Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is some college, no degree.
Job outlook for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 1,463,000 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 1,458,000 in 2035, a decrease of 5,000 jobs (-0.3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 176,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 12.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $36,780, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary earn the most
Across the 31 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $27,949 in Georgia to $49,279 in Washington, a gap of $21,331 (1.76 times). 15 of those 31 states average above the BLS national median of $36,780 and 16 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 178,640, which is 10.6% of the 1,689,280 counted across them. California follows with 175,580.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($49,279), California ($46,469) and District of Columbia ($46,200) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($27,949) and South Carolina ($27,986) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary: pay against the cost of living
We compare 57 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $18,126. The weakest market is Kings County, NY, where the basics cost $9,042 more than take-home pay.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 49 of the 57 markets and falls short in 8. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 33.3% and 102.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-9000) include Instructional Coordinators.
Frequently asked questions about Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
What is the national median wage for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $36,780. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $27,949 to $49,279.
Which state pays Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $49,279. California is next at $46,469.
What is the job outlook for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 176,200 openings a year.
What education do Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary need?
The typical entry-level education is some college, no degree, according to BLS.
Where can Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $18,126 on a median wage of $46,200.