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Teacher assistant vs instructional paraprofessional

The differences between teacher assistants and instructional paraprofessionals can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an instructional paraprofessional has an average salary of $31,835, which is higher than the $27,103 average annual salary of a teacher assistant.

The top three skills for a teacher assistant include CPR, child care and mathematics. The most important skills for an instructional paraprofessional are mathematics, instructional materials, and IEP.

Teacher assistant vs instructional paraprofessional overview

Teacher AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Yearly salary$27,103$31,835
Hourly rate$13.03$15.31
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs77,35849,766
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Teacher assistant vs instructional paraprofessional salary

Teacher assistants and instructional paraprofessionals have different pay scales, as shown below.

Teacher AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Average salary$27,103$31,835
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $34,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityCoventry, RINew York, NY
Highest paying stateRhode IslandWashington
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyBoston Public Schools
Best paying industryFinanceHealth Care

Differences between teacher assistant and instructional paraprofessional education

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

Teacher AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNorthwestern University

Teacher assistant vs instructional paraprofessional demographics

Here are the differences between teacher assistants' and instructional paraprofessionals' demographics:

Teacher AssistantInstructional Paraprofessional
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 21.5% Female, 78.5%Male, 20.8% Female, 79.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between teacher assistant and instructional paraprofessional duties and responsibilities

Teacher assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
  • Manage student supervision in various environments including classrooms, halls, cafeterias, schoolyards, gymnasiums, and field trip locations.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Help clients with ADL's.
  • Assist MH/MR clients with ADL's.
  • Substitute teacher grades from k-5.
  • Show more

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

Teacher assistant vs instructional paraprofessional skills

Common teacher assistant skills
  • CPR, 18%
  • Child Care, 14%
  • Mathematics, 10%
  • Art Projects, 7%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 5%
Common instructional paraprofessional skills
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Instructional Materials, 7%
  • IEP, 7%
  • English Language, 6%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Educational Materials, 5%

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