Highest-Paying Teacher Aide Jobs [2023]

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 teacher aides that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of teacher aides:

• Head Teacher is the highest-paid type of teacher aide with an average salary of $51,715 and an average hourly rate of $24.86.

• The second highest-paying type of teacher aide is teacher internship, with an average salary of $48,398.

• The average teacher aide salary is $29,480 per year, and the average hourly pay is $14.17.

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 teacher aide, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of teacher aides are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of teacher aides:

1. Head Teacher

   Average Salary: $51,715

   A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students’ overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child’s performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students’ needs and support their high-quality performance.

2. Teacher Internship

   Average Salary: $48,398

   Teaching interns are individuals who assist teachers and educators in the classroom. The interns are instructed to fulfill the tasks set out and provided by the supervisors for them. They take part in meetings and jot down their minutes. It is part of their job to conduct research at the request of the supervisor. They make updates to social media platforms and make posts. Also, they create images to be used in posts through different social media platforms.

3. Teacher

   Average Salary: $47,989

   Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

4. Pre-K Teacher

   Average Salary: $40,301

   Pre-K teachers play an essential role in the lives of young children ages three to five years old by developing and nurturing their interest in subjects appropriate for their age. They promote a creative learning environment and encourage social interactions among students while providing the fundamental educational foundation that will prepare them for a successful start to kindergarten. They are responsible for overseeing children during their mealtimes, reinforcing personal hygiene, and developing children’s social skills. Pre-K teachers also plan curriculum and work with other school staff members.

5. Teacher Associate

   Average Salary: $34,007

   A teacher associate is responsible for assisting the teacher in classroom operations and providing teaching support for the students. Teacher associates develop learning materials according to the instructions of the headteachers, helping them to track students’ progress and observing class behaviors. They also take class responsibility if the teacher is away, ensuring to keep activity records and attendance for reference. A teacher associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling students’ difficulties and working with the teacher to develop techniques to address those challenges.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various teacher aide that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Teacher Aides

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 teacher aides.

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 Teacher Aide Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid teacher aide job?

   The highest-paid teacher aide job is a head teacher. Head Teachers earn an average salary of $51,715, which is $ 24.86 hourly.

   A headteacher is responsible for monitoring the students’ overall learning process, managing and evaluating the performance of school staff, implementing effective learning strategies for the students, encouraging them to reach their maximum potential, and gain self-confidence. Headteachers often lead meetings, especially discussing school activities and the child’s performance to their parents, implementing safety policies, and enforcing disciplinary actions for policy violations. A headteacher must have excellent leadership and communication skills to handle the students’ needs and support their high-quality performance.

2. What is a good salary for a teacher aide?

   A good salary for a teacher aide is $29,480 or more. The average teacher aide salary is $29,480, so those making at least $29,480 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average teacher aide 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 teacher aide, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $29,480 average, as this includes all teacher aides of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Teacher Aide jobs pay well?

   No, teacher aide jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some teacher aide jobs pay better than others, but the average teacher aide salary of $29,480 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many teacher aide jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of teacher aides earning $0 a year on average.

   Teacher Aides’ 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 teacher aide. Do your research on the going rate for a teacher aide in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do teacher aides get paid the most?

   Teacher Aides get paid the most in Arizona. In Arizona, teacher aides earn an average annual salary of $30,380 and an average hourly wage of $14.61.

   Following AZ, the states with the highest-paid teacher aides are Oklahoma, Maine, and New Hampshire, with average annual salaries of $30,535, $32,844, and $30,463 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid teacher aide salaries are:

   1. Antioch, CA – $32,120

   2. Lowell, MA – $31,342

   3. Baltimore, MD – $30,790

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.