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Special education teaching assistant salary
Average special education teaching assistant salary
$15.89
Understanding Special Education Teaching Assistant Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Special Education Teaching Assistant is approximately $33,060 per year or $16 per hour. Salaries vary based on several factors, including geographic location and years of experience. For example, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living.
In addition to state variations, specific cities may provide enhanced earning potential. For instance, metropolitan areas often pay more than rural settings. Understanding these dynamics can help job seekers identify the best opportunities.
Salary Trends Over Time
The salary for this role has seen gradual increases, reflecting the growing importance of special education. As more schools prioritize inclusive education, the demand for skilled teaching assistants continues to rise, making it a stable career choice.
- Factors Influencing Salary:
- Location
- Years of experience
- Educational qualifications
Consider these elements when evaluating job offers in this field.
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Where can a Special Education Teaching Assistant earn more?
Average special education teaching assistant salary by state
The highest-paying states for special education teaching assistants are Hawaii, New York, and Washington. The lowest average special education teaching assistant salary states are Iowa, Tennessee, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special education teaching assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $34,797 | $16.73 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $36,041 | $17.33 |
| 4 | New York | $39,301 | $18.89 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $36,903 | $17.74 |
| 6 | Indiana | $35,959 | $17.29 |
| 7 | Michigan | $33,171 | $15.95 |
| 8 | Vermont | $33,462 | $16.09 |
| 9 | Washington | $36,914 | $17.75 |
| 10 | Nevada | $31,489 | $15.14 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $34,018 | $16.35 |
| 12 | Illinois | $33,402 | $16.06 |
| 13 | Oregon | $34,285 | $16.48 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $39,727 | $19.10 |
| 15 | Ohio | $32,130 | $15.45 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $36,317 | $17.46 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $32,908 | $15.82 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $32,836 | $15.79 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $30,690 | $14.75 |
| 20 | California | $36,602 | $17.60 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $29,469 | $14.17 |
| 22 | Montana | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 23 | Maine | $30,671 | $14.75 |
| 24 | Arizona | $28,805 | $13.85 |
| 25 | Colorado | $31,077 | $14.94 |
| 26 | District of Columbia | $34,295 | $16.49 |
| 27 | Idaho | $29,692 | $14.28 |
| 28 | Delaware | $29,792 | $14.32 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $29,943 | $14.40 |
| 30 | Missouri | $29,264 | $14.07 |
| 31 | Wyoming | $27,984 | $13.45 |
| 32 | Kansas | $28,997 | $13.94 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $27,457 | $13.20 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| 35 | Minnesota | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| 36 | Maryland | $30,039 | $14.44 |
| 37 | Utah | $29,023 | $13.95 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $27,541 | $13.24 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $28,115 | $13.52 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $27,588 | $13.26 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $27,058 | $13.01 |
| 42 | Virginia | $28,527 | $13.71 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,706 | $12.36 |
| 44 | Texas | $27,323 | $13.14 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $27,171 | $13.06 |
| 46 | Iowa | $26,744 | $12.86 |
| 47 | Georgia | $27,703 | $13.32 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $25,982 | $12.49 |
| 49 | Florida | $25,778 | $12.39 |
| 50 | Louisiana | $25,580 | $12.30 |
| 51 | Alabama | $25,557 | $12.29 |
Highest paying cities for special education teaching assistants
The highest-paying cities for special education teaching assistants are Spring Valley, NY, Needham, MA, and Hartford, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spring Valley, NY | $39,401 | $18.94 |
| 2 | Needham, MA | $36,383 | $17.49 |
| 3 | Hartford, CT | $36,036 | $17.32 |
| 4 | Irvine, CA | $35,938 | $17.28 |
| 5 | Arlington Heights, IL | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | $31,124 | $14.96 |
| 7 | Roseville, MN | $30,025 | $14.44 |
| 8 | Tucson, AZ | $28,659 | $13.78 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $27,100 | $13.03 |
Special education teaching assistant salary details
A special education teaching assistant's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special education teaching assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $33,060 | $2,755 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying special education teaching assistant jobs
The highest paying types of special education teaching assistants are special education teacher, special educator, and special education teacher for grades.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Educator | $53,565 | $4,464 | $25.75 | 62,545 |
| Education Technician | $41,808 | $3,484 | $20.10 | 34,987 |
| Special Education Aide | $31,638 | $2,636 | $15.21 | 95,429 |
| Special Education Teacher | $54,290 | $4,524 | $26.10 | 67,699 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for special education teaching assistants, 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 teaching assistants now:
Which companies pay special education teaching assistants the most?
Special education teaching assistant salaries at Astor Services and Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special education teaching assistant salary at companies like Mardan Foundaton of Educational Therapy Inc and Newton Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Astor Services | $40,027 | $19.24 |
| 2 | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES | $39,314 | $18.90 |
| 3 | Mardan Foundaton of Educational Therapy Inc | $37,677 | $18.11 |
| 4 | Newton Public Schools | $37,374 | $17.97 |
| 5 | Mount Zion Christian Schools | $37,254 | $17.91 |
| 6 | GST BOCES | $34,596 | $16.63 |
| 7 | Roseville Area Schools | $34,104 | $16.40 |
| 8 | Explore Schools | $33,329 | $16.02 |
| 9 | Amphi Public Schools | $32,978 | $15.85 |
| 10 | Albemarle County | $32,485 | $15.62 |
| 11 | AHRC New York City Foundation | $31,874 | $15.32 |
| 12 | Rocky Mountain Prep | $31,426 | $15.11 |
| 13 | Jeffrey C Still Middle School | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| 14 | Hartford Public Schools | $30,264 | $14.55 |
| 15 | Granby Public Schools | $29,208 | $14.04 |
| 16 | YES Prep Public Schools | $28,421 | $13.66 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special education teaching assistant salary trends
The average special education teaching assistant salary has risen by $6,069 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special education teaching assistant earned $26,991 annually, but today, they earn $33,060 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for special education teaching assistants over the last decade.
Compare special education teaching assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special education teaching assistant salary over time
Compare special education teaching assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special education teaching assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,100 | $15.89 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $31,900 | $15.35 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $30,900 | $14.84 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $30,100 | $14.45 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $29,100 | $13.98 | +2.0% |
Recently added special education teaching assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Honey Almond | Special Education Teaching Assistant at Buffalo United Charter School | Buffalo, NY | 06/29/2025 | $36,523 |
| Yes Prep Schools | Special Education Teaching Assistant-YES Prep East End Secondary) | Houston, TX | 06/26/2025 | $32,620 |
| Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation | Special Education Teaching Assistant | Hope, IN | 06/18/2025 | $35,416 |
| Board of Cooperative | Special Education Teaching Assistant (Various Locations)-for Extended School Year Programs | Fairport, NY | 06/18/2025 | $45,351 |
| University Instructors | Special Education Teaching Assistant (1836) | El Paso de Robles, CA | 06/13/2025 | $41,740 |
| University Instructors | Special Education Teaching Assistant (1759) | Greensboro, NC | 06/13/2025 | $37,566 |
| Elmcrest Childrens Center | Special Education Teaching Assistant | Syracuse, NY | 06/11/2025 | $34,081 |
| Skokie School District 68 | Teaching Assistant-Special Education | Kane, IL | 06/11/2025 | $45,392 |
| Racker | Special Education Teaching Assistant | Ithaca, NY | 06/10/2025 | $36,001 |
| Round Lake Area Schools | Special Education Teaching Assistant (3Rd-5Th) | Round Lake, IL | 06/06/2025 | $47,438 |
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