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The differences between special education instructors and special needs teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special needs teacher has an average salary of $47,334, 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 a special needs teacher are autism, behavioral issues, and mathematics.
| Special Education Instructor | Special Needs Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $34,380 | $47,334 |
| Hourly rate | $16.53 | $22.76 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 82,793 | 74,039 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
These education instructors provide verified and special instructions to deal with the instructional objectives/goals featured within each learner's IEP. They assess learners' progress and identify if there is a need to reinforce or adjust instructional techniques. They make it easy for learners to attain their IEP objectives by employing different teaching principles, methods, and techniques. Besides evaluating and re-evaluating special education, These education instructors also direct, supervise and evaluate educational assistants where possible. These professionals also perform their duties based on federal and state regulations and rules and school board policies.
A Special Needs Teacher works with children and young people who need support with their learning because they find it difficult. They evaluate students skills to determine their needs, develop teaching plans, and adapt lessons to meet the needs of students.
Special education instructors and special needs teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Education Instructor | Special Needs Teacher | |
| Average salary | $34,380 | $47,334 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $54,000 | Between $34,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Martinez, CA | Berkeley, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Missouri State University | San Mateo County Office Of Education |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a special education instructor and a special needs teacher in terms of educational background:
| Special Education Instructor | Special Needs Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Special Education | Special Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between special education instructors' and special needs teachers' demographics:
| Special Education Instructor | Special Needs Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% | Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |