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Special Education Teaching Assistant
💰 Earn $38K-$48K
📚 Bachelor Degree
⏱️ 12–24 Month Training
📈 -1.5% Job Growth
- Make a difference by supporting students with diverse learning needs.
- Help shape inclusive educational experiences and foster student growth.
- Engage in varied tasks, from classroom support to library assistance.
What Special Education Teaching Assistants DoAssist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
- Assist in bus loading and unloading.
- Assist librarians in school libraries.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
- Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
- Clean classrooms.
Special Education Teaching Assistants Education, Salary, and GrowthOnly you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Minimum EducationBachelor Degree
Career ProspectsShaky (Decreasing by 1-5%)
Training Time1 to 2 years
Job Openings170,400 Annually
Median Earnings
$45,460 in California
$35,240 Nationally
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Real Talk Reel
We've curated a playlist for you to get a glimpse into a day in the life of this career.
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
- Relating with or serving others
- Thinking and problem solving
you value
- Accomplishing things
- Having freedom
- Personal relationships
you are skilled in
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Active Learning
- Writing
Go Deeper: Special Education Teaching Assistants Explained
Special Education Teaching AssistantExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?
Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
Post-Bac FellowshipA post-baccalaureate fellowship typically offers recent college graduates the opportunity to gain work experience, conduct research, and further develop their skills in a specific field, enhancing their qualifications for more advanced career opportunities.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 1-3 years
Vocational SchoolA vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
Workforce Development ProgramA workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years
Professional UpskillingProfessional upskilling typically results in acquiring new or enhanced skills and knowledge relevant to a participant's current job or desired career path, leading to improved job performance, opportunities for career advancement, and greater employability.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 1 week - 3 months
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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