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Special education instructional assistant vs instructional paraprofessional

The differences between special education instructional assistants and instructional paraprofessionals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education instructional assistant has an average salary of $32,025, which is higher than the $31,835 average annual salary of an instructional paraprofessional.

The top three skills for a special education instructional assistant include CPR, instructional materials and autism. The most important skills for an instructional paraprofessional are mathematics, instructional materials, and IEP.

Special education instructional assistant vs instructional paraprofessional overview

Special Education Instructional AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Yearly salary$32,025$31,835
Hourly rate$15.40$15.31
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs60,97449,766
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Special education instructional assistant vs instructional paraprofessional salary

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

Special Education Instructional AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Average salary$32,025$31,835
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityRedwood City, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyGoleta Union School DistrictBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between special education instructional assistant and instructional paraprofessional education

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

Special Education Instructional AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Special education instructional assistant vs instructional paraprofessional demographics

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

Special Education Instructional AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 19.3% Female, 80.7%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

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

Special education instructional assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help to manage activities and assist with projects for autistic and ADHD diagnose preschoolers enroll in the special education summer program.
  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Have taught math and done individualize instruction with modifications and adaptations for other students with learning disabilities.
  • Provide individual instruction in math and reading for kindergarten and first grade students identify as having learning and/or developmental disabilities.
  • Familiarize myself with ABA teaching and behavior techniques.
  • Support and assist in implementation of ABA and behavior plans.
  • Show more

Instructional paraprofessional example responsibilities.

  • Help ESL students achieve their academic goals while they learn a new language and adapt to a new community and culture.
  • Assist students with their educational needs in language arts, mathematics, social students and science.
  • Carry out behavior intervention techniques and ABA.
  • Provide administration and care of ABA and discrete trial training.
  • Verify the appropriate process and procedures that are necessary to fulfill IEP objectives.
  • Create a sensory chair to encourage a pre-k scholar to remain seat during the day.
  • Show more

Special education instructional assistant vs instructional paraprofessional skills

Common special education instructional assistant skills
  • CPR, 14%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Autism, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • Math, 6%
  • Behavioral Problems, 5%
Common instructional paraprofessional skills
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • IEP, 7%
  • English Language, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Educational Materials, 5%

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