Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of graduate assistants that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of graduate assistants:
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Faculty Assistant is the highest-paid type of graduate assistant with an average salary of $63,373 and an average hourly rate of $30.47.
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The second highest-paying type of graduate assistant is graduate fellow, with an average salary of $60,507.
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The average graduate assistant salary is $31,704 per year, and the average hourly pay is $15.24.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a graduate assistant, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of graduate assistants are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of graduate assistants:
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Faculty Assistant
Average Salary: $63,373
Faculty assistants, also known as teaching assistants, aid the primary instructor of an institution. They help the primary instructor map out learning strategies, prepare teaching aids, and distribute handouts. They also give feedback, evaluate learning plans, and assess students’ progress. Faculty assistants must be organized, know basic first aid, be resourceful, be team-oriented, be able to multitask, and have a significant level of patience.
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Graduate Fellow
Average Salary: $60,507
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Graduate Instruction Assistant
Average Salary: $60,078
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Doctoral Student
Average Salary: $56,000
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Graduate Internship
Average Salary: $52,511
A graduate internship is a short-term experience that oftentimes leads to a permanent position. The academic program allows graduates to experience different roles within an organization. This professional learning experience provides them with practical and meaningful work associated with their career interest or field of study. Many interns are hired by the company where they are working under an internship program due to their relevant work experience.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various graduate assistant that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Graduate Assistants
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information 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 create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for graduate assistants.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Graduate Assistant Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid graduate assistant job?
The highest-paid graduate assistant job is a faculty assistant. Faculty Assistants earn an average salary of $63,373, which is $ 30.47 hourly.
Faculty assistants, also known as teaching assistants, aid the primary instructor of an institution. They help the primary instructor map out learning strategies, prepare teaching aids, and distribute handouts. They also give feedback, evaluate learning plans, and assess students’ progress. Faculty assistants must be organized, know basic first aid, be resourceful, be team-oriented, be able to multitask, and have a significant level of patience.
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What is a good salary for a graduate assistant?
A good salary for a graduate assistant is $31,704 or more. The average graduate assistant salary is $31,704, so those making at least $31,704 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average graduate assistant salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a graduate assistant, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $31,704 average, as this includes all graduate assistants of all skill and experience levels.
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Do Graduate Assistant jobs pay well?
No, graduate assistant jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some graduate assistant jobs pay better than others, but the average graduate assistant salary of $31,704 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many graduate assistant jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of graduate assistants earning $0 a year on average.
Graduate Assistants’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a graduate assistant. Do your research on the going rate for a graduate assistant in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
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Where do graduate assistants get paid the most?
Graduate Assistants get paid the most in Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, graduate assistants earn an average annual salary of $50,237 and an average hourly wage of $24.15.
Following MA, the states with the highest-paid graduate assistants are New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, with average annual salaries of $47,325, $44,472, and $43,780 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid graduate assistant salaries are:
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Boston, MA – $49,658
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New York, NY – $46,268
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Waterbury, CT – $42,929
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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.
