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The differences between student interns and special education assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education assistant has an average salary of $32,149, which is higher than the $31,256 average annual salary of a student internship.
The top three skills for a student internship include patients, student intern and physical therapy. The most important skills for a special education assistant are paraprofessional, behavior management, and IEP.
| Student Internship | Special Education Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $31,256 | $32,149 |
| Hourly rate | $15.03 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 55,578 | 62,239 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Student interns are student trainees in a company. They undergo on-the-job training as it may be required by their degree program in order to graduate. They are assigned to departments in companies that are related to the field of their degree program. Student interns are expected to get enrichment from the experience while also applying what they have learned in the classroom. They are usually given activities or tasks that will help expose them to the professional sphere of their chosen careers and the bigger world outside of the university. They may join company events and activities that will help acclimate them. Student interns should be responsible and diligent.
A special education assistant is responsible for supporting class activities in an inclusive classroom setting, assisting students with their tasks under the supervision of a special education teacher. Special education assistants create comprehensive lesson plans which adhere to the students' curriculum and special needs. They also help with developing engaging activities to promote an active learning environment while monitoring the students' personal and social behavior. A special education assistant must have excellent communication and organization skills, ensuring the progress of the students by regular interaction, and managing their needs.
Student interns and special education assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Student Internship | Special Education Assistant | |
| Average salary | $31,256 | $32,149 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $44,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Benicia Unified School District |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Education |
There are a few differences between a student internship and a special education assistant in terms of educational background:
| Student Internship | Special Education Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | - | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between student interns' and special education assistants' demographics:
| Student Internship | Special Education Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7% | Male, 21.9% Female, 78.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 8.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |