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How to hire a substitute paraprofessional

Substitute paraprofessional hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring substitute paraprofessionals in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a substitute paraprofessional is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new substitute paraprofessional to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a substitute paraprofessional, step by step

To hire a substitute paraprofessional, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a substitute paraprofessional:

Here's a step-by-step substitute paraprofessional hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a substitute paraprofessional job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new substitute paraprofessional
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a substitute paraprofessional do?

The man who is highly acclaimed working in the education field is simply known as the substitute paraprofessional. These professionals are education workers who help licensed teachers in student administration.

Learn more about the specifics of what a substitute paraprofessional does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The substitute paraprofessional hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a substitute paraprofessional to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a substitute paraprofessional that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of substitute paraprofessionals.

    Type of Substitute ParaprofessionalDescriptionHourly rate
    Substitute ParaprofessionalTeacher assistants work under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction.$11-16
    Teacher AideTeacher aides help lead teachers in managing the classroom. They assist teachers in conducting classroom sessions by setting up the classroom in advance, sourcing materials needed for class activities, helping in presentations, and guiding students during class activities... Show more$11-17
    Teacher InternshipTeaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them... Show more$16-32
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Instructional Support
    • Math
    • Classroom Environment
    • Mathematics
    • Classroom Management
    • Para
    • Instructional Materials
    • IEP
    • K-12
    • Behavior Management
    • Public Schools
    • Clerical Tasks
    • Classroom Materials
    • Kindergarten
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Obtain finger print clearance card, CPR and first aid certify.
    • Help students with strategies to assist them with studying, reading and math.
    • Assist teachers with math, literacy and science centers and chaperone field trips.
    • Assist in a variety of classrooms throughout the district with children who qualify for para support
    • Provide care for kids in grades k-12 in a fun, safe environment after school.
    • Assist students with reinforcement activities in areas such reading, mathematics and language arts, etc.
    More substitute paraprofessional duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the substitute paraprofessional job description is a good way to get more applicants. A substitute paraprofessional salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a substitute paraprofessional in North Carolina may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level substitute paraprofessional. Additionally, a substitute paraprofessional with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average substitute paraprofessional salary

    $13.90hourly

    $28,914 yearly

    Entry-level substitute paraprofessional salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025

    Average substitute paraprofessional salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$31,205$15
    2New York$30,443$15
    3Indiana$30,172$15
    4Massachusetts$29,771$14
    5New Mexico$28,577$14
    6North Dakota$27,924$13
    7Minnesota$27,738$13
    8Connecticut$27,557$13
    9Texas$27,515$13
    10Nebraska$27,416$13
    11Illinois$27,260$13
    12Pennsylvania$26,167$13
    13Missouri$25,438$12
    14Colorado$25,314$12
    15Kansas$25,295$12
    16Michigan$25,145$12
    17Iowa$24,408$12
    18Delaware$23,901$11
    19Florida$21,358$10

    Average substitute paraprofessional salary by company

  4. Writing a substitute paraprofessional job description

    A good substitute paraprofessional job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a substitute paraprofessional job description:

    Substitute paraprofessional job description example

    We are currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year!

    APPLY NOW!!!

    What You Will Do :

    • Establish a culture of high expectations that ensures all scholars in the classroom meet their projected individual growth goals for both Math and ELA
    • Assess students regularly and personalize classroom instruction based on assessment data and each scholar's needs
    • Communicate regularly with students and families and involve families as partners in their child’s education
    • Identify unique student needs and collaborate with team members to effectively address those needs and improve instructional practices throughout the school

    Education and Experience:

    • 1+ years' experience working with children in an educational setting
    • Knowledge of child cognitive development and various learning styles
    • Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative student data
    • Strength in using data to drive instruction
    • Willingness to align your mission with the vision of PLA’s Core Values.
    • Interpersonal skills are necessary to establish and maintain effective relationships with students, parents/guardians, and other staff

    AND ARE YOU?

    • Able to drive the mission and vision of PLA
    • An excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills

    WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? APPLY NOW!

    Why should you apply?

    PLA offers student loan forgiveness and support (for those that qualify), competitive salary and benefits, strong Professional Development, leverage & integrated technology, appreciation and recognition year-round, participation in free Summer Program & job training program for your dependents, and additional income opportunities.

    WHO ARE WE:

    At PLA, we share an unwavering belief and passion for educating and empowering scholars from under-served communities driven by our Core Values: children first, respect, determination, continuous improvement, and gratitude. Our approach to leading successful schools builds on over 20 years of experience running educational programs for children, the latest scientific research, and the best practices throughout the nation.

    To create this kind of vibrant learning community, we hire only the best of the best educators & industry leaders and invest heavily in our faculty through ongoing professional development and support. We value people like you, people with a dedication to excellence and a passion for helping all our scholars develop the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to succeed while fueling their aspirations for the future.

    PLA is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify in all states that require it.

    Please read carefully.

    Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is an equal opportunity employer. PLA does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service.

    By completing this application you understand that neither the completion of this application nor any other part of my consideration for employment establishes any obligation for PLA to hire me. If hired, I understand that either PLA or I can terminate my employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of PLA has the authority to make any assurance to the contrary.

    You attest by applying to this position that you have given PLA true and complete information on this application. No requested information has been concealed. I authorize PLA to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information I have provided is untrue, or if I have concealed material information, I understand that this will constitute cause for the denial of employment or immediate dismissal.

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  5. Post your job

    To find the right substitute paraprofessional for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with substitute paraprofessionals they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit substitute paraprofessionals who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your substitute paraprofessional job on Zippia to find and recruit substitute paraprofessional candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit substitute paraprofessionals, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new substitute paraprofessional

    Once you've decided on a perfect substitute paraprofessional candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a substitute paraprofessional?

Recruiting substitute paraprofessionals involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $28,914 per year for a substitute paraprofessional, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for substitute paraprofessionals in the US typically range between $11 and $16 an hour.

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