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The differences between work-study assistants 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 $25,211 average annual salary of a work-study assistant.
The top three skills for a work-study assistant include financial aid, data entry and customer service. The most important skills for a special education assistant are paraprofessional, behavior management, and IEP.
| Work-Study Assistant | Special Education Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $25,211 | $32,149 |
| Hourly rate | $12.12 | $15.46 |
| Growth rate | -8% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 40,622 | 62,239 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A work-study assistant's responsibilities depend on his/her or her place of employment. His/Her or her duties include processing paperwork, responding to inquiries, and maintaining records. The essential skills that a work-study assistant should possess to accomplish his/her or her responsibilities include good writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills. The education requirements to qualify for the job include obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree in the field of business, psychology, and criminal justice.
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.
Work-study assistants and special education assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Work-Study Assistant | Special Education Assistant | |
| Average salary | $25,211 | $32,149 |
| Salary range | Between $18,000 And $34,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Benicia Unified School District |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a work-study assistant and a special education assistant in terms of educational background:
| Work-Study Assistant | Special Education Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between work-study assistants' and special education assistants' demographics:
| Work-Study Assistant | Special Education Assistant | |
| Average age | 50 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.9% Female, 63.1% | Male, 21.9% Female, 78.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |