Research Summary. The Zippia data team has compiled average salary estimates for various student assistant roles across the U.S. by analyzing a mix of public government data, corporate information, and thousands of job postings. This analysis identifies the highest-paying types of student assistant positions based on their average annual salaries.
Below is a summary of our findings regarding the top-paying student assistant roles:
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Advising Assistant ranks as the highest-paid student assistant, boasting an average salary of $42,453 and an hourly rate of $20.41.
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Coming in second is the Assistant, with an average annual salary of $37,363.
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The overall average salary for student assistants is $25,439 per year, equating to an hourly wage of $12.23.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be challenging, and while salary is not the sole factor to consider, it plays a crucial role. Understanding which student assistant positions offer the highest pay can help you strategize your career growth effectively.
Here are the top salaries for different student assistant roles:
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Advising Assistant
Average Salary: $42,453
An advising assistant collaborates with school or university counselors, focusing primarily on the mental well-being of students. Responsibilities include documenting counseling sessions, providing administrative support, and assisting with psychological assessments. A degree in psychology is often preferred, along with strong communication and organizational skills.
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Assistant
Average Salary: $37,363
An assistant intern manages various administrative and clerical tasks assigned by management. Duties include maintaining meeting records, answering calls, assisting with report writing and data entry, supporting business events, and adhering to organizational policies. Effective time management, multitasking, and communication skills are vital for success in this role.
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Graduate Student Assistant
Average Salary: $37,164
Graduate student assistants support university faculty in various capacities, including teaching and research. Their responsibilities include administrative assistance, organizing events, and conducting research. Compensation is typically in the form of a stipend, which provides relevant experience and enhances their future job prospects.
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Instructional Assistant
Average Salary: $32,170
Instructional assistants support teachers and faculty members by managing classroom environments, creating educational materials, preparing laboratory equipment, grading assignments, and maintaining schedules. They may also lead short lessons or tutorial sessions when teachers are unavailable and handle various administrative tasks.
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Special Education Instructional Assistant
Average Salary: $32,025
A special education instructional assistant works under the supervision of school principals and other administrative staff, focusing on student progress. Their duties include preparing instructional materials, conducting exams, and guiding students on academic and career paths.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various student assistant positions, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Student Assistants
Methodology
Zippia utilizes publicly available data from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to generate salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for updated salary information for student assistants.
The team calculates a weighted average salary for each job title based on the collected data. For detailed insights into our salary estimation process, please refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Student Assistant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid student assistant job?
The highest-paid student assistant job is an advising assistant. Advising Assistants earn an average salary of $42,453, which translates to $20.41 per hour.
Advising assistants collaborate with school or university counselors, primarily focusing on student mental health. Their responsibilities include documenting counseling sessions, providing clerical support, and assisting with psychological assessments. A degree in psychology is often preferred, alongside strong communication and organizational skills.
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What is a good salary for a student assistant?
A good salary for a student assistant is $25,439 or higher. Since the average student assistant salary is $25,439, those earning this amount or more are considered to be receiving above-average compensation.
However, salaries can vary widely based on location, as companies adjust their pay scales according to the cost of living. It’s essential to research local salaries for your expertise and experience to gain a clearer understanding of your pay.
Additionally, if you are new to the role of a student assistant, be aware that entry-level salaries may be lower than the average, so the $25,439 figure includes all skill levels.
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Do Student Assistant jobs pay well?
Generally, student assistant jobs do not offer high pay. While some positions may pay better than others, the average salary of $25,439 is significantly below the national average salary of around $44,225 per year.
That said, many student assistant roles have potential for higher earnings, with the top 10% earning significantly more.
It’s important to note that salaries for student assistants can fluctuate based on experience, industry, and location. Conduct thorough research on the prevailing rates in your area and be prepared to negotiate your salary.
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Where do student assistants get paid the most?
Student assistants earn the highest salaries in Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, the average annual salary for student assistants is $29,519, equating to an hourly wage of $14.19.
The states following Rhode Island for student assistant salaries include New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York, with average salaries of $28,869, $28,716, and $28,716, respectively.
Here are the cities where student assistants receive the highest pay:
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Albany, NY – $29,037
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Hoboken, NJ – $28,929
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Santa Barbara, CA – $28,886
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Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
