Teaching Assistants, Special Education

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Teaching Assistants, Special Education does

Teaching assistants work under special education teachers to support students with disabilities or learning differences in classroom and one-on-one settings. They help implement individualized education plans and assist with personal care, academic tasks, and behavior management.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.

Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $63,970/yr
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $72,040/yr
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
• Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $41,670/yr
• Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $38,140/yr