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Graduate teaching assistant vs college instructor

The differences between graduate teaching assistants and college instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a college instructor has an average salary of $50,584, which is higher than the $44,994 average annual salary of a graduate teaching assistant.

The top three skills for a graduate teaching assistant include lab experiments, laboratory sections and undergraduate courses. The most important skills for a college instructor are classroom management, mathematics, and syllabus.

Graduate teaching assistant vs college instructor overview

Graduate Teaching AssistantCollege Instructor
Yearly salary$44,994$50,584
Hourly rate$21.63$24.32
Growth rate-2%
Number of jobs12,59841,053
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4446
Years of experience-4

What does a graduate teaching assistant do?

A Graduate Teaching Assistant may work in Learning Facilities by teaching short courses under supervision or assist the Faculty Staff in various aspects such as research. They can also lend a hand in preparing and creating learning materials such as presentations, handouts, and other teaching-related tasks. Furthermore, among the duties of a Graduate Teaching Assistant may include handling written reports, preparing or cleaning laboratories and facilities, grading and evaluating students' papers, and preparing examinations or other quiz material.

What does a college instructor do?

A certified veterinary technician is in charge of performing laboratory tests, participating in medical procedures, and performing clerical support tasks at veterinary clinics, zoos, and private laboratories. Their responsibilities often include collecting information from pet owners, studying patients' medical histories, gathering and analyzing samples from patients through various laboratory procedures, operating equipment and machines, and monitoring patients' conditions. Moreover, under the supervision of a veterinarian, they may also provide first-aid to animals and administer medication.

Graduate teaching assistant vs college instructor salary

Graduate teaching assistants and college instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graduate Teaching AssistantCollege Instructor
Average salary$44,994$50,584
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $74,000Between $34,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityTerre Haute, INCupertino, CA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaCalifornia
Best paying companyCalifornia State University, FullertonMarathon Oil
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between graduate teaching assistant and college instructor education

There are a few differences between a graduate teaching assistant and a college instructor in terms of educational background:

Graduate Teaching AssistantCollege Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorBiologyBusiness
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graduate teaching assistant vs college instructor demographics

Here are the differences between graduate teaching assistants' and college instructors' demographics:

Graduate Teaching AssistantCollege Instructor
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 50.4% Female, 49.6%Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.1% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage6%16%

Differences between graduate teaching assistant and college instructor duties and responsibilities

Graduate teaching assistant example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish assessment of PU foam samples base on morphology by SEM and optical microscope.
  • Assist classmates with developing positive study habits and strategies for managing classroom material.
  • Tutor calculus, algebra, probability, financial mathematics and others as requested.
  • Learned advance PCR techniques and troubleshooting.
  • Analyze yield of Suzuki reaction using HPLC.
  • Develop method for analysis of steroids in herbal medicines using HPLC.
  • Show more

College instructor example responsibilities.

  • Excel in achieving proficiency in teaching mathematics to students which is measured through tests ensuring accuracy of information teach.
  • Teach college composition and literature courses.
  • Provide ESL instruction to adult learners.
  • Serve on faculty committee to revise and restructure placement process for incoming ESL students.
  • Instruct graduate and undergraduate courses in leadership, management, ethics, organizational studies ,
  • Provide instruction to college students in the areas of sociology, psychology and addiction treatment.
  • Show more

Graduate teaching assistant vs college instructor skills

Common graduate teaching assistant skills
  • Lab Experiments, 22%
  • Laboratory Sections, 8%
  • Undergraduate Courses, 8%
  • Organic Chemistry, 6%
  • Mathematics, 3%
  • Course Materials, 3%
Common college instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 17%
  • Mathematics, 7%
  • Syllabus, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Course Curriculum, 5%
  • Student Learning, 5%

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