Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Special education paraeducator salary
Average special education paraeducator salary
$15.43
Average Special Education Paraeducator Salary
The average salary for a Special Education Paraeducator in the United States is approximately $32,092 per year, or around $15 per hour. This figure can vary based on several factors including geographical location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution. States like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for qualified professionals.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a significant role in salary potential. Entry-level positions may start at lower pay, while those with several years in the field can see substantial increases. Additionally, paraeducators working in specialized settings or with particular student needs often receive higher compensation.
Job Opportunities for Paraeducators
Job prospects for Special Education Paraeducators are continually expanding, with many opportunities available in public and private schools. As awareness of inclusive education grows, the demand for paraeducators who can work alongside teachers to support students with special needs is expected to rise. For those considering this career path, understanding salary trends can help in making informed decisions about job opportunities and locations.
Let Zippia find your next special education paraeducator job
Let Zippia find your next special education paraeducator job
Where can a Special Education Paraeducator earn more?
Special education paraeducator salary estimates from across the web
Average special education paraeducator salary by state
The average special education paraeducator salary in Alaska, Oregon, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special education paraeducator salary states are Arkansas, North Carolina, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special education paraeducators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $41,549 | $19.98 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $35,063 | $16.86 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $37,113 | $17.84 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $35,654 | $17.14 |
| 5 | Oregon | $38,716 | $18.61 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $40,673 | $19.55 |
| 7 | Vermont | $32,666 | $15.70 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $36,064 | $17.34 |
| 9 | Illinois | $33,221 | $15.97 |
| 10 | Washington | $36,216 | $17.41 |
| 11 | New York | $35,525 | $17.08 |
| 12 | Delaware | $32,584 | $15.67 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $37,169 | $17.87 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $33,438 | $16.08 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $29,941 | $14.39 |
| 16 | Nevada | $30,168 | $14.50 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $34,449 | $16.56 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $30,953 | $14.88 |
| 19 | California | $37,135 | $17.85 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $28,842 | $13.87 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $32,014 | $15.39 |
| 22 | Colorado | $31,939 | $15.36 |
| 23 | Kansas | $30,516 | $14.67 |
| 24 | Michigan | $28,944 | $13.92 |
| 25 | Ohio | $28,594 | $13.75 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $34,744 | $16.70 |
| 27 | Maryland | $31,078 | $14.94 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $28,196 | $13.56 |
| 29 | Georgia | $31,061 | $14.93 |
| 30 | Maine | $28,284 | $13.60 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $28,507 | $13.71 |
| 32 | Iowa | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $28,299 | $13.61 |
| 34 | Florida | $28,839 | $13.86 |
| 35 | Arizona | $26,200 | $12.60 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $27,965 | $13.44 |
| 37 | Idaho | $26,928 | $12.95 |
| 38 | Alabama | $28,257 | $13.59 |
| 39 | Virginia | $29,169 | $14.02 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $26,683 | $12.83 |
| 41 | South Dakota | $26,139 | $12.57 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $25,056 | $12.05 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $25,654 | $12.33 |
| 44 | Missouri | $25,738 | $12.37 |
| 45 | Utah | $25,982 | $12.49 |
| 46 | Texas | $27,413 | $13.18 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $26,644 | $12.81 |
| 48 | Montana | $23,207 | $11.16 |
| 49 | Indiana | $24,728 | $11.89 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $24,987 | $12.01 |
| 51 | North Carolina | $25,348 | $12.19 |
Highest paying cities for special education paraeducators
The highest-paying cities for special education paraeducators are Novato, CA, Vancouver, WA, and Shoreview, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novato, CA | $37,837 | $18.19 |
| 2 | Vancouver, WA | $36,822 | $17.70 |
| 3 | Shoreview, MN | $36,116 | $17.36 |
| 4 | Newtown, CT | $35,683 | $17.16 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $32,080 | $15.42 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $31,947 | $15.36 |
| 7 | Salina, KS | $30,515 | $14.67 |
| 8 | Council Bluffs, IA | $28,522 | $13.71 |
| 9 | Kingman, AZ | $26,501 | $12.74 |
Special education paraeducator salary details
A special education paraeducator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special education paraeducator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,092 | $2,674 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying special education paraeducator jobs
The highest paying types of special education paraeducators are director of special education, special education coordinator, and reading specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Support Teacher | $33,914 | $2,826 | $16.30 | 120,054 |
| Learning Disabilities Teacher | $39,809 | $3,317 | $19.14 | 73,700 |
| Instructional Aide | $30,993 | $2,583 | $14.90 | 60,846 |
| Special ED Teacher | $49,456 | $4,121 | $23.78 | 71,990 |
| Special Needs Teacher | $47,334 | $3,945 | $22.76 | 74,039 |
| Early Childhood Special Educator | $36,798 | $3,067 | $17.69 | 62,487 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for special education paraeducators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Top companies hiring special education paraeducators now:
Which companies pay special education paraeducators the most?
Special education paraeducator salaries at San Mateo County Office Of Education and Louisiana State Police are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special education paraeducator salary at companies like Oxnard School District and Goleta Union School District are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Mateo County Office Of Education | $42,445 | $20.41 |
| 2 | Louisiana State Police | $42,079 | $20.23 |
| 3 | Oxnard School District | $37,172 | $17.87 |
| 4 | Goleta Union School District | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 5 | Santa Barbara County Education Office | $36,256 | $17.43 |
| 6 | Anne Arundel County Public Schools | $36,172 | $17.39 |
| 7 | Community Youth Services | $36,155 | $17.38 |
| 8 | Texas Christian University | $35,761 | $17.19 |
| 9 | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | $35,233 | $16.94 |
| 10 | Santa Cruz High School | $34,850 | $16.75 |
| 11 | Simi Valley Unified School District | $34,685 | $16.68 |
| 12 | Westminster School District | $34,638 | $16.65 |
| 13 | Grandville Public Schools | $34,555 | $16.61 |
| 14 | Santa Clara County Office of Education | $34,529 | $16.60 |
| 15 | Bristol Public School District | $34,254 | $16.47 |
| 16 | Excellence Community Schools | $33,721 | $16.21 |
| 17 | Boulder Valley School District | $33,633 | $16.17 |
| 18 | Patterson Joint Unified School District | $33,594 | $16.15 |
| 19 | San Diego Unified School District | $33,593 | $16.15 |
| 20 | Environmental Charter Schools | $33,452 | $16.08 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special education paraeducator salary trends
The average special education paraeducator salary has risen by $3,575 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special education paraeducator earned $28,517 annually, but today, they earn $32,092 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for special education paraeducators over the last decade.
Compare special education paraeducator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special education paraeducator salary over time
Compare special education paraeducator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special education paraeducator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $32,100 | $15.43 | +0.3% |
| 2025 | $32,000 | $15.39 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $31,400 | $15.12 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $31,000 | $14.91 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $30,200 | $14.52 | +2.2% |
Recently added special education paraeducator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montgomery County Public Schools | Repost: Fy26-Paraeducator Senior Special Education Itinerant, Learning Center, Sequoyah ES | Derwood, MD | 06/29/2025 | $53,010 |
| Snoqualmie Valley School District | Paraeducator II | Snoqualmie, WA | 06/29/2025 | $51,257 |
| Teach Iowa | Special ED. General Paraeducator | Bode, IA | 06/28/2025 | $32,891 |
| Park County School District 1 | Special Education Paraeducator | Powell, WY | 06/28/2025 | $34,749 |
| Albert Lea Area Schools | Adsis Paraeducator | Albert Lea, MN | 06/28/2025 | $33,642 |
| Lakes Country Application Consortium | Special Education Paraeducator | Nore, MN | 06/28/2025 | $37,691 |
| Longview School District | Paraeducator-Extensive | Longview, WA | 06/27/2025 | $45,622 |
| Branford Public Schools | Special Education Paraeducator | Branford, CT | 06/27/2025 | $40,425 |
| Seven Hills Foundation | Paraeducator | Greenfield, NH | 06/27/2025 | $41,740 |
| Champlain Valley School District | Intensive Paraeducator-Sped K | Williston, VT | 06/27/2025 | $50,338 |
Special education paraeducator salary FAQs
Search for special education paraeducator jobs