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The role of a Special Population Paraprofessional is crucial in fostering inclusive education. On average, these professionals earn $30,628 per year, translating to about $15 per hour. However, salaries can vary significantly based on geographic location, years of experience, and specific educational settings.
In states like California and New York, paraprofessionals often see higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for skilled educators. For instance, the highest-paying cities include San Francisco and New York City, where salaries may exceed $35,000 annually.
Moreover, experience plays a significant role in determining salary levels. Entry-level positions may start around $25,000, while those with several years in the field can earn upwards of $40,000. As you gain experience and possibly pursue additional certifications, your earning potential can increase substantially.
For those considering a career as a Special Population Paraprofessional, understanding the salary landscape is essential for making informed career choices. Explore job openings in your area to find opportunities that align with your skills and career goals.
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The average special population paraprofessional salary in Hawaii, New York, and Oregon are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special population paraprofessional salary states are Florida, Missouri, and Tennessee.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $33,160 | $15.94 |
| 2 | Oregon | $33,647 | $16.18 |
| 3 | Michigan | $31,798 | $15.29 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $32,042 | $15.40 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $32,471 | $15.61 |
| 6 | Vermont | $32,002 | $15.39 |
| 7 | Washington | $33,463 | $16.09 |
| 8 | New York | $34,959 | $16.81 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $32,081 | $15.42 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $30,632 | $14.73 |
| 11 | Alaska | $33,308 | $16.01 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $33,419 | $16.07 |
| 13 | Ohio | $28,739 | $13.82 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $32,079 | $15.42 |
| 15 | Hawaii | $35,865 | $17.24 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $31,032 | $14.92 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $33,293 | $16.01 |
| 19 | Utah | $28,981 | $13.93 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $27,248 | $13.10 |
| 21 | Montana | $27,604 | $13.27 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $26,380 | $12.68 |
| 23 | Nevada | $29,504 | $14.18 |
| 24 | Maryland | $31,251 | $15.02 |
| 25 | Arizona | $26,857 | $12.91 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| 27 | Iowa | $28,742 | $13.82 |
| 28 | California | $31,552 | $15.17 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $28,166 | $13.54 |
| 30 | Colorado | $28,837 | $13.86 |
| 31 | Maine | $29,259 | $14.07 |
| 32 | Indiana | $26,178 | $12.59 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $25,454 | $12.24 |
| 34 | Illinois | $26,773 | $12.87 |
| 35 | Idaho | $26,471 | $12.73 |
| 36 | Delaware | $27,719 | $13.33 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $25,710 | $12.36 |
| 38 | Georgia | $26,741 | $12.86 |
| 39 | Kansas | $25,745 | $12.38 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $25,015 | $12.03 |
| 41 | Missouri | $23,426 | $11.26 |
| 42 | Virginia | $27,545 | $13.24 |
| 43 | Texas | $25,935 | $12.47 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $23,248 | $11.18 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $24,761 | $11.90 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $24,399 | $11.73 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $23,414 | $11.26 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $24,661 | $11.86 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $23,016 | $11.07 |
| 50 | Alabama | $22,983 | $11.05 |
| 51 | Florida | $23,536 | $11.32 |
The highest-paying cities for special population paraprofessionals are Brentwood, NY, New Brunswick, NJ, and Alameda, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brentwood, NY | $35,073 | $16.86 |
| 2 | New Brunswick, NJ | $33,400 | $16.06 |
| 3 | Alameda, CA | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| 4 | Branford, CT | $32,087 | $15.43 |
| 5 | Cottage Grove, MN | $32,077 | $15.42 |
| 6 | Surprise, AZ | $26,996 | $12.98 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $26,845 | $12.91 |
| 8 | Anderson, IN | $26,163 | $12.58 |
| 9 | Edmond, OK | $25,499 | $12.26 |
A special population paraprofessional's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $30,628 | $2,552 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
The highest paying types of special population paraprofessionals are special educator, teacher internship, and teacher associate.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Internship | $48,398 | $4,033 | $23.27 | 105,496 |
| Student Internship | $31,256 | $2,605 | $15.03 | 55,578 |
| Teacher Aide | $29,480 | $2,457 | $14.17 | 106,207 |
| Classroom Aide | $28,832 | $2,403 | $13.86 | 71,960 |
| Para Educator | $31,394 | $2,616 | $15.09 | 56,897 |
| Instructional Aide | $30,993 | $2,583 | $14.90 | 60,846 |
Top companies hiring special population paraprofessionals now:
Special population paraprofessional salaries at Alameda Unified and South Washington County Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special population paraprofessional salary at companies like Piedmont Unified School District and New Brunswick Public Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alameda Unified | $34,942 | $16.80 |
| 2 | South Washington County Schools | $33,726 | $16.21 |
| 3 | Piedmont Unified School District | $33,554 | $16.13 |
| 4 | New Brunswick Public Schools | $33,363 | $16.04 |
| 5 | Anderson Community Schools | $33,061 | $15.89 |
| 6 | Lakeville Area Public Schools | $32,553 | $15.65 |
| 7 | Vacaville USD | $32,283 | $15.52 |
| 8 | Kelly Services | $32,064 | $15.42 |
| 9 | Purpose Built Schools Atlanta | $30,442 | $14.64 |
| 10 | Black Hills Special Services Cooperative | $30,216 | $14.53 |
| 11 | BDO USA | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| 12 | The SOS Group | $29,871 | $14.36 |
| 13 | Henry Clay High School | $27,267 | $13.11 |
| 14 | Edmond Public Schools | $25,331 | $12.18 |
| 15 | Jefferson Parish Public Schools | $24,518 | $11.79 |
| 16 | Goodwill Staffing Services | $24,029 | $11.55 |
The average special population paraprofessional salary has risen by $5,623 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special population paraprofessional earned $25,005 annually, but today, they earn $30,628 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for special population paraprofessionals over the last decade.
Compare special population paraprofessional salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare special population paraprofessional salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,600 | $14.72 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $29,600 | $14.22 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $28,600 | $13.75 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $27,800 | $13.39 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $26,900 | $12.95 | +2.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Story Schools | Special ED Paraprofessional-Immediate | Salunga, PA | 06/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD (Tx | Inclusion Paraprofessional-Specialized Learning Grades | Coldspring, TX | 06/28/2025 | $22,540 |
| Black Hills Special Services Cooperative | Special ED Paraprofessional @ Hermosa | Sturgis, SD | 06/27/2025 | $38,296 |
| First Children Services | Specialized Paraprofessional | Burlington, NJ | 06/16/2025 | $37,566 |
| Edmond Public Schools | Elementary Paraprofessional II-Special ED | Edmond, OK | 06/13/2025 | $33,121 |
| Seaman Unified School District 345 | Special ED. Paraprofessional-Elementary | Topeka, KS | 06/12/2025 | $29,740 |
| Stillwater Area Public Schools | Special ED Paraprofessional (CIP Site-Based Program/Hours DAY, Lily Lake Elementary | Nore, MN | 06/09/2025 | $43,827 |
| Wooster City Schools | Specialized Paraprofessional (Unit) | Enon, OH | 06/06/2025 | $41,260 |
| Amergis | Special ED Paraprofessional | Methuen School Year | Methuen Town, MA | 06/04/2025 | $45,914 |
| Hamilton Township School District (Atlantic County | Paraprofessional-Special ED. GR K | Noble, LA | 06/03/2025 | $21,497 |
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