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Special Ed Paraprofessional Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Ed Paraprofessional in the United States is $52,273 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $65,317
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,423 to $59,101
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,366
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Special Ed Paraprofessional Salaries

A Special Ed Paraprofessional'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 Paraprofessional Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Special Ed Paraprofessional'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): $51,412
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $52,027
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,625
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,659
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,168
Levels Salary
Entry Level Special Ed Paraprofessional$51,412
Intermediate Level Special Ed Paraprofessional$52,027
Senior Level Special Ed Paraprofessional$54,625
Specialist Level Special Ed Paraprofessional$56,659
Expert Level Special Ed Paraprofessional$57,168
View as Graph

How Do Special Ed Paraprofessional Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Special Ed Paraprofessionals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $57,876.
  • California: $57,657.
  • Massachusetts: $56,888.

Top Paying Cities for Special Ed Paraprofessionals

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: $65,932
  • San Francisco: $65,210
  • Oakland: $63,835

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.08% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Child Development (Mentioned in 1.83% Job Postings): Child development refers to the sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.08%
Child Development 1.83%
Early Childhood Education 1.59%
See More Skills

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 Paraprofessional's salary.

  • LMS: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Applied Behavior Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Goal Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
LMS $56,977
9%
Applied Behavior Analysis $54,886
5%
Goal Oriented $54,364
4%
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Special Ed Paraprofessional Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Special Ed Paraprofessional roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Special Ed Paraprofessional positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Special Ed Paraprofessional as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Special Ed Paraprofessional

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$67,955$33.030%

How Education impacts a Special Ed Paraprofessional's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Special Ed Paraprofessionals enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Paraprofessional with a Bachelor's Degree is between $58,261 and $66,637).

Special Ed Paraprofessional Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Special Ed Paraprofessional
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 2.3%
Associates 3.8%
Bachelors 28.2%
Masters 63.4%
Doctorate 1.1%
View as Graph

Special Ed Paraprofessional Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Special Ed Paraprofessional'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 October 01, 2026
$43,423
Average $52,273/year
$59,101
$3,619
Average $4,356/month
$4,925
$835
Average $1,005/week
$1,137
$21
Average $25/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $59,101 $4,925 $1,137 $28
Average $52,273 $4,356 $1,005 $25
25th Percentile $43,423 $3,619 $835 $21

Most common benefits for Special Ed Paraprofessional

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Special Ed Paraprofessional

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

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FAQ about Special Ed Paraprofessional

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Special Ed Paraprofessional?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Special Ed Paraprofessional roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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