How to become teaching assistants, special educationeducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★☆☆

Median annual pay

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National statistics

Top pay (est.)

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Top 10% —

Pay in 5 years

—est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

—est.

—

Outlook score

67/100

★★★☆☆ Good

AI replacement risk

22%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

—

BLS projections

How to become teaching assistants, special education

Typical education

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BLS

Related experience

—

On-the-job training

—

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Key skills

Learning Strategies

3.6

Reading Comprehension

3.5

Critical Thinking

3.5

Active Listening

3.4

Social Perceptiveness

3.4

Monitoring

3.2

Speaking

3.2

Service Orientation

3.1

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Psychology

3.5

English Language

3.3

Customer and Personal Service

3.3

Geography

3.0

Mathematics

3.0

Therapy and Counseling

3.0

Philosophy and Theology

2.7

Computers and Electronics

2.6

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsAssisting and Caring for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersCoaching and Developing OthersMaking Decisions and Solving Problems

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionOral ExpressionNear VisionProblem SensitivitySpeech RecognitionWritten Expression

Education of workers

High school diploma

25%

Some college

18%

Associate's degree

14%

Master's degree

Training before entry

1–2 years

3–6 months

Related work experience

6–12 months

27%

1–3 months

26%

1–2 years

3–6 months

Up to 1 month

Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as teaching assistants, special education

Career-path guidance is being prepared.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.	$63,970	46/100	28%
2	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	$72,040	45/100	36%
3	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.	$64,370	40/100	45%
4	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.	$41,670	49/100	39%
5	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.	$38,140	62/100	16%
6	Self-Enrichment Teachers Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.	$46,800	61/100	22%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS; Employment Projections); O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.