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Special education assistant teacher vs instructional assistant

The differences between special education assistant teachers and instructional assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education assistant teacher has an average salary of $32,961, which is higher than the $32,170 average annual salary of an instructional assistant.

The top three skills for a special education assistant teacher include classroom management, math and CPR. The most important skills for an instructional assistant are CPR, math, and instructional materials.

Special education assistant teacher vs instructional assistant overview

Special Education Assistant TeacherInstructional Assistant
Yearly salary$32,961$32,170
Hourly rate$15.85$15.47
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs68,47550,185
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Special education assistant teacher vs instructional assistant salary

Special education assistant teachers and instructional assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Education Assistant TeacherInstructional Assistant
Average salary$32,961$32,170
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $40,000Between $23,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNSalem, OR
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyMinneapolis Public SchoolsKern Community College District
Best paying industryFinanceEducation

Differences between special education assistant teacher and instructional assistant education

There are a few differences between a special education assistant teacher and an instructional assistant in terms of educational background:

Special Education Assistant TeacherInstructional Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorSpecial EducationPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Special education assistant teacher vs instructional assistant demographics

Here are the differences between special education assistant teachers' and instructional assistants' demographics:

Special Education Assistant TeacherInstructional Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 27.6% Female, 72.4%Male, 27.3% Female, 72.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 8.0% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 8.2% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between special education assistant teacher and instructional assistant duties and responsibilities

Special education assistant teacher example responsibilities.

  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Collect and record daily ABA data.
  • Plan lessons in mathematics, reading and writing.
  • Assist children with developmental skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Facilitate the instruction of regular and special education curriculum in reading, writing, language, and math skills.
  • Plan and deliver daily lessons in literacy, math, and daily living skills to high school students in small groups.
  • Show more

Instructional assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist teachers in the classroom environment for Pre-K-6 students with class materials, photocopying, correcting papers, clerical duties etc.
  • Substitute for Pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Assist lead teacher in a certify Montessori program.
  • Assist students in grades from kindergarten to high school.
  • Administer tests to determine if student continues in ESOL program.
  • Provide training skills to students to administer CPR safely and accurately.
  • Show more

Special education assistant teacher vs instructional assistant skills

Common special education assistant teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 14%
  • Math, 12%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Mathematics, 10%
  • Behavioral Problems, 8%
  • IEP, 6%
Common instructional assistant skills
  • CPR, 17%
  • Math, 8%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Behavioral Issues, 7%
  • Instructional Support, 5%

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