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Mississippi (MS)
How to become a paraprofessional in Mississippi
Mississippi leaves paraprofessional testing to districts under MDE guidance.
Average annual pay
$23,400
$12.55 / hr
vs. National
-31.7%
below average
Exam path
District
See below
Requirements
Mississippi recognizes the following routes to qualify as a paraprofessional under federal Title I-A requirements and state guidance.
- Associate degree
- District-set requirements
Pay in Mississippi
Paraprofessionals in Mississippi earn an average of $23,400 per year, or about $12.55 per hour. Special Education paraprofessionals typically earn 20–30% above this average, and districts in higher cost-of-living areas within the state pay more than rural districts.
See the full salary report for how Mississippi compares to the rest of the country.
Next steps
- 1. Confirm your route: exam, associate degree, or college credits.
- 2. Complete a background check through your target district.
- 3. Apply for open paraprofessional roles in Mississippi.
- 4. Join the Registry so districts can find you.