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What is a classroom aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Classroom aides help teachers by working with students to ensure that their content is understood and that students are given individual attention in class. They identify students who are struggling in class and develop teaching aids for use in the classroom, including activity sheets, drawings, and similar handouts. They also present subject matter to children or adults, under the guidance of a teacher, utilizing a variety of methods, including stories, discussions, and role-playing.

Classroom aides lead classroom activities and may confer with parents on children's progress in the absence of the teacher. They assist children or adults, individually or in groups, with lesson assignments to present or reinforce learning concepts. They also lead, guide, and train staff/student employees, interns, and volunteers performing related work. A great classroom aide needs to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Classroom aides typically hold a bachelor's degree in psychology, elementary education, early childhood education, or other related fields. They are expected to have some years of experience in a similar role. Some employers prefer candidates with a solid understanding of classroom activities and teaching best practices.

ScoreClassroom AideUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $28,832

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.5

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.35%

Asian 8.80%

Black or African American 8.60%

Hispanic or Latino 16.00%

Unknown 4.59%

White 60.66%

Gender

female 83.90%

male 16.10%

Age - 45
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45
Stress level
4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.8

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Classroom aide career paths

Key steps to become a classroom aide

  1. Explore classroom aide education requirements

    Most common classroom aide degrees

    Bachelor's

    54.7 %

    Associate

    17.9 %

    High School Diploma

    13.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific classroom aide skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Autism14.79%
    CPR10.61%
    Classroom Environment9.56%
    Behavior Management7.30%
    Developmental Disabilities6.01%
  3. Gain additional classroom aide certifications

    Classroom aide certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific classroom aide certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for classroom aides include Advanced First Aid & CPR and First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor.

    More About Certifications
  4. Research classroom aide duties and responsibilities

    • Run daily ABA programs with students to reach specific goals and milestones.
    • Provide ABA discrete trial teaching to all classroom children under the direction of certify classroom teacher.
    • Assist autistic and learning-disable students in scholastic aspects including assignments, mathematics, specials, and classroom activities.
    • Provide one-on-one individualize support for students with specific IEP's.
  5. Prepare your classroom aide resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your classroom aide resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a classroom aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable classroom aide resume templates

    Build a professional classroom aide resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your classroom aide resume.
    Classroom Aide Resume
    Classroom Aide Resume
    Classroom Aide Resume
    Classroom Aide Resume
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    Classroom Aide Resume
    Classroom Aide Resume
    Classroom Aide Resume
  6. Apply for classroom aide jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a classroom aide job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first classroom aide job

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Average classroom aide salary

The average classroom aide salary in the United States is $28,832 per year or $14 per hour. Classroom aide salaries range between $23,000 and $35,000 per year.

Average classroom aide salary
$28,832 Yearly
$13.86 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do classroom aides rate their job?

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Classroom aide reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2023
Pros

Days off

Cons

No support from administration, supervisor, no union representative in house at schools to support job issues and concerns .


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A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

I enjoy working as a teacher aide because of the children I love doing it

Cons

nothing I like everything


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021
Pros

Working one on one with students who struggle because I get to see their confidence boost and their grades improve. Also have the summers off to be with my kids who are out of school

Cons

Not being recognized as the valuable team member I am and being considered another number in the hr system. It's very impersonable.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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