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The differences between special ed teachers and certified teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified teacher has an average salary of $50,708, which is higher than the $49,456 average annual salary of a special ed teacher.
The top three skills for a special ed teacher include classroom management, instructional materials and behavior management. The most important skills for a certified teacher are math, mathematics, and kids.
| Special ED Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $49,456 | $50,708 |
| Hourly rate | $23.78 | $24.38 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 71,990 | 92,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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 certified teacher is responsible for designing lesson plans and activities for the students by following the curriculum and the students' learning needs. Certified teachers manage the coordination of the students within the classroom setting, observe their behaviors, and identify their areas of improvement by determining every student's strengths and weaknesses. They also evaluate the students' performance and progress by conducting assessments and facilitating engaging activities that would not only help the students develop their mental skills but their social connections as well.
Special ed teachers and certified teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special ED Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Average salary | $49,456 | $50,708 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $71,000 | Between $37,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Danbury, CT |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Whitby School | Universal Health Services |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a special ed teacher and a certified teacher in terms of educational background:
| Special ED Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Special Education | Elementary Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between special ed teachers' and certified teachers' demographics:
| Special ED Teacher | Certified Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% | Male, 25.6% Female, 74.4% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 9% |