Special education teacher vs social worker

The differences between special education teachers and social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education teacher has an average salary of $54,290, which is higher than the $50,102 average annual salary of a social worker.

The top three skills for a special education teacher include classroom management, autism and behavior management. The most important skills for a social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Special education teacher vs social worker overview

	Special Education Teacher	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$54,290	$50,102
Hourly rate	$26.10	$24.09
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	67,699	77,340
Job satisfaction	4.33	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	43	45
Years of experience	-	2

What does a special education teacher do?

A special education teacher is responsible for teaching students with disabilities. Special education teachers are trained professionals to provide distinct learning instructions for children with special cases for them to achieve their potentials and improve their self-confidence. A special education teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist the students with their learning areas. Special education teachers should be able to come up with engaging activities to support the students' behavioral and intellectual development.

What does a social worker do?

Social workers help their clients get through problems that they may be facing. Social workers help identify individuals or groups of people, usually families, who may need assistance, generally through a set of pre-determined criteria. They then determine the best ways to help their clients by interviewing them, getting to know them, and understanding the context of their lives. They create plans that will help their clients become better, such as integrating into a new environment, assisting them in their needs, or even rescuing them from their current place. Social workers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills.

Special education teacher vs social worker salary

Special education teachers and social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Special Education Teacher	Social Worker
Average salary	$54,290	$50,102
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $73,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	Maryland	Oregon
Best paying company	Baltimore City Public Schools	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between special education teacher and social worker education

There are a few differences between a special education teacher and a social worker in terms of educational background:

	Special Education Teacher	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 66%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Special Education	Social Work
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Special education teacher vs social worker demographics

Here are the differences between special education teachers' and social workers' demographics:

	Special Education Teacher	Social Worker
Average age	43	45
Gender ratio	Male, 24.6% Female, 75.4%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	8%	13%

Differences between special education teacher and social worker duties and responsibilities

Special education teacher example responsibilities.

Lead a DIBELS intervention group.
Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
Design a unique and differentiate curriculum that addressed state standards for both mathematics and special education.
Educate special needs kids with mental and physical disabilities using proven conventional and improvise teaching/learning methods.
Plan appropriate lessons align to NYS CCSS.
Instruct and create ELA lessons through Fountas and Pinnell and Fundations.

Social worker example responsibilities.

Assist clients in achieving treatment goals such as anger, ADHD, grief, social skills, and manners.
Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
Support patient questions and issues regarding Medicare ESRD entitlement and Medicaid and assist in the completion of the appropriate documentation.
Coordinate IPU discharge planning patients to SNF, ALF, PCH or in-home care with necessary support for care.
Facilitate relationships with AKF and other patient assistance programs, VA, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
Complete Medicaid and Medicare applications as needed.

Special education teacher vs social worker skills

Common special education teacher skills

Classroom Management, 11%
Autism, 10%
Behavior Management, 6%
IEPs, 6%
Professional Development, 6%
Student Learning, 6%

Common social worker skills

Social Work, 30%
Patients, 15%
Patient Care, 5%
MSW, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Home Health, 4%

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Special Education Teacher vs Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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