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The differences between special ed teachers and learning support 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 $33,914 average annual salary of a learning support teacher.
The top three skills for a special ed teacher include classroom management, instructional materials and behavior management. The most important skills for a learning support teacher are classroom management, math, and mathematics.
| Special ED Teacher | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $49,456 | $33,914 |
| Hourly rate | $23.78 | $16.30 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 71,990 | 120,054 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| 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.
Learning support teachers focus on offering out-of-school education to pupils who need additional help. Their duties include planning and implementing constructive teaching policies as well as collaborating with parents, other relevant professionals, and personnel. They assist pupils in adapting and overcoming problems that emerge due to learning difficulties. Also, the design and foster suitable skills and social abilities as well as motivate students to develop independence, self-confidence, and to achieve their full potential. Additionally, they develop and deliver lessons as well as record and assess children's progress.
Special ed teachers and learning support teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special ED Teacher | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Average salary | $49,456 | $33,914 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $71,000 | Between $23,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Whitby School | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a special ed teacher and a learning support teacher in terms of educational background:
| Special ED Teacher | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Special Education | Special Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between special ed teachers' and learning support teachers' demographics:
| Special ED Teacher | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3% | Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8% |
| 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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |