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Resource paraprofessional vs teacher assistant

The differences between resource paraprofessionals and teacher 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 $27,103 average annual salary of a teacher assistant.

The top three skills for a resource paraprofessional include classroom materials, instructional materials and math. The most important skills for a teacher assistant are CPR, child care, and mathematics.

Resource paraprofessional vs teacher assistant overview

Resource ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Yearly salary$30,427$27,103
Hourly rate$14.63$13.03
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs8,85277,358
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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 teacher assistant do?

Teacher assistants are responsible for aiding teachers in their needs inside the classroom. They help teachers prepare for lessons in class, set up equipment, distribute educational materials to students, and monitor the progress of the students. Teacher assistants also help in managing the children in the classroom, as well as providing the necessary assistance a child may need. This may include helping with the lessons by going table to table, assisting in writing exercises, and tutoring kids one-to-one. Teacher assistants are required to have patience, flexibility, and classroom management skills.

Resource paraprofessional vs teacher assistant salary

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

Resource ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Average salary$30,427$27,103
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $37,000Between $21,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityDetroit, MICoventry, RI
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companySouth Washington County SchoolsUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between resource paraprofessional and teacher assistant education

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

Resource ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorElementary EducationPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityDuke University

Resource paraprofessional vs teacher assistant demographics

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

Resource ParaprofessionalTeacher Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 14.7% Female, 85.3%Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between resource paraprofessional and teacher 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

Teacher assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
  • Manage student supervision in various environments including classrooms, halls, cafeterias, schoolyards, gymnasiums, and field trip locations.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Help clients with ADL's.
  • Assist MH/MR clients with ADL's.
  • Substitute teacher grades from k-5.
  • Show more

Resource paraprofessional vs teacher assistant skills

Common resource paraprofessional skills
  • Classroom Materials, 33%
  • Instructional Materials, 27%
  • Math, 18%
  • IEP, 15%
  • ASD, 3%
  • Autism, 3%
Common teacher assistant skills
  • CPR, 18%
  • Child Care, 14%
  • Mathematics, 10%
  • Art Projects, 7%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 5%

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