Research Summary. Comprehensive analysis by the Zippia data science team reveals essential insights into teacher aide salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Rhode Island offers the highest average teacher aide salary at $34,835.
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South Carolina has the lowest teacher aide salary at $22,029.
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The national average salary for teacher aides is $29,480.
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Nationally, the hourly wage for teacher aides is $14.17.
For more information, see the specific methodology.
Background
Across various demographics, salary remains the top consideration for job seekers. Many aspiring teacher aides frequently ask, “What can I expect to earn in my area?” While individual salaries may vary based on factors like experience and location, the comprehensive data on average salaries for teacher aides by state provides a solid starting point for expectations.
Currently, Rhode Island ranks as the state with the highest average salary for teacher aides.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for teacher aide salaries:
Now, let’s delve into the full ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Teacher Aides By State
| Rank | State | Average Teacher Aide Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $34,835 | $28,000 | $42,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $33,906 | $28,000 | $41,000 |
| 3 | Maine | $32,844 | $26,000 | $40,000 |
| 4 | Alaska | $32,581 | $28,000 | $36,000 |
| 5 | Vermont | $31,618 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 6 | California | $31,494 | $26,000 | $38,000 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $31,188 | $25,000 | $38,000 |
| 8 | Oregon | $30,859 | $25,000 | $37,000 |
| 9 | Maryland | $30,690 | $24,000 | $38,000 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | $30,535 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $30,477 | $27,000 | $33,000 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $30,463 | $24,000 | $37,000 |
| 13 | Arizona | $30,380 | $25,000 | $36,000 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $29,745 | $24,000 | $36,000 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $29,669 | $23,000 | $36,000 |
| 16 | Colorado | $29,193 | $24,000 | $35,000 |
| 17 | Michigan | $29,146 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $29,035 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 19 | Mississippi | $28,794 | $24,000 | $34,000 |
| 20 | New Jersey | $28,784 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $28,603 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 22 | West Virginia | $28,550 | $23,000 | $35,000 |
| 23 | New York | $28,475 | $22,000 | $35,000 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $28,463 | $23,000 | $34,000 |
| 25 | Missouri | $28,423 | $23,000 | $34,000 |
| 26 | Nevada | $27,928 | $23,000 | $33,000 |
| 27 | Delaware | $27,875 | $22,000 | $34,000 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $27,670 | $22,000 | $33,000 |
| 29 | Texas | $27,627 | $22,000 | $33,000 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $27,111 | $22,000 | $33,000 |
| 31 | Connecticut | $26,886 | $21,000 | $33,000 |
| 32 | Utah | $26,716 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 33 | Virginia | $26,534 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 34 | Idaho | $26,449 | $21,000 | $32,000 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $26,266 | $21,000 | $31,000 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $25,601 | $20,000 | $31,000 |
| 37 | Illinois | $25,472 | $20,000 | $31,000 |
| 38 | Iowa | $25,273 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $24,902 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| 40 | Montana | $24,860 | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| 41 | Alabama | $24,698 | $20,000 | $29,000 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $24,482 | $20,000 | $29,000 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $24,465 | $20,000 | $29,000 |
| 44 | Kansas | $24,091 | $19,000 | $29,000 |
| 45 | Ohio | $23,946 | $19,000 | $29,000 |
| 46 | Indiana | $23,928 | $19,000 | $29,000 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $23,327 | $19,000 | $28,000 |
| 48 | Florida | $22,837 | $19,000 | $26,000 |
| 49 | Georgia | $22,029 | $18,000 | $26,000 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $22,029 | $18,000 | $26,000 |
Methodology: Teacher Aide Salary By State
To evaluate teacher aide salaries by state, Zippia compiles data from a variety of sources, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Federal Labor Commission (FLC), and Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We enrich this data with actual salaries from job postings. The data science team then computes a weighted average for a precise estimate of teacher aide salaries statewide.
We ranked states based on the average annual salary data for teacher aides, identifying the state with the highest average salary as the top-ranking state.
Teacher Aide Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for teacher aides?
The highest-paid state for teacher aides is Rhode Island, boasting an average salary of $34,835 per year.
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What city pays teacher aides the most?
Antioch, CA offers the highest pay for teacher aides, with an average salary of $32,120 per year.
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What is the worst state for teacher aides?
South Carolina ranks as the lowest-paying state for teacher aides, with an average salary of $22,029 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.
