Paraeducators: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of paraeducators about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for paraeducators to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of paraeducators expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for paraeducators.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Paraeducators?
Do paraeducators need a degree? What kind of experience do paraeducators typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for paraeducators to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Paraeducators
Jobs Postings for Paraeducators By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 44,905 (39%)
- No Education Listed: 32,843 (29%)
- Master's degree: 17,596 (15%)
- High School or GED: 15,837 (14%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 2,555 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of paraeducators. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 39% of positions. In 29% of job listings no education level was listed and in 15% of postings a master's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Paraeducators
Jobs Postings for Paraeducators By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 18,651 (58%)
- 2-3 Years: 9,360 (29%)
- 4-6 Years: 3,002 (9%)
- 7-9 Years: 434 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 636 (2%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for paraeducators. In 58% of job postings for Paraeducators, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 29% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 9% of job postings for paraeducators.
What Kind of Degree Do Paraeducators Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for paraeducators, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 19 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective paraeducators, and in 2023 a total of 58,654 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective paraeducators.
Top Degree Programs for Paraeducators
Top 5 Degree Programs for Paraeducators (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching, General. | 22,620 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 12,748 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching. | 6,779 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Special Education and Teaching, General. | 22,620 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 12,748 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching. | 6,779 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | 6,310 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. | 2,396 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities. | 1,354 |
| Special Education and Teaching, Other. | 1,237 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,231 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other. | 1,147 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism. | 1,118 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities. | 535 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness. | 348 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments. | 244 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness. | 193 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances. | 139 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed. | 114 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. | 80 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries. | 57 |
| Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments. | 4 |
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Degree Options for Paraeducators
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- Class Type: Online coursework
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Class Type: 100% online
- Years To Complete: 3
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Paraeducators Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by paraeducators to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for paraeducators, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Paraeducators
Based on 96,850 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Paraeducators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 65,673 | 68% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 35,214 | 36% |
| Lesson Planning | 12,241 | 13% |
| Disabilities | 10,469 | 11% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 8,967 | 9% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Paraeducators
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 41,512 | 43% |
| Communication | 33,276 | 34% |
| Planning | 14,820 | 15% |
| Writing | 13,114 | 14% |
| Management | 11,026 | 11% |
Based on 96,850 job postings related to paraeducators, special education was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 68% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for individualized education programs (iep), lesson planning, disabilities, autism spectrum disorders and classroom management were also highly sought.
As for common skills, teaching was the most desired skill found in job postings for paraeducators, followed by communication, planning, writing, management and english language.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education | 65,673 | 68% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 35,214 | 36% |
| Lesson Planning | 12,241 | 13% |
| Disabilities | 10,469 | 11% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 8,967 | 9% |
| Classroom Management | 8,121 | 8% |
| Behavior Management | 6,947 | 7% |
| Curriculum Development | 6,033 | 6% |
| Student Services | 5,743 | 6% |
| Toileting | 5,606 | 6% |
| Instructional Strategies | 5,578 | 6% |
| Learning Styles | 5,312 | 5% |
| Working With Children | 5,302 | 5% |
| Educational Assessment | 4,849 | 5% |
| Data Collection | 4,721 | 5% |
| Psychology | 4,643 | 5% |
| Child Development | 3,859 | 4% |
| Office Equipment | 3,789 | 4% |
| Intervention Plans | 3,740 | 4% |
| Learning Disabilities | 3,691 | 4% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | 41,512 | 43% |
| Communication | 33,276 | 34% |
| Planning | 14,820 | 15% |
| Writing | 13,114 | 14% |
| Management | 11,026 | 11% |
| English Language | 9,900 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 9,810 | 10% |
| Mathematics | 9,185 | 9% |
| Research | 8,591 | 9% |
| Problem Solving | 7,464 | 8% |
| Leadership | 7,108 | 7% |
| Progress Reporting | 6,008 | 6% |
| Lifting Ability | 4,578 | 5% |
| Coordinating | 4,570 | 5% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 4,354 | 4% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 4,326 | 4% |
| Multilingualism | 4,299 | 4% |
| Coaching | 4,235 | 4% |
| Organizational Skills | 4,161 | 4% |
| Record Keeping | 4,093 | 4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about paraeducators? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for paraeducators.
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.