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School aide vs instructional paraprofessional

The differences between school aides and instructional paraprofessionals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an instructional paraprofessional has an average salary of $31,835, which is higher than the $29,896 average annual salary of a school aide.

The top three skills for a school aide include CPR, role model and direct supervision. The most important skills for an instructional paraprofessional are mathematics, instructional materials, and IEP.

School aide vs instructional paraprofessional overview

School AideInstructional Paraprofessional
Yearly salary$29,896$31,835
Hourly rate$14.37$15.31
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs69,23149,766
Job satisfaction1-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

School aide vs instructional paraprofessional salary

School aides and instructional paraprofessionals have different pay scales, as shown below.

School AideInstructional Paraprofessional
Average salary$29,896$31,835
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $39,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityBrentwood, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsWashington
Best paying companySt. Clare Catholic SchoolBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between school aide and instructional paraprofessional education

There are a few differences between a school aide and an instructional paraprofessional in terms of educational background:

School AideInstructional Paraprofessional
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

School aide vs instructional paraprofessional demographics

Here are the differences between school aides' and instructional paraprofessionals' demographics:

School AideInstructional Paraprofessional
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 27.4% Female, 72.6%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 7.4% White, 54.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between school aide and instructional paraprofessional duties and responsibilities

School aide example responsibilities.

  • Train in CPR to effectively manage emergency situations.
  • Administer medication to members, CPR certify.
  • Provide support appropriate to the students' abilities and identify IEP goals.
  • Provide emotional support for one student with learning disabilities along with IEP procedures.
  • Evaluate all sorts of Mac/Windows software (PageMaker, PowerPoint, etc).
  • Conduct individual exercise instruction as prescribed by supervising therapist, significantly resulting in improving the overall well being of many patients.
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Instructional paraprofessional example responsibilities.

  • Help ESL students achieve their academic goals while they learn a new language and adapt to a new community and culture.
  • Assist students with their educational needs in language arts, mathematics, social students and science.
  • Carry out behavior intervention techniques and ABA.
  • Provide administration and care of ABA and discrete trial training.
  • Verify the appropriate process and procedures that are necessary to fulfill IEP objectives.
  • Create a sensory chair to encourage a pre-k scholar to remain seat during the day.
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School aide vs instructional paraprofessional skills

Common school aide skills
  • CPR, 19%
  • Role Model, 15%
  • Direct Supervision, 6%
  • Child Care, 6%
  • Behavioral Problems, 5%
  • Office Equipment, 4%
Common instructional paraprofessional skills
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • IEP, 7%
  • English Language, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Educational Materials, 5%

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