Special Ed Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Special Ed Assistant make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Ed Assistant in the United States is $35,123 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

However, a Special Ed Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $39,675
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $32,644 to $37,506
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $30,387
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View as table View as graph 25% $32,644 10% $30,387 90% $39,675 75% $37,506 $35,123 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Special Ed Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $37,506 $3,125 $721 $18
Average $35,123 $2,927 $675 $17
25th Percentile $32,644 $2,720 $628 $16
Check out Special Ed Assistant Job Openings in the United States
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The Ohio State University - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Special Ed Assistant Salaries

A Special Ed Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Special Ed Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Special Ed Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,467
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $35,715
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,287
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $36,401
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,477
Levels Salary
Entry Level Special Ed Assistant$35,467
Intermediate Level Special Ed Assistant$35,715
Senior Level Special Ed Assistant$36,287
Specialist Level Special Ed Assistant$36,401
Expert Level Special Ed Assistant$36,477
$35,467 0 yr
$35,715 < 2 yrs
$36,287 2-4 yrs
$36,401 5-8 yrs
$36,477 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Special Ed Assistants

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $44,300
  • San Francisco: $43,815
  • Oakland: $42,892

What Skills Can Increase a Special Ed Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.56% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Guest Service (Mentioned in 2.58% Job Postings): Guest services is a division of the hospitality industry. The goal of guest services is to provide customers with an enjoyable experience, primarily in the hotel and spa industry, sports facilities, and event venues.
  • Product Knowledge (Mentioned in 1.47% Job Postings): Product knowledge is the ability to communicate information and answer questions about a product or service. It is considered an important knowledge area for any role that puts you in front of customers, investors or the media.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 25.56%
Guest Service 2.58%
Product Knowledge 1.47%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Special Ed Assistant's salary.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Quality Assurance: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Preventive Maintenance: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination
$40,742
16%
Quality Assurance
$40,040
14%
Preventive Maintenance
$38,284
9%
Agility
$38,284
9%
Honesty and Integrity
$37,933
8%
Team Management
$37,933
8%
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How Education impacts a Special Ed Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Special Ed Assistants enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Special Ed Assistant with a No Diploma is between $30,186 and $32,601).

Special Ed Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Special Ed Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.0%
High School 50.0%
Associates 40.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Special Ed Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Special Ed Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Special Ed Assistant

Salaries for a Special Ed Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $36,835 in 2023 to around $36,918 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Special Ed Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Special Ed Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,835
2024
$37,106
2025
$36,918
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,835
2024 $37,106
2025 $36,918
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Special Ed Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Special Ed Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Special Ed Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Special Ed Assistant Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Special Ed Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • AHS Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    AHS Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Registered Nurse - Emergency Room - Travel | Columbus, Ohio. Estimated Weekly Pay. $1949.24. Start Date. 08/30/2026 |. Duration. 13 Weeks. Shift. 3 x 12hr ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Fusion Medical Staffing-Nursing

    Columbus, OH

    Fusion Medical Staffing-Nursing | Columbus, OH

    Fusion Medical Staffing-Nursing is seeking a travel nurse RN ED - Emergency Department for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requir... more

    6 Days Ago

  • TNAA TotalMed RN

    Columbus, OH

    TNAA TotalMed RN | Columbus, OH

    TNAA TotalMed RN is seeking a travel nurse RN ED - Emergency Department for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requirements Specialt... more

    6 Days Ago

  • GHR Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    GHR Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    GHR Healthcare - PH Division is seeking a travel nurse RN ED - Emergency Department for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requireme... more

    6 Days Ago

  • HPA Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    HPA Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    HPA Healthcare is seeking a travel nurse RN ED - Emergency Department for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requirements Specialty:... more

    6 Days Ago

  • TRS Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    TRS Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    TRS Healthcare is seeking a travel nurse RN ED - Emergency Department for a travel nursing job in Columbus, Ohio. Job Description & Requirements Specialty:... more

    6 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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