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Student assistant vs special education instructional assistant

The differences between student assistants and special education instructional assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education instructional assistant has an average salary of $32,025, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for a student assistant include customer service, front desk and administrative assistance. The most important skills for a special education instructional assistant are CPR, instructional materials, and autism.

Student assistant vs special education instructional assistant overview

Student AssistantSpecial Education Instructional Assistant
Yearly salary$25,439$32,025
Hourly rate$12.23$15.40
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs29,09360,974
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a student assistant do?

Student assistants are university students who are working part-time for a staff member or department. They are usually assigned to do administrative or clerical activities to help ease the load of their supervisor. They may manage files and information dissemination channels of the department. They may extend assistance during the registration period by helping other students fill out forms, managing the department's enrollment procedure, or doing any other activity required by their supervisor. They may also be asked to mentor younger students. Student assistants should be organized and trustworthy.

What does a special education instructional assistant do?

Special education instructional assistant does work under the supervision of the principal and other administrative workers, especially in school and college. They prepare the material aids which are helping to teach in the classroom. Moreover, they are more inclined upon the progress of students. Conducting the exams, preparing the notes, preparing the result and giving the instruction to the students about their life career and course books etc are the main duties of the special education instructional assistant. They preach, instruct, command and come up with the idea about making the school environment more friendly and viable.

Student assistant vs special education instructional assistant salary

Student assistants and special education instructional assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student AssistantSpecial Education Instructional Assistant
Average salary$25,439$32,025
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $37,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYRedwood City, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandHawaii
Best paying companyNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric ResearchGoleta Union School District
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between student assistant and special education instructional assistant education

There are a few differences between a student assistant and a special education instructional assistant in terms of educational background:

Student AssistantSpecial Education Instructional Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Student assistant vs special education instructional assistant demographics

Here are the differences between student assistants' and special education instructional assistants' demographics:

Student AssistantSpecial Education Instructional Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 19.3% Female, 80.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 24.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between student assistant and special education instructional assistant duties and responsibilities

Student assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Adhere to all aspects of FERPA and student confidentiality guidelines.
  • Answer phone, run errands, take messages, help office manager
  • Order, open and distribute office supplies weekly, and run errands.
  • Clean and stock supplies in restrooms, wash windows, walls and fix light fixtures.
  • Perform CPR during emergency rotation.
  • Show more

Special education instructional assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help to manage activities and assist with projects for autistic and ADHD diagnose preschoolers enroll in the special education summer program.
  • Perform responsible human support and paraprofessional work assisting classroom teacher or other professionals, achieve institution objectives.
  • Have taught math and done individualize instruction with modifications and adaptations for other students with learning disabilities.
  • Provide individual instruction in math and reading for kindergarten and first grade students identify as having learning and/or developmental disabilities.
  • Familiarize myself with ABA teaching and behavior techniques.
  • Support and assist in implementation of ABA and behavior plans.
  • Show more

Student assistant vs special education instructional assistant skills

Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%
Common special education instructional assistant skills
  • CPR, 14%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • Autism, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • Math, 6%
  • Behavioral Problems, 5%

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