Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Graduate student assistant salary
Average graduate student assistant salary
$37,164
Average Graduate Student Assistant Salary
The average salary for a Graduate Student Assistant is approximately $37,164 annually. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, specific duties, and the institution's funding. For instance, graduate students in well-funded programs or high-cost living areas may earn more than the average.
Salary by State
Some of the highest-paying states for Graduate Student Assistants include:
- California
- New York
- Massachusetts
These states often offer higher salaries due to increased demand for academic roles and a higher cost of living. Additionally, cities like San Francisco and New York City are known for competitive compensation packages.
Opportunities for Advancement
To maximize earning potential, graduate students should seek internships or additional teaching responsibilities within their programs. Networking with faculty and attending career workshops can also lead to higher-paying positions post-graduation. Understanding the market and actively pursuing opportunities will enhance your career trajectory as a Graduate Student Assistant.
Let Zippi find your next graduate student assistant job
Let Zippi find your next graduate student assistant job
Where can a Graduate Student Assistant earn more?
Average graduate student assistant salary by state
The average graduate student assistant salary in California, Massachusetts, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average graduate student assistant salary states are Georgia, Kentucky, and Nebraska.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for graduate student assistants
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $48,126 | $23.14 |
| 2 | New York | $45,516 | $21.88 |
| 3 | California | $50,083 | $24.08 |
| 4 | Maryland | $47,181 | $22.68 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $41,559 | $19.98 |
| 6 | Maine | $44,457 | $21.37 |
| 7 | Illinois | $43,274 | $20.80 |
| 8 | Oregon | $40,823 | $19.63 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $43,104 | $20.72 |
| 10 | Washington | $41,373 | $19.89 |
| 11 | Texas | $41,133 | $19.78 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $43,585 | $20.95 |
| 13 | Indiana | $43,017 | $20.68 |
| 14 | Idaho | $41,951 | $20.17 |
| 15 | Alaska | $38,137 | $18.34 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $39,252 | $18.87 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $36,208 | $17.41 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $34,385 | $16.53 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $38,548 | $18.53 |
| 20 | Ohio | $38,636 | $18.57 |
| 21 | Delaware | $35,909 | $17.26 |
| 22 | Michigan | $36,505 | $17.55 |
| 23 | Vermont | $34,478 | $16.58 |
| 24 | Alabama | $35,851 | $17.24 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $40,062 | $19.26 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $36,482 | $17.54 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $36,592 | $17.59 |
| 28 | South Dakota | $36,141 | $17.38 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $32,464 | $15.61 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $36,511 | $17.55 |
| 31 | Montana | $35,218 | $16.93 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $32,840 | $15.79 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $32,643 | $15.69 |
| 34 | Arizona | $34,344 | $16.51 |
| 35 | Iowa | $31,361 | $15.08 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $34,322 | $16.50 |
| 37 | Colorado | $31,825 | $15.30 |
| 38 | Minnesota | $31,801 | $15.29 |
| 39 | Nevada | $35,122 | $16.89 |
| 40 | Utah | $31,592 | $15.19 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $32,376 | $15.57 |
| 43 | Virginia | $33,034 | $15.88 |
| 44 | Missouri | $33,037 | $15.88 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $29,886 | $14.37 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| 47 | Kansas | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $32,271 | $15.51 |
| 49 | Kentucky | $30,809 | $14.81 |
| 50 | Georgia | $30,932 | $14.87 |
| 51 | Florida | $27,140 | $13.05 |
Highest paying cities for graduate student assistants
The highest-paying cities for graduate student assistants are Berkeley, CA, Bridgewater, MA, and Baltimore, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkeley, CA | $50,818 | $24.43 |
| 2 | Bridgewater, MA | $48,595 | $23.36 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $47,545 | $22.86 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $45,637 | $21.94 |
| 5 | Peoria, IL | $42,563 | $20.46 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $41,963 | $20.17 |
| 7 | Albany, OR | $41,168 | $19.79 |
| 8 | Huntsville, TX | $40,522 | $19.48 |
| 9 | Hoboken, NJ | $39,341 | $18.91 |
| 10 | Anchorage, AK | $38,291 | $18.41 |
| 11 | Alexandria, LA | $34,598 | $16.63 |
| 12 | Peoria, AZ | $34,431 | $16.55 |
| 13 | Chesterfield, MO | $32,998 | $15.86 |
| 14 | Virginia Beach, VA | $32,830 | $15.78 |
| 15 | Cookeville, TN | $32,785 | $15.76 |
| 16 | Greenville, NC | $32,659 | $15.70 |
| 17 | Lakewood, CO | $31,847 | $15.31 |
| 18 | Brooklyn Park, MN | $31,762 | $15.27 |
| 19 | Dubuque, IA | $31,747 | $15.26 |
| 20 | Salt Lake City, UT | $31,514 | $15.15 |
Graduate student assistant salary details
A graduate student assistant's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $64,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a graduate student assistant's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| 75th Percentile | $49,000 | $4,083 | $24 |
| Average | $37,164 | $3,097 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying graduate student assistant jobs
The highest paying types of graduate student assistants are researcher, faculty assistant, and assistant research scientist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Researcher | $67,145 | $5,595 | $32.28 | 30,498 |
| Laboratory Researcher | $27,760 | $2,313 | $13.35 | 57,359 |
| Research Internship | $39,573 | $3,298 | $19.03 | 95,123 |
| Student Instructor | $49,436 | $4,120 | $23.77 | 39,719 |
| Graduate Researcher | $32,346 | $2,696 | $15.55 | 17,313 |
| Graduate Internship | $52,511 | $4,376 | $25.25 | 48,962 |
Top companies hiring graduate student assistants now:
Which companies pay graduate student assistants the most?
Graduate student assistant salaries at Los Alamos National Security LLC and Curry College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average graduate student assistant salary at companies like Harvard University and Mount Aloysius College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Alamos National Security LLC | $75,389 | $36.24 |
| 2 | Curry College | $74,486 | $35.81 |
| 3 | Harvard University | $62,923 | $30.25 |
| 4 | Mount Aloysius College | $62,509 | $30.05 |
| 5 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | $61,661 | $29.64 |
| 6 | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| 7 | MCPHS University - Boston | $57,337 | $27.57 |
| 8 | Grand View University | $57,138 | $27.47 |
| 9 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $55,615 | $26.74 |
| 10 | Bridgewater State University | $55,515 | $26.69 |
| 11 | City of Antioch | $51,344 | $24.68 |
| 12 | University of California-Berkeley | $51,027 | $24.53 |
| 13 | Minnesota State Fair | $47,767 | $22.96 |
| 14 | Carnegie Mellon University | $47,741 | $22.95 |
| 15 | PSEA | $47,152 | $22.67 |
| 16 | Boston College | $46,224 | $22.22 |
| 17 | UTRGV - The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $44,185 | $21.24 |
| 18 | University of Pennsylvania | $42,861 | $20.61 |
| 19 | Maverick Transportation | $40,565 | $19.50 |
| 20 | Franklin Pierce University | $40,254 | $19.35 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Graduate student assistant salary trends
The average graduate student assistant salary has risen by $6,061 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average graduate student assistant earned $31,103 annually, but today, they earn $37,164 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for graduate student assistants over the last decade.
Compare graduate student assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average graduate student assistant salary over time
Compare graduate student assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Graduate student assistant salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,200 | $17.87 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $36,400 | $17.51 | +7.8% |
| 2023 | $33,600 | $16.14 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $32,300 | $15.54 | -5.5% |
| 2021 | $34,100 | $16.39 | +10.0% |
Recently added graduate student assistant salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University | Graduate Student Assistant-Library of Architecture, Design and Construction | Auburn, AL | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Barnard College | Graduate Assistant, International Student Services | Fine, NY | 06/22/2025 | $52,175 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Texas Global-Marketing and Communications Graduate Student Assistant | Cove, UT | 06/19/2025 | $41,740 |
| Angelo State University | Graduate Student Assistant for Bit/Cares | San Angelo, TX | 06/18/2025 | $30,262 |
| Csusb | Graduate Studies, Front Operations-Student Assistant | San Bernardino, CA | 06/13/2025 | $34,436 |
| Cole Health | RBT Certified-Bcba Graduate Student | Austin, TX | 06/13/2025 | $37,566 |
| State of California | Graduate Student Assistant | Atascadero, CA | 06/13/2025 | $43,392 |
| Columbus State University | Graduate Assistant-Student Conduct | Columbus, GA | 06/12/2025 | $25,044 |
| CSU Careers | Graduate Studies, Front Operations-Student Assistant | San Bernardino, CA | 06/12/2025 | $34,436 |
| Dominican University | OSI Graduate Assistant for Registered Student Organizations | River Forest, IL | 06/11/2025 | $14,400 |
Graduate student assistant salary FAQs
Search for graduate student assistant jobs