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Special education instructor vs elementary education teacher

The differences between special education instructors and elementary education teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an elementary education teacher has an average salary of $48,987, which is higher than the $34,380 average annual salary of a special education instructor.

The top three skills for a special education instructor include autism, data collection and ABA. The most important skills for an elementary education teacher are elementary education, classroom management, and professional development.

Special education instructor vs elementary education teacher overview

Special Education InstructorElementary Education Teacher
Yearly salary$34,380$48,987
Hourly rate$16.53$23.55
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs82,79372,024
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

Special education instructor vs elementary education teacher salary

Special education instructors and elementary education teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Special Education InstructorElementary Education Teacher
Average salary$34,380$48,987
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $54,000Between $41,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CityMartinez, CANorth Tonawanda, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaMassachusetts
Best paying companyMissouri State UniversityBaltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between special education instructor and elementary education teacher education

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

Special Education InstructorElementary Education Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorSpecial EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Special education instructor vs elementary education teacher demographics

Here are the differences between special education instructors' and elementary education teachers' demographics:

Special Education InstructorElementary Education Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between special education instructor and elementary education teacher duties and responsibilities

Special education instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Assist classroom teacher in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics.
  • Supervise and assign personnel to meet daily ESE departmental objectives.
  • Facilitate college preparation and scholarship processes and teach remedial and intervention mathematics and strategic reading classes.
  • Administer individualized instruction in reading and math to students in special education and general education as a push-in and pull-out instructor.
  • Design and teach a study skills class for special education students in a pull-out setting.
  • Show more

Elementary education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Plan and implement lessons in reading, math, arts and humanities, social studies, science, and health.
  • Certify ESL teacher as well.
  • Collaborate with preschool autism classroom staff and lead teacher to enhance and encourage social skills with peers.
  • Addressed the needs of the student with autism by providing multi-sensory lessons and a variety of manipulatives.
  • Assign to various non-public schools to provide remediation (reading, writing, and math basic skills) for special-needs students.
  • Show more

Special education instructor vs elementary education teacher skills

Common special education instructor skills
  • Autism, 14%
  • Data Collection, 9%
  • ABA, 8%
  • Early Intervention, 7%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Kids, 7%
Common elementary education teacher skills
  • Elementary Education, 22%
  • Classroom Management, 12%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Math, 5%
  • Core Curriculum, 4%
  • Student Performance, 4%

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