Special Education Teachers, Preschool vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary: Who Earns More?
Special Education Teachers, Preschool out-earn Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Special Education Teachers, Preschool land at $64,830 and Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary at $36,780. The education gap is real: special education teachers, preschool programs typically require bachelor's degree, while teaching assistants, except postsecondary programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Special Education Teachers, Preschool is Massachusetts ($99,070); for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary it's Washington ($49,120).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Special Education Teachers, Preschool median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Special Education Teachers, Preschool or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn more nationally. The median is $64,830 for Special Education Teachers, Preschool versus $36,780 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Special Education Teachers, Preschool or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Special Education Teachers, Preschool has the better 10-year outlook at 1.4% projected growth, compared to -1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Special Education Teachers, Preschool or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Special Education Teachers, Preschool typically requires bachelor's degree. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Special Education Teachers, Preschool get paid the most?
Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Special Education Teachers, Preschool at $99,070/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Special Education Teachers, Preschool vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn $99,070 vs. $39,380 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.