Job prospects Special Education Assistant in Ontario

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "special education assistant" in Ontario or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Ontario

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100) in Ontario for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

What Types of Employers Are Out There?

• Nearly all employed in elementary and secondary schools.

What are the Main Trends Affecting Employment?

• Demand strongly influenced by population size and student registration
• In the near term, enrolment is expected to increase in elementary and secondary schools
• Changes to annual funding amounts can affect employment prospects in school boards
• Investments made in support of students with special needs may lead to job openings for teaching assistants with this specialization

What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?

• Completion of the Behaviour Management Systems certification and experience with assistive technology may be assets in securing employment
• Educational Assistant is a voluntary skilled trade in Ontario.

Here are some key facts about Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants in Ontario:

• Approximately 34,350 people work in this occupation.
• Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations
• 17% of elementary and secondary school teacher assistants work all year, while 83% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 38 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.
• Less than 5% of elementary and secondary school teacher assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 10% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 90% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 56% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 19% compared to 24% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Ontario by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "special education assistant" Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100) or across Canada.

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