Compensation
Median Pay
$36,780
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$36,780
Projected Growth
-1.5%
Annual Openings
170,400
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
1,422,800
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
-1.5%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
170,400
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Some college, no degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Interpersonal
89 / 100
89%
Creativity & innovation
87 / 100
87%
Adaptability
76 / 100
76%
Project management
73 / 100
73%
Science
64 / 100
64%
Mathematics
62 / 100
62%
Physical strength & stamina
60 / 100
60%
Writing & reading
60 / 100
60%
Customer service
51 / 100
51%
Speaking & listening
51 / 100
51%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Teaching assistants, except postsecondary a Good Career?
Teaching assistants, except postsecondary, support educational environments across the country, with national employment of 1,423,000. This is a large occupation with a broad presence in many types of learning settings. The role is accessible to people who have some college but no degree, which can make it an option for students, career changers, or those exploring education-related work without completing a full degree program. Nationally, the median annual salary is $35,240, and compensation and opportunities vary by state and metro area. Strong interpersonal, speaking and listening, and writing and reading skills are central to this path, alongside adaptability, creativity and innovation, and project management. Skills in science, mathematics, and physical strength and stamina can also contribute to success. While projected employment growth is -1.5%, there are still many positions, and the role continues to provide a pathway into the education field and related occupations such as teaching or other educational support roles.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary
Teaching assistants, except postsecondary, earn a national median annual salary of $35,240. Pay varies by location, and some states and metro areas offer higher median wages. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $49,120 and California $46,490, both above the national median. Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado show median salaries of $39,380, $38,240, and $35,760, respectively. At the metro level, several areas stand out for higher compensation: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports a median salary of $49,360, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $49,010, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $46,200. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $38,890, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $40,930. These differences highlight how local labor markets can shape earning potential for this occupation.
Job Outlook for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
Teaching assistants, except postsecondary, represent a sizable workforce, with national employment of 1,423,000. Projected employment growth for this occupation is -1.5%, indicating a modest decline over the projection period. Even with this negative growth rate, there are still 170,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect a combination of factors such as turnover, retirements, and other job changes, in addition to any net change in overall employment levels. For someone considering this career, the combination of large existing employment and substantial annual openings suggests that positions continue to become available over time, even as overall employment is projected to edge downward. Job seekers may want to pay close attention to local conditions, since the national growth rate is the same across all listed states and metro areas, but employment levels and opportunity scores differ by region.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for teaching assistants, except postsecondary. Among states, California shows the highest employment with 177,140 positions and a median salary of $46,490, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York also has substantial employment at 137,820 and a median salary of $38,240, with an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts combines a median salary of $39,380 with 39,210 employed and an opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington present smaller employment totals—21,910 and 43,420 respectively—but Washington in particular stands out for a median salary of $49,120. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27, with median salaries of $49,010 and $38,890 and employment of 7,240 and 126,920. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also rank highly by opportunity score, with differing balances of pay and job counts.
Education for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
The typical education for teaching assistants, except postsecondary, is some college with no degree. This makes the role accessible to individuals who have started college coursework or are interested in education but have not completed a degree program. Because no specific degree is listed as typical, this path can appeal to people exploring education-related work while still in school or evaluating longer-term options such as teaching or other educational occupations. Success in this career draws on a combination of interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and writing and reading. Adaptability and creativity and innovation support working in varied classroom or learning environments, while project management skills can help in organizing tasks and activities. Additional strengths in science and mathematics, along with physical strength and stamina, can be relevant depending on the setting. Customer service skills also matter, reflecting the service-oriented nature of working with students, families, and education professionals.
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