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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Education Teaching Assistant in California is $73,736 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.
However, a Special Education Teaching Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Special Education Teaching Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $83,169 | $6,931 | $1,599 | $40 |
| Average | $73,736 | $6,145 | $1,418 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,845 | $5,154 | $1,189 | $30 |
KIPP SoCal Public Schools - Los Angeles, CA
KIPP - San Diego, CA
Santa Rosa City School District - Santa Rosa, CA
Mt. Diablo Unified School District - Concord, CA
A Special Education Teaching 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
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 Education Teaching Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Special Education Teaching Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 0% above the average. Conversely, Special Education Teaching Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Special Education Teaching Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|
Understanding how a Special Education Teaching 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $83,169 | $6,931 | $1,599 | $40 |
| Average | $73,736 | $6,145 | $1,418 | $35 |
| 25th Percentile | $61,845 | $5,154 | $1,189 | $30 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Special Education Teaching Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
KIPP
Los Angeles, CA
KIPP | Los Angeles, CA
Special Education Assistant. KIPP SoCal Public Schools is a network of 24 high-performing, college-preparatory public charter schools. We educate more than... more
7 Days Ago
Santa Rosa City School District
Santa Rosa, CA
Santa Rosa City School District | Santa Rosa, CA
Paraprofessional. Additional other duties as assigned related to emergency, crisis and/or pandemic. Must pass Paraprofessional exam before employment offer... more
7 Days Ago
Palo Alto Unified School District
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Unified School District | Palo Alto, CA
Job Title. Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, assist students with mental and physical disabilities to attain vocational, community, communicat... more
7 Days Ago
McCabe Union Elementary School District
El Centro, CA
McCabe Union Elementary School District | El Centro, CA
Job Title. Under the general supervision of an Administrator or Designee, assist certificated teacher in the monitoring and instruction of individual or sm... more
7 Days Ago
John Adams Academy
Roseville, CA
John Adams Academy | Roseville, CA
Special Education Instructional Aide/Paraprofessional. John Adams Academies, Inc. operates Northern California's only tuition-free, TK-12 American Classica... more
7 Days Ago
Help Group
Los Angeles, CA
Help Group | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. If you are driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in your community and shape brighter futures, Help Group is... more
7 Days Ago
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