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Job outlook for special population paraprofessionals in the United States
Special population paraprofessional job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected special population paraprofessional job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 55,400 new jobs for special population paraprofessionals are projected over the next decade.
Special population paraprofessional salaries have increased 14% for special population paraprofessionals in the last 5 years.
There are over 53,710 special population paraprofessionals currently employed in the United States.
There are 13,792 active special population paraprofessional job openings in the US.
The average special population paraprofessional salary is $30,628.
Are special population paraprofessional jobs in demand?
Special population paraprofessional job and salary trends over time
Special population paraprofessional jobs over time
Special population paraprofessional job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53,710 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 57,939 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 60,928 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 54,654 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 53,351 | 0.02% |
Average special population paraprofessional salary over time
Special population paraprofessional salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,628 | $14.72 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $29,579 | $14.22 | +3.4% |
| 2023 | $28,600 | $13.75 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $27,847 | $13.39 | +3.3% |
| 2021 | $26,946 | $12.95 | +2.0% |
Special population paraprofessional jobs by state
Most common states for special population paraprofessionals
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 476 | 11% |
| 2 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 196 | 10% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 132 | 10% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 62 | 9% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 50 | 9% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 47 | 8% |
| 7 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 436 | 7% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 71 | 7% |
| 9 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 694 | 6% |
| 10 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 437 | 6% |
| 11 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 224 | 6% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 697 | 5% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 664 | 5% |
| 14 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 465 | 5% |
| 15 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 265 | 5% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 220 | 5% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 146 | 5% |
| 18 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 141 | 5% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 100 | 5% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 36 | 5% |
Most common cities for special population paraprofessionals
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Redwood City | 1 | 1% | $32,851 |
| 2 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $33,294 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $26,845 |
Special Population Paraprofessional job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of special population paraprofessional experts
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Lock Haven University
Springfield College
Missouri State University
Boston College
Nicholls State University
Chatham University
What general advice would you give to a Special Population Paraprofessional?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: The first part is to get your Master's degree, and then understand the pay scale in the district you work in as well as the districts around you. The second part is to make sure to join the teachers union and understand the bargaining process.
What general advice would you give to a Special Population Paraprofessional?
Amy Kunkel Ph.D.: The need for good special education teachers is greater than ever before, thus graduates with a special education teaching license can often find teaching positions within their own communities. Take your time to look around at your options, ask questions about your caseload, and try to gauge the support provided by administration and the special education team you will be joining. Oftentimes our student teachers have multiple job offers prior to finishing up their student teaching semester. You want to choose an environment that feels welcoming and supportive.
One piece of advice that all new teachers should remember is the importance of self-care. Teaching is not an easy profession, and teachers teach because they love working with children and young adults. Special education teachers have a very unique passion, and it's helpful to always remember your reason for teaching. The kids will help you with this! I recommend new teachers keep a journal of their thoughts, keep their evenings and weekends work-free, and find time to nourish their hobbies and skills outside the classroom.
Dr. Erica Moore
Associate Professor and Department ChairpersonLock Haven University
Department of Special Education
What soft skills should all Special Population Paraprofessionals possess?
Dr. Erica Moore: In my opinion, all graduates in education should possess the soft skills of motivation, dedication, and enthusiasm. Educators should be constantly evolving and motivated to seek innovative instructional activities to best meet the needs of their students. Dedication to the students and to the profession is a must! Graduates should be entering the field of special education for the love of watching students grow and achieve. Some days can be extremely stressful; therefore, the love and commitment for supporting the success of individuals with exceptionalities makes everything worthwhile.
Finally, enthusiasm to continue learning and sharing the joy in the classroom can be contagious. One of my favorite quotes I have lived by as an educator is; "Nothing great is every achieved without enthusiasm" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. I truly believe that passion and enthusiasm should be at the core of your mission as a special education teacher. If students are able to see an excitement for teaching, their spark for learning will ignite.
Dr. Linda Davis-Delano
Director, Educator Preparation & Licensure, Professor, Physical EducationSpringfield College
Educator Preparation
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Special Population Paraprofessional job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Linda Davis-Delano: Many more job openings as teachers retire early.
What skills stand out on Special Population Paraprofessional resumes?
Dr. Linda Davis-Delano: Ability to teach remotely and use a variety of pedagogical techniques including the use of a variety of technological platforms (e.g., YouTube, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Nearpod, Kahoot, Brainpop, TedEd).
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Special Population Paraprofessional job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Ximena Uribe-Zarain: Even though the pandemic has had an enormous impact on the social, economic, and emotional fabric of our society, jobs in our field have not been greatly affected by it. Graduates from the field of educational assessment, program evaluation, and research in education will find plenty of opportunities even in harsh times like these. The trends in the job market continue to be in industry in the area of psychometrics, program evaluation firms, and higher education.
What the pandemic has changed is the way we conduct business. The pandemic has made more evident and even widened systemic inequalities. As researchers, we need to pay close attention to our own cultural responsiveness and be mindful of the disparities in terms of health, racial justice, and technological access. We need to be intentional in our designs, analyses, and the dissemination of results; ultimately thinking on the way our work contributes to a more inclusive and equitable society.
Tim Klein
MSW, True North LeadBoston College
Lynch School Of Education and Human Development
What skills stand out on Special Population Paraprofessional resumes?
Tim Klein: This market shift will influence the skills that employers are looking for. Specifically, this will put a premium on universal human skills-skills that cannot be replaced by technology. Companies will be looking for three types of workers who possess different universal human skills-they will want innovators who are creative, critical thinkers adept at navigating uncertainty. They will want facilitators, who are skilled communicators and expert relationship builders. They will want executors-people who are incredibly responsible, accountable and trustworthy. The good news is that interdisciplinary studies provides ample opportunity for students to become innovators, facilitators and executors. Because these skills are not domain specific, students with an interdisciplinary background could really excel in a variety of fields, from healthcare, to tech, to education. Recent college graduate ability to successfully enter the workforce will depend on their ability to "self-credential"-that is, effectively tell the story of how they developed universal human skills through their college education, and show how those skills will transfer to success in the workforce.
Karen Cheramie
Interdisciplinary Studies Program CoordinatorNicholls State University
English, Modern Languages & Cultural Studies Department
What skills stand out on Special Population Paraprofessional resumes?
Karen Cheramie: Make sure your future employers know the impact you can make in the job. Check on your transferable skills. Be flexible and adaptable.
Christie Lewis
Assistant Professor of Education, Field CoordinatorChatham University
Education Department
What experience really stands out on Special Population Paraprofessional resumes?
Christie Lewis: I believe that graduates that go above and beyond the "check the box" really stand out. What I mean by this is that graduates who have been involved in the school and that became part of the school community really stand out. Perhaps a graduate volunteered to help with events at the school, started a tutoring club, and/or participated and did other things than teach in the classroom stands out. In addition, I think that volunteering in the community and also participating in teacher professional development really stands out. These things show that a graduate is excited and passionate.