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The differences between special education assistants and education technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an education technician has an average salary of $41,808, which is higher than the $32,149 average annual salary of a special education assistant.
The top three skills for a special education assistant include paraprofessional, behavior management and IEP. The most important skills for an education technician are classroom management, III, and behavior management.
| Special Education Assistant | Education Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,149 | $41,808 |
| Hourly rate | $15.46 | $20.10 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 62,239 | 34,987 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A special education assistant is responsible for supporting class activities in an inclusive classroom setting, assisting students with their tasks under the supervision of a special education teacher. Special education assistants create comprehensive lesson plans which adhere to the students' curriculum and special needs. They also help with developing engaging activities to promote an active learning environment while monitoring the students' personal and social behavior. A special education assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, ensuring the progress of the students by regular interaction, and managing their needs.
The job of an Education Technician is to provide support services to the teaching staff. As an Education Technician, you will be responsible for a variety of duties including reinforcing the academic skills of students in the classroom, the library, and individualized situations, assisting students with their learning materials, and developing student activity plans. Additionally, you will be responsible for reviewing and reinforcing students' learning and preparing instructional materials. You may also perform administrative duties and attend training and orientation as required.
Special education assistants and education technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Education Assistant | Education Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,149 | $41,808 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $29,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Benicia Unified School District | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a special education assistant and an education technician in terms of educational background:
| Special Education Assistant | Education Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between special education assistants' and education technicians' demographics:
| Special Education Assistant | Education Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.9% Female, 78.1% | Male, 31.9% Female, 68.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 8.3% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |