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The differences between special educators and learning support teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special educator has an average salary of $53,565, which is higher than the $33,914 average annual salary of a learning support teacher.
The top three skills for a special educator include autism, student learning and math. The most important skills for a learning support teacher are classroom management, math, and mathematics.
| Special Educator | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $53,565 | $33,914 |
| Hourly rate | $25.75 | $16.30 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 62,545 | 120,054 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A special education teacher's role is to facilitate learning for students with disabilities. The responsibilities of a special education teacher typically revolve around identifying the needs of students, devising lesson plans and strategies to meet their needs, developing test structure to assess their learning, and assisting them in areas of difficulties. It is also essential to coordinate with families and guardians, reporting to them should there be any problems. Furthermore, as a special education teacher, it is necessary to monitor the students' progress and behavior, maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for them.
Learning support teachers focus on offering out-of-school education to pupils who need additional help. Their duties include planning and implementing constructive teaching policies as well as collaborating with parents, other relevant professionals, and personnel. They assist pupils in adapting and overcoming problems that emerge due to learning difficulties. Also, the design and foster suitable skills and social abilities as well as motivate students to develop independence, self-confidence, and to achieve their full potential. Additionally, they develop and deliver lessons as well as record and assess children's progress.
Special educators and learning support teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Educator | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Average salary | $53,565 | $33,914 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $75,000 | Between $23,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oceanside, NY | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Capistrano Unified | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a special educator and a learning support teacher in terms of educational background:
| Special Educator | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Special Education | Special Education |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between special educators' and learning support teachers' demographics:
| Special Educator | Learning Support Teacher | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.3% Female, 78.7% | Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |