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The differences between test administrators and para educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a para educator has an average salary of $31,394, which is higher than the $25,904 average annual salary of a test administrator.
The top three skills for a test administrator include exam process, technical issues and test materials. The most important skills for a para educator are behavioral issues, student performance, and IEP.
| Test Administrator | Para Educator | |
| Yearly salary | $25,904 | $31,394 |
| Hourly rate | $12.45 | $15.09 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 68,229 | 56,897 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A test administrator is responsible for observing and monitoring the students during examinations and related assessments. Test administrators discuss the procedures and rules before the test, responding to any inquiries and concerns the examinees may have. They provide the tools and materials needed for the assessment, as well as verifying the identity of each examinee. A test administrator must be highly observant and organizational, strictly implementing regulations and operating testing equipment, and perform troubleshooting for technical issues.
Paraeducators' primary role is to provide students with extra guidance and support outside or inside the classroom. They are also called paraprofessional educators or teaching assistants who are expected to support teachers. In small group activities, they take the lead permitting teachers to help their students in many ways. The necessary skills required include organization, intellectual curiosity, and being calm. They should also be creative, a team player, and knowledgeable. A bachelor's degree in education is also a necessity for this job.
Test administrators and para educators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Test Administrator | Para Educator | |
| Average salary | $25,904 | $31,394 |
| Salary range | Between $20,000 And $33,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | Belmont, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Eli Lilly and Company | Central Valley School District |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a test administrator and a para educator in terms of educational background:
| Test Administrator | Para Educator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between test administrators' and para educators' demographics:
| Test Administrator | Para Educator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3% | Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.2% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.6% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |