Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between special ed teachers and 2nd grade teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special ed teacher has an average salary of $49,456, which is higher than the $46,850 average annual salary of a 2nd grade teacher.
The top three skills for a special ed teacher include classroom management, instructional materials and behavior management. The most important skills for a 2nd grade teacher are classroom management, math, and professional development.
| Special ED Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $49,456 | $46,850 |
| Hourly rate | $23.78 | $22.52 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 71,990 | 59,077 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Special ED teachers are teaching professionals who create and apply appropriate curricula and assign activities for students with special needs and disabilities. These teachers must work with the parents, general education teachers, and the school administrators to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student. They are required to monitor the behavioral patterns of children with special needs while keeping track of their progress. Special ED teachers must also mentor other professionals who are involved with children with disabilities.
A 2nd-grade teacher specializes in educating young children, providing them with a safe and efficient classroom environment. One of their primary responsibilities is to devise strategies to improve the students' academic knowledge and interpersonal skills, craft effective lesson plans, and enhance their reading and writing skills. Moreover, a teacher must assess the students' progress by conducting tests and quizzes, encouraging them to learn through various activities, monitoring the children's behavior, and reporting to their parents should there be any concerns.
Special ed teachers and 2nd grade teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special ED Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Average salary | $49,456 | $46,850 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $71,000 | Between $32,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Pablo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Whitby School | Irving Isd |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a special ed teacher and a 2nd grade teacher in terms of educational background:
| Special ED Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Special Education | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between special ed teachers' and 2nd grade teachers' demographics:
| Special ED Teacher | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% | Male, 17.2% Female, 82.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |