As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Special Needs Assistant in the US is $31,509, equivalent to $15 per hour, $606 weekly, or $2,626 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Special Needs Assistant in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for Special Needs Assistant in the US vary widely, spanning from $26,252 to $36,942. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($28,757) and 75th percentile ($34,353), while top earners (90th percentile) make $36,942 per year. This $5,596 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Time Management or Laundry, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia Special Needs Assistant often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 42 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
Special Needs Assistant Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile Special Needs Assistant Salary $26,252 US January 01, 2026
25th Percentile Special Needs Assistant Salary $28,757 US January 01, 2026
50th Percentile Special Needs Assistant Salary $31,509 US January 01, 2026
75th Percentile Special Needs Assistant Salary $34,353 US January 01, 2026
90th Percentile Special Needs Assistant Salary $36,942 US January 01, 2026
25% $28,757 10% $26,252 90% $36,942 75% $34,353 $31,509 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
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Family Outreach Center for Understanding Special Needs, Inc. (FOCUS) - EAGLE RIVER, AK

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Special Needs Assistant

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Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
28757
34353
31509

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
37725
45649
41260
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Special Needs Assistant in the United States. The base salary for Special Needs Assistant ranges from $28,757 to $34,353 with the average base salary of $31,509. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $37,725 to $45,649 with the average total cash compensation of $41,260.

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28757
34353

 

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