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Substitute teacher vs instructional paraprofessional

The differences between substitute teachers and instructional paraprofessionals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a substitute teacher has an average salary of $32,904, which is higher than the $31,835 average annual salary of an instructional paraprofessional.

The top three skills for a substitute teacher include kids, math and help support. The most important skills for an instructional paraprofessional are mathematics, instructional materials, and IEP.

Substitute teacher vs instructional paraprofessional overview

Substitute TeacherInstructional Paraprofessional
Yearly salary$32,904$31,835
Hourly rate$15.82$15.31
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs69,29249,766
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4244
Years of experience--

Substitute teacher vs instructional paraprofessional salary

Substitute teachers and instructional paraprofessionals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Substitute TeacherInstructional Paraprofessional
Average salary$32,904$31,835
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $45,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaWashington
Best paying companyEthical Culture Fieldston SchoolBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between substitute teacher and instructional paraprofessional education

There are a few differences between a substitute teacher and an instructional paraprofessional in terms of educational background:

Substitute TeacherInstructional Paraprofessional
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorElementary EducationPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Substitute teacher vs instructional paraprofessional demographics

Here are the differences between substitute teachers' and instructional paraprofessionals' demographics:

Substitute TeacherInstructional Paraprofessional
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 27.2% Female, 72.8%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.8% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage11%6%

Differences between substitute teacher and instructional paraprofessional duties and responsibilities

Substitute teacher example responsibilities.

  • Manage the classroom environment and help students to learn in the absence of the regular teacher with grades levels k-5.
  • Manage substitute teaching responsibilities in elementary and secondary school including ESL and bilingual programs.
  • Lead classroom management activities including attendance while coordinating lesson plan delivery for consumer science, physics and mathematics classes.
  • Maintain effective classroom management contracts and apply advanced math teaching strategies in middle and high school align with common core standards.
  • Substitute teach throughout the district grades k-5.
  • Attend necessary CPR and child care trainings.
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Instructional paraprofessional example responsibilities.

  • Help ESL students achieve their academic goals while they learn a new language and adapt to a new community and culture.
  • Assist students with their educational needs in language arts, mathematics, social students and science.
  • Carry out behavior intervention techniques and ABA.
  • Provide administration and care of ABA and discrete trial training.
  • Verify the appropriate process and procedures that are necessary to fulfill IEP objectives.
  • Create a sensory chair to encourage a pre-k scholar to remain seat during the day.
  • Show more

Substitute teacher vs instructional paraprofessional skills

Common substitute teacher skills
  • Kids, 19%
  • Math, 15%
  • Help Support, 14%
  • Language Arts, 12%
  • ESL, 12%
  • Social Studies, 12%
Common instructional paraprofessional skills
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • IEP, 7%
  • English Language, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Educational Materials, 5%

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