Research Summary. Following comprehensive research conducted by the Zippia data science team, we present insights into graduate assistant salaries across the United States for 2026:
-
Massachusetts boasts the highest average graduate assistant salary at $50,237
-
Utah has the lowest average graduate assistant salary at $22,960
-
The national average salary for graduate assistants is $31,704
-
The national hourly wage for graduate assistants stands at $15.24
For further details, please refer to our specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains a paramount factor for job seekers across all demographics; many ask themselves, “What can I expect to earn as a graduate assistant in my region?”
While individual earnings can vary based on a range of factors, we have gathered robust data on average graduate assistant salaries by state, providing a clear picture of what to anticipate based on seniority and location. Although local conditions may differ from state averages, these figures offer a reliable benchmark for potential salaries.
The state with the highest average salary for graduate assistants? That honor goes to Massachusetts.
Here’s a snapshot of the ten states with the highest graduate assistant salaries:
Now, let’s delve into the complete rankings of all the states.
Highest-Paid Graduate Assistants By State
| Rank | State | Average Graduate Assistant Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $50,237 | $20,000 | $122,000 |
| 2 | Maine | $47,649 | $19,000 | $114,000 |
| 3 | New York | $47,325 | $18,000 | $119,000 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $44,472 | $17,000 | $115,000 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $43,780 | $17,000 | $112,000 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $41,352 | $15,000 | $108,000 |
| 7 | Maryland | $39,859 | $14,000 | $107,000 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $38,940 | $15,000 | $97,000 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $37,211 | $14,000 | $95,000 |
| 10 | Vermont | $36,798 | $15,000 | $89,000 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $36,135 | $15,000 | $84,000 |
| 12 | Michigan | $34,468 | $13,000 | $86,000 |
| 13 | Alaska | $34,305 | $15,000 | $76,000 |
| 14 | Indiana | $34,159 | $13,000 | $85,000 |
| 15 | Delaware | $32,617 | $11,000 | $89,000 |
| 16 | Ohio | $32,508 | $12,000 | $84,000 |
| 17 | Colorado | $31,131 | $14,000 | $68,000 |
| 18 | Illinois | $30,995 | $12,000 | $74,000 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $30,903 | $11,000 | $81,000 |
| 20 | Idaho | $30,726 | $14,000 | $64,000 |
| 21 | California | $29,846 | $12,000 | $72,000 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $29,731 | $13,000 | $64,000 |
| 23 | Washington | $29,157 | $13,000 | $61,000 |
| 24 | Virginia | $29,144 | $10,000 | $82,000 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $29,098 | $9,000 | $84,000 |
| 26 | Kansas | $28,905 | $12,000 | $68,000 |
| 27 | South Dakota | $28,118 | $13,000 | $59,000 |
| 28 | South Carolina | $27,834 | $9,000 | $83,000 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $27,784 | $9,000 | $84,000 |
| 30 | Texas | $27,470 | $9,000 | $79,000 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $27,437 | $13,000 | $55,000 |
| 32 | West Virginia | $27,284 | $10,000 | $73,000 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $27,271 | $11,000 | $67,000 |
| 34 | Montana | $27,218 | $13,000 | $54,000 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $26,143 | $9,000 | $70,000 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $25,949 | $8,000 | $75,000 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $25,807 | $12,000 | $53,000 |
| 38 | Georgia | $25,783 | $8,000 | $76,000 |
| 39 | Nevada | $25,694 | $10,000 | $60,000 |
| 40 | Oregon | $25,655 | $11,000 | $56,000 |
| 41 | Missouri | $25,620 | $10,000 | $61,000 |
| 42 | Florida | $25,617 | $7,000 | $86,000 |
| 43 | Alabama | $24,842 | $8,000 | $72,000 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $24,819 | $9,000 | $62,000 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $24,757 | $9,000 | $64,000 |
| 46 | Arizona | $24,605 | $9,000 | $61,000 |
| 47 | Iowa | $24,084 | $10,000 | $54,000 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $23,454 | $10,000 | $52,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $23,158 | $8,000 | $60,000 |
| 50 | Utah | $22,960 | $10,000 | $50,000 |
Methodology: Graduate Assistant Salary By State
To analyze graduate assistant salaries by state, Zippia has compiled data from multiple reliable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is further enhanced by actual salaries advertised in job listings. Our data science team calculates a weighted average from these inputs to arrive at the average salary for graduate assistants by state.
We ranked each state based on the average annual salary estimates for graduate assistants, with the highest salary state receiving the top ranking.
Graduate Assistant Salary By State FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid state for graduate assistants?
The highest-paid state for graduate assistants is Massachusetts, with an average salary of $50,237 per year.
-
What city pays graduate assistants the most?
Boston, MA offers the highest compensation for graduate assistants, averaging $49,658 per year.
-
What is the worst state for graduate assistants?
The lowest-paying state for graduate assistants is Utah, with an average salary of $22,960 per year.
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.
