Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
Is teaching assistants, except postsecondary a good career?
It scores 27/100 and ranks #172 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 170,400 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($36,780 vs $61,390)
- Employment is projected to decline (-1.5% through 2034)
What teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn between $31,060 and $45,360 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live teaching assistants, except postsecondary jobs
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- Typical education
- Some college, no degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Teacher assistants in public schools need at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate’s degree. Those who work in schools with a Title 1 program (a federal program for schools that have a large proportion of students from low-income households) must have at least a 2-year degree, 2 years of college, or pass a state or local assessment.
Associate’s degree programs for teacher assistants prepare participants to develop educational materials, observe students, and understand the role of teaching assistants in working with classroom teachers.
Some teacher assistants have a bachelor's degree in fields such as education and psychology.
Most states require teacher assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some jobs may require staff to have certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
Advancement
Teacher assistants may become a kindergarten and elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, or special education teacher upon obtaining additional education, training, and a license or certification.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.
Interpersonal skills. Teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult. Teacher assistants must be understanding with students.
Resourcefulness. Teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles.
Related occupations
How much do teaching assistants, except postsecondary make?
The national median wage is $36,780 a year, with the middle half earning between $31,060 and $45,360 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is teaching assistants, except postsecondary a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 27 of 100 and ranks #172 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -1.5% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a teaching assistants, except postsecondary?
The typical entry-level education is some college, no degree.
Where do teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($49,120). Local pay for every state and metro is below.