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Special education aide salary
Average special education aide salary
$15.21
Average Special Education Aide Salary
The average salary for a special education aide stands at $31,638 per year, or approximately $15 per hour. This figure reflects various factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific educational institution. In states such as California and New York, salaries can be notably higher than the national average.
Salary by State
Understanding regional salary differences is crucial for prospective aides. For instance, states like California and New York often provide higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for special education professionals. Conversely, states with lower living costs may offer lower salaries.
Job Opportunities
Special education aides can find opportunities in various settings, including public and private schools, as well as specialized educational programs. With the increasing emphasis on inclusive education, the demand for skilled aides continues to grow. This page will help you navigate salary expectations, job prospects, and career paths in this fulfilling field.
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Where can a Special Education Aide earn more?
Special education aide salary estimates from across the web
Average special education aide salary by state
The average special education aide salary in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special education aide salary states are Louisiana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special education aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $32,321 | $15.54 |
| 2 | Delaware | $35,681 | $17.15 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $37,492 | $18.02 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| 5 | New York | $35,404 | $17.02 |
| 6 | Vermont | $33,369 | $16.04 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $31,434 | $15.11 |
| 9 | Wisconsin | $31,695 | $15.24 |
| 10 | Arizona | $30,780 | $14.80 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $32,268 | $15.51 |
| 12 | Indiana | $29,415 | $14.14 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $31,443 | $15.12 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $35,706 | $17.17 |
| 15 | Alaska | $31,682 | $15.23 |
| 16 | Maine | $32,258 | $15.51 |
| 17 | Oregon | $31,292 | $15.04 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $30,512 | $14.67 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $29,956 | $14.40 |
| 20 | Ohio | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| 21 | Illinois | $31,916 | $15.34 |
| 22 | Montana | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| 23 | Washington | $31,279 | $15.04 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $34,565 | $16.62 |
| 25 | Nevada | $28,852 | $13.87 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $28,028 | $13.47 |
| 27 | California | $33,571 | $16.14 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $30,445 | $14.64 |
| 29 | Missouri | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| 30 | Iowa | $27,708 | $13.32 |
| 31 | Minnesota | $29,753 | $14.30 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $26,893 | $12.93 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $27,942 | $13.43 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $27,175 | $13.06 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $25,992 | $12.50 |
| 36 | Idaho | $26,945 | $12.95 |
| 37 | Texas | $26,575 | $12.78 |
| 38 | Colorado | $27,267 | $13.11 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $26,674 | $12.82 |
| 40 | Michigan | $26,793 | $12.88 |
| 41 | Virginia | $27,679 | $13.31 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $25,108 | $12.07 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $24,591 | $11.82 |
| 44 | Georgia | $26,637 | $12.81 |
| 45 | Alabama | $26,471 | $12.73 |
| 46 | Maryland | $27,147 | $13.05 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $24,253 | $11.66 |
| 48 | Utah | $25,684 | $12.35 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $25,166 | $12.10 |
| 50 | Kansas | $24,148 | $11.61 |
| 51 | Florida | $22,798 | $10.96 |
Highest paying cities for special education aides
The highest-paying cities for special education aides are Riverhead, NY, Burlingame, CA, and Paterson, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverhead, NY | $35,656 | $17.14 |
| 2 | Burlingame, CA | $34,037 | $16.36 |
| 3 | Paterson, NJ | $32,391 | $15.57 |
| 4 | Harrisburg, PA | $32,190 | $15.48 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $28,424 | $13.67 |
| 6 | El Paso, TX | $27,841 | $13.39 |
| 7 | Charleston, SC | $27,756 | $13.34 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| 9 | Annapolis, MD | $27,143 | $13.05 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $26,824 | $12.90 |
| 11 | Idaho Falls, ID | $26,148 | $12.57 |
Special education aide salary details
A special education aide's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special education aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $31,638 | $2,637 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying special education aide jobs
The highest paying types of special education aides are special education teacher, special educator, and special education teacher for grades.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Internship | $48,398 | $4,033 | $23.27 | 105,496 |
| Substitute Paraprofessional | $28,914 | $2,410 | $13.90 | 46,060 |
| Aide | $27,793 | $2,316 | $13.36 | 78,919 |
| Classroom Aide | $28,832 | $2,403 | $13.86 | 71,960 |
| Substitute Teachers Aide | $27,488 | $2,291 | $13.22 | 77,249 |
| Teacher Aide | $29,480 | $2,457 | $14.17 | 106,207 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for special education aides, 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 aides now:
Which companies pay special education aides the most?
Special education aide salaries at Bear Valley Unified School District and Campbell Union High School District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special education aide salary at companies like Washington Union High School and Washington Elementary School District are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bear Valley Unified School District | $37,713 | $18.13 |
| 2 | Campbell Union High School District | $37,155 | $17.86 |
| 3 | Washington Union High School | $36,267 | $17.44 |
| 4 | Washington Elementary School District | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| 5 | Summit School | $36,158 | $17.38 |
| 6 | Valley Forge Educational Services | $35,242 | $16.94 |
| 7 | Sacramento City Unified School District | $35,063 | $16.86 |
| 8 | Santa Barbara County Education Office | $35,057 | $16.85 |
| 9 | Tulare Western High School | $34,742 | $16.70 |
| 10 | Spectrum Center Schools | $34,732 | $16.70 |
| 11 | Eastern Suffolk BOCES | $34,600 | $16.63 |
| 12 | Grossmont College | $34,458 | $16.57 |
| 13 | Brown County | $34,404 | $16.54 |
| 14 | Charter Schools USA | $34,341 | $16.51 |
| 15 | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District | $34,150 | $16.42 |
| 16 | Ross Valley School District | $34,011 | $16.35 |
| 17 | East Whittier City School District | $33,778 | $16.24 |
| 18 | Urban Discovery Schools | $33,489 | $16.10 |
| 19 | Sterling High School | $33,452 | $16.08 |
| 20 | KIPP Massachusetts | $33,245 | $15.98 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special education aide salary trends
The average special education aide salary has risen by $5,808 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special education aide earned $25,830 annually, but today, they earn $31,638 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for special education aides over the last decade.
Compare special education aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special education aide salary over time
Compare special education aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special education aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,600 | $15.21 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $30,600 | $14.69 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $29,500 | $14.20 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $28,800 | $13.83 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $27,800 | $13.38 | +2.0% |
Recently added special education aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Honey Almond | Special Education Paraprofessional & Recess Aide at Landmark Academy at Reunion | Commerce City, CO | 06/29/2025 | $38,610 |
| The Episcopal Center for Children | Special Education Instructional Aide | Ione, WA | 06/29/2025 | $30,000 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Special Education Expert Needed-Remote | WFH | Cincinnati, OH | 06/29/2025 | $48,000 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Special Education Aide-Remote | WFH | Dover, DE | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Special Education Aide-Harrington-Remote | WFH | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| Get It-Real Estate | Special Education Aide-Harrington-Remote | WFH | Harrington, DE | 06/29/2025 | $39,653 |
| National Heritage Academies | Special Education Paraprofessional & Recess Aide at Landmark Academy at Reunion | Commerce City, CO | 06/28/2025 | $38,610 |
| Ohio Department of Education | Educational Aide-Special Education | Canfield, OH | 06/28/2025 | $29,218 |
| Clint Independent School District (Tx | Special Education Resource Aide | El Paso, TX | 06/28/2025 | $28,801 |
| Frisco Independent School District (Tx | Special Education Aide-Aspire (18+ Students)'); Document.Write(' | Nome, TX | 06/27/2025 | $25,000 |
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