Profession · Full profile

Teacher Assistant

Works with a licensed teacher to give students extra help, supervision and small-group instruction.

Average salary

$36,780

Salary range

$27,150 – $50,040

Training time

2 years of college

Job market

Little or no change

4/10

Work-life balance

Good

7/10

A teacher assistant works alongside a licensed teacher to give students extra attention and instruction. Typical duties are reviewing lessons with students one-on-one or in small groups, supervising children in hallways, lunchrooms, playgrounds and on field trips, helping with attendance and grading, and preparing materials. Many assistants, often called paraprofessionals or paraeducators, work with special education students, adapting lessons and helping with basic needs such as eating. Teacher assistants are counted under teaching assistants, except postsecondary; the figures on this page cover that whole group, from preschool through high school. The group holds 1,463,000 jobs and earns a median annual wage of $36,780. Employment is projected to show little or no change over the next decade, with about 176,200 openings each year.

A workday

A day in the life

What does a workday really look like?

An assistant in a second-grade classroom runs reading groups, helps with math, covers lunch and recess duty and manages the bus line.

7:30 AM - 7:50 AM
Morning bus duty
Meets students as they get off the buses, keeps the line orderly and walks them to class.
7:50 AM - 8:10 AM
Plan the day with the teacher
Goes over which students need extra help today and gets the materials for each lesson ready.
8:10 AM - 9:40 AM
Small-group reading support
Reads with groups of three or four students, reviews phonics and checks comprehension while the teacher teaches others.
9:40 AM - 10:30 AM
Math centers and one-on-one help
Walks between math stations and sits with students who are stuck on the morning's concept.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Attendance, grading and copies
Enters attendance, scores worksheets with the answer key and copies materials for the afternoon.
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Lunch and recess supervision
Supervises the cafeteria and playground, settles disputes and enforces school rules on behavior and safety.
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Own lunch break
A break, often duty-free only after the students are back in class.
12:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Afternoon lessons and student observation
Reads aloud, helps with science and writing activities, and notes which students struggle for the teacher.
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Dismissal and classroom reset
Helps students pack up, supervises the bus line and tidies and labels materials for tomorrow.

Task breakdown

An assistant assigned to students with disabilities supports them in a general classroom in the morning and helps with life skills and personal care in a separate classroom.

7:45 AM - 8:15 AM
Arrival and morning routine
Meets students at the bus, helps with coats and backpacks, and runs a predictable start-of-day routine.
8:15 AM - 8:30 AM
Check-in with special education teacher
Reviews each student's goals, behavior plans and any changes from parents or therapists.
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Support in a general classroom
Sits with one student during a regular class, breaking tasks into steps and adapting material to how they learn.
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Record progress and behavior data
Logs how each student did on assigned goals so the teacher can track progress.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Life skills lesson
Practices everyday skills such as handling money, following a schedule or job tasks for older students.
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Help with lunch and feeding
Assists students who need help eating and supervises them in the cafeteria.
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch break
A short break while another staff member covers the classroom.
12:45 PM - 2:30 PM
Personal care and afternoon activities
Helps with hygiene and transfers, which can mean lifting students, then leads calm activities and sensory breaks.
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Dismissal and notes home
Gets students safely onto buses or to parents and fills in daily communication notes.

Salary data

What do you really earn?

Salary by experience, sector and region.

Minimum

$27,150

Average

$36,780

Maximum

$50,040

Salary by region

Region	Min	Avg.	Max
National	$27,150	$36,780	$50,040
California	$37,240	$46,490	$59,520
New York	$32,240	$38,240	$54,990
Texas	$22,480	$29,850	$42,520
Illinois	$31,200	$36,990	$48,100
New Jersey	$32,220	$37,290	$49,580

Typical benefits

A school-day schedule

Hours follow the school day, with no nights or weekends, and many assistants do not work during the summer.

Low barrier to entry

Two years of college, an associate degree or a passed assessment is enough for most public school jobs, with no prior work experience required.

Public-sector employer

Most jobs are with local public schools, where full-time staff typically get health coverage and a public pension plan. Part-time assistants often get fewer benefits.

A tested route into teaching

Working in classrooms shows you whether teaching suits you, and assistants can become licensed teachers with more education.

Meaningful daily impact

Assistants often know individual students best and see the results of one-on-one help directly.

Pathways

Education pathways

Which paths lead to this profession?

Associate degree

2 years full time

Associate degree for teacher assistants or in education

Public schools typically want at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate degree; Title I schools also accept a passed state or local assessment. Teacher assistant programs teach how to develop educational materials, observe students and work with classroom teachers.

Costs: About $4,150 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public two-year college
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent.
High school subjects: English, mathematics, psychology, child development

Certificate

One test session of 2.5 hours (90 multiple-choice questions)

State or local assessment, such as the ETS ParaPro

Schools with a federal Title I program require assistants to have a 2-year degree, 2 years of college, or a passing score on a state or local assessment. Many states and districts use the ETS ParaPro Assessment for this. Most states also require assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test.

Costs: ETS fee $55 at a test center; some centers add their own fee
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; the passing score is set by each state or district, and rules vary.
High school subjects: Exam topics: Reading, writing, mathematics, applying these skills in classroom instruction

Bachelor's degree

4 years full time

Bachelor's degree in education or psychology

Not required, but some assistants hold one. A bachelor's degree plus a state teaching license is the route to becoming a kindergarten, elementary, middle, high school or special education teacher.

Costs: About $11,950 a year in average published tuition and fees at a public four-year college for in-state students
Entry requirements: High school diploma or equivalent and admission to a college or university.
High school subjects: English, mathematics, psychology, science, social studies

Certificate

A few hours, in a classroom or blended online format

CPR and first aid certification

Some jobs require certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid, particularly in childcare centers and special education classrooms. Courses from the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association are widely accepted, and certificates are valid for 2 years.

Costs: Varies by provider and location
Entry requirements: None.
High school subjects: Training topics: CPR, choking response, basic first aid

Profile

Skills & personality

Is this a good fit for you?

Hard skills

Small-group and one-on-one instructionReviewing lessons the teacher introduced, reading aloud and explaining concepts in a different way when a student is stuck.
Behavior managementApplying school and class rules consistently and calming conflicts in the classroom, cafeteria and playground.
Observing and recording progressWatching how students perform, recording data and giving the teacher clear feedback.
Special education supportAdapting material to a student's learning style and helping with basic needs such as eating and personal hygiene.
Recordkeeping and lesson preparationTaking attendance, calculating grades, and getting equipment and materials ready before lessons.
Classroom technologyUsing office software and classroom computers, and helping students use educational programs.

Soft skills

PatienceStaying calm and understanding with students of different abilities and backgrounds, all day long.
Clear communicationDiscussing student progress concisely with teachers and, when asked, with parents.
TeamworkWorking under a teacher's direction and coordinating closely with therapists, administrators and other aides.
ResourcefulnessFinding a new way to explain something when the first approach does not work for a student.

Is this a good fit for you?

✓
EmpathyUnderstanding why a child is frustrated or withdrawn makes it easier to help them get back on track.
✓
Self-controlStudents test limits; assistants need to stay calm and consistent when behavior gets difficult.
✓
OptimismProgress can be slow, especially in special education, and a positive outlook keeps students motivated.
✓
CooperationThe teacher leads the class, so assistants need to support someone else's plan rather than run their own.
✓
IntegrityAssistants handle private information about students and families and must keep it confidential.

Market

Job market & outlook

What does the market look like?

Openings per year

176,200

Trend

Stable

Growth

-0.3%

AI impact

3/10

AI tools can help with grading, attendance records, worksheet preparation and practice exercises. The core of the job, supervising children, working with them face to face and providing physical and personal care, is hard to automate.

Regional demand

California

About 177,140 jobs; median pay $46,490 a year.

5/10

New York

About 137,820 jobs; median pay $38,240 a year.

8/10

Texas

About 108,960 jobs; median pay $29,850 a year.

4/10

Illinois

About 64,210 jobs; median pay $36,990 a year.

6/10

New Jersey

About 55,580 jobs; median pay $37,290 a year.

7/10

Growth

Career paths

Where can this profession take you?

Vertical growth

Teacher assistant or classroom aide
0-2 years
Supports a teacher with small groups, supervision, materials and recordkeeping.
Special education or lead paraprofessional
2-5 years
Works with students with disabilities on individual goals, or takes on more responsibility in a program or childcare center.
Licensed teacher
4+ years including a bachelor's degree
With a bachelor's degree and a state license or certification, assistants can become kindergarten, elementary, middle or high school teachers.
Special education teacher
4+ years including a bachelor's degree
Assistants with special education experience can train and get licensed to lead their own special education classroom.

Horizontal move

Substitute teacher
Assistants who want to run a classroom on their own can substitute, often with flexible days.
View Substitute Teacher
Tutor
Small-group and one-on-one teaching skills transfer directly to tutoring for schools, companies or private clients.
Adult education teacher
Assistants who prefer older learners can move into teaching adults basic skills, high school equivalency or English.

Good to know

Practical info

Working hours: Most work full time during school hours, although part-time work is common. Some monitor students on buses before and after school. Many do not work during the summer, while some work in year-round schools or summer school.
Remote work: Not possible. The job is in the classroom, and 79% of workers report working very close to other people.
Physical requirements: Moderate to high. Assistants are on their feet, spend time outside at recess and bus duty, and in special education may lift students, which carries a risk of strains.
Typical employers: Local public elementary and secondary schools (72% of jobs), child daycare services (10%) and private elementary and secondary schools (9%).
Professional associations: The two big school unions both represent assistants: the American Federation of Teachers through its Paraprofessionals and School-Related Personnel (PSRP) division, and the National Education Association through its Education Support Professionals (ESP) members.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much do teacher assistants make in the US?

Teacher assistants earn a median annual wage of $36,780. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $27,150 and the top 10% more than $50,040. Pay for this job is reported only as an annual figure, because many assistants do not work during the summer. Pay varies a lot by state: Washington has the highest median at $49,120, while Texas, one of the largest employers, has $29,850.

What qualifications do you need to be a teacher assistant?

Public schools typically want at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate degree, and in schools with a federal Title I program a passing score on a state or local assessment, such as the ETS ParaPro, also qualifies. Exact rules are set by states and districts. Most states also require a skills test for working with special-needs students, and some jobs require CPR and first aid certification.

Is a teacher assistant the same as a paraprofessional?

Yes, in most US schools the two titles describe the same job. Teacher assistants are also called teacher aides, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, education assistants and paraeducators. Districts often use paraprofessional for assistants who work with special education students, and the federal Title I rules use the term for instructional assistants in those schools.

Do teacher assistants get paid in the summer?

Usually not for summer work, because many teacher assistants do not work during the summer break. Some work in year-round schools or help teachers in summer school. The job's median pay is reported as an annual figure, $36,780, rather than an hourly rate. Ask the district whether pay is spread over 12 months or only paid during the school year.

Is teacher assistant a good career?

It is a good job for school hours and a way into teaching, but pay is modest and growth is flat. Employment is projected to show little or no change over the next decade, with about 176,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who leave. Jobs also depend on school budgets: districts may cut assistant positions in a shortfall and hire more in a surplus.

Which states pay teacher assistants the most?

Washington has the highest median wage for teacher assistants at $49,120, followed by the District of Columbia at $46,920 and Maine at $46,750. California has the most jobs, 177,140, with a median of $46,490. New York and New Jersey have a much higher share of these jobs than the national average, with location quotients of 1.56 and 1.42.

Can a teacher assistant become a teacher?

Yes, teacher assistants can become teachers after completing more education and getting a state license or certification. That usually means finishing a bachelor's degree and a teacher preparation program. Common advancement paths are kindergarten and elementary, middle, high school and special education teaching. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers earn a median of $63,820.

Explore further

Related professions

In depth

All about teacher assistant

The background, context and details.

One job, many titles

Teacher assistants fall under occupation 25-9045, teaching assistants, except postsecondary, which covers preschool through high school but not graduate teaching assistants at colleges. The group holds 1,463,000 jobs. In job ads you will see the same work posted as teacher aide, instructional aide, classroom aide, paraprofessional, paraeducator, educational assistant or kindergarten assistant. The common thread is that a licensed teacher is responsible for the lesson plan and the assistant helps carry it out: reviewing material with students individually or in small groups, supervising students outside the classroom, keeping records and preparing materials. Local public schools employ 72% of assistants, child daycare services 10% and private schools 9%.

General education versus special education

The biggest split in the job is between general classroom support and special education. In a general classroom, an assistant typically runs reading or math groups, helps the students who fall behind, covers lunch and recess duty and handles copying, attendance and grading. Some assistants have a narrow role, such as running a computer lab or supervising the cafeteria.

Special education assistants work with students who have disabilities. When those students attend regular classes, the assistant helps them understand the material and adapts it to their learning style. In separate classrooms for students with severe disabilities, the work includes basic needs such as eating and personal hygiene, and with older students, skills for finding a job or living independently after graduation. Most states require assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test. This work is more physical: lifting and assisting special education students puts assistants at risk of injuries such as strains. In childcare centers, assistants work with a lead teacher on educational activities, play supervision, feeding and other basic care.

Pay and the school calendar

The median annual wage is $36,780, and the middle half of assistants earn between $31,060 and $45,360. Pay for this occupation is reported only as an annual figure, which reflects the school-year schedule: many assistants do not work during the summer, though some work in year-round schools or summer school. Most work full time, but part-time work is common. Pay depends heavily on the state. Washington ($49,120), the District of Columbia ($46,920) and Maine ($46,750) have the highest medians, and California, with the most jobs, pays a median of $46,490. Texas, with 108,960 jobs, has a median of $29,850. Official wage data do not break pay down by years of experience, so district salary schedules are the best guide to how pay rises over time.

What schools look for when hiring

Check the education rule first. Public schools generally want at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate degree, Title I schools accept a passing score on a state or local assessment as an alternative, and exact rules are set by states and districts. Many districts use the ETS ParaPro Assessment for that purpose. On your application, highlight any experience with children: tutoring, coaching, camp counseling, babysitting, religious education or volunteering in a classroom. Mention CPR and first aid certification if you have it, since some jobs require it, and any experience with children with disabilities if you are applying for special education roles. Interviewers often ask how you would handle a student who refuses to work or disrupts the class, so prepare a concrete example. Communication skills, interpersonal skills, patience and resourcefulness are key qualities, and those are what a principal and lead teacher will try to judge in a short interview.

The honest downsides

Pay is the biggest drawback. The median of $36,780 is close to that of childcare workers ($34,980), even though many public school jobs ask for two years of college or a passed assessment, and summer months are often unpaid. Employment is projected to show little or no change over the next decade, and positions depend on district budgets: schools may be more likely to eliminate assistant positions when money is short and to hire when there is a surplus. The work is intense: 92% of assistants are in constant contact with others, and special education roles bring lifting, personal care and challenging behavior. Assistants also have limited authority: the teacher decides the plan, and the assistant carries it out. The upside is a family-friendly schedule and a real view of whether teaching is the right career before you invest in a full degree and license.