Assist 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.
Teaching Assistants, Special Education
SOC: 25-9043 O*NET: 25-9043.00
Median Salary
N/A
per year
Job Growth
➡️ N/A
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
N/A
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Assist 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.
What does a Teaching Assistants, Special Education do?
How much can you earn?
Limited Data Available: Detailed wage distribution data is not currently available for this occupation.
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Monitoring
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Learning Strategies
60%
#8
Instructing
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Writing
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Monitoring
intermediate3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.0
60%
Instructing
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Writing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Dental Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Dietetic Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Learning Strategies
- →Instructing
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Teaching Assistants, Special Education
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (6)Planning & Development (4)Communication & Coordination (1)Training & Development (5)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Analysis & Evaluation (1)
1
Assist in bus loading and unloading.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Assist librarians in school libraries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Carry out therapeutic regimens, such as behavior modification and personal development programs, under the supervision of special education instructors, psychologists, or speech-language pathologists.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Clean classrooms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination85% perform90%
7
Distribute teaching materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, papers, and pencils, to students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development82% perform88%
8
Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Grade homework and tests, and compute and record results, using answer sheets or electronic marking devices.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Teaching Assistants, Special Education
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Teaching Assistants, Special Education professionals typically have a SCI Holland code
SSocial
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Teaching Assistants, Special Education
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.68
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.66
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.59
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.57
Social Orientation
CriticalSocial Orientation
Importance Level4.55
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.55
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Integrity
4.6
Concern for Others
4.6
Social Orientation
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Attention to Detail
3.9
Persistence
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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