ESL and special needs students, individually and in small groups, to attain their learning objectives
  • Contribute to IEP meetings to help identify appropriate student goals.
  • Create maps and presentation materials utilizing GIS, CanVis and Powerpoint.
  • Maintain a record or record data regarding students and IEP goal progress.
  • Enhance reading and math skills by administering assessments and planning instruction according to given data.
  • Work one-on-one with special education students providing additional support in math, reading, writing, social studies, and science.
  • Show more

Student assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Adhere to all aspects of FERPA and student confidentiality guidelines.
  • Answer phone, run errands, take messages, help office manager
  • Order, open and distribute office supplies weekly, and run errands.
  • Clean and stock supplies in restrooms, wash windows, walls and fix light fixtures.
  • Perform CPR during emergency rotation.
  • Show more

Resource paraprofessional vs student assistant skills

Common resource paraprofessional skills
  • Classroom Materials, 33%
  • Instructional Materials, 27%
  • Math, 18%
  • IEP, 15%
  • ASD, 3%
  • Autism, 3%
Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%

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