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Instructional aide salary
Average instructional aide salary
$14.9
Average Instructional Aide Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for an Instructional Aide in the United States is $30,993 per year, or about $15 per hour. This figure can vary based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific educational setting. For instance, instructional aides in urban areas often earn more than their rural counterparts due to a higher cost of living and demand for educational support.
Where Can Instructional Aides Earn More?
States like California, New York, and Texas typically offer higher salaries for instructional aides. In California, the average salary can reach upwards of $35,000, reflecting the state's investment in education. Additionally, instructional aides with specialized skills, such as working with special needs students, may command higher wages due to the specialized training required.
Salary Estimates Over Time
Over the past few years, the salary for instructional aides has seen gradual growth, indicating a positive trend for job seekers in this field. As demand for educational support continues to rise, pursuing a career as an instructional aide can be a rewarding opportunity.
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Where can an Instructional Aide earn more?
Instructional aide salary estimates from across the web
Average instructional aide salary by state
The average instructional aide salary in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average instructional aide salary states are Louisiana, Indiana, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for instructional aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $33,403 | $16.06 |
| 2 | Delaware | $33,566 | $16.14 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $35,489 | $17.06 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $35,423 | $17.03 |
| 5 | Vermont | $31,412 | $15.10 |
| 6 | Ohio | $33,121 | $15.92 |
| 7 | New York | $33,006 | $15.87 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $31,312 | $15.05 |
| 9 | Alaska | $31,183 | $14.99 |
| 10 | Oregon | $32,812 | $15.78 |
| 11 | Oklahoma | $30,560 | $14.69 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $29,760 | $14.31 |
| 13 | Maine | $30,254 | $14.55 |
| 14 | Illinois | $28,957 | $13.92 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $29,645 | $14.25 |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | $29,499 | $14.18 |
| 17 | Nevada | $28,486 | $13.70 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $30,172 | $14.51 |
| 19 | Washington | $31,512 | $15.15 |
| 20 | Iowa | $27,546 | $13.24 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $28,552 | $13.73 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $29,419 | $14.14 |
| 23 | Arizona | $27,419 | $13.18 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $32,761 | $15.75 |
| 25 | Connecticut | $27,918 | $13.42 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $32,753 | $15.75 |
| 27 | Michigan | $26,308 | $12.65 |
| 28 | Montana | $26,788 | $12.88 |
| 29 | Virginia | $29,655 | $14.26 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $27,714 | $13.32 |
| 31 | California | $31,709 | $15.24 |
| 32 | Idaho | $26,967 | $12.96 |
| 33 | Maryland | $28,276 | $13.59 |
| 34 | Missouri | $27,941 | $13.43 |
| 35 | Colorado | $27,134 | $13.05 |
| 36 | New Jersey | $26,769 | $12.87 |
| 37 | Wyoming | $24,800 | $11.92 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $25,916 | $12.46 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $26,618 | $12.80 |
| 40 | Utah | $27,431 | $13.19 |
| 41 | Indiana | $23,973 | $11.53 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $25,367 | $12.20 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $25,172 | $12.10 |
| 44 | Texas | $25,384 | $12.20 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $25,332 | $12.18 |
| 46 | Alabama | $25,404 | $12.21 |
| 47 | Kansas | $23,495 | $11.30 |
| 48 | Georgia | $23,888 | $11.48 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $24,387 | $11.72 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $23,528 | $11.31 |
| 51 | Florida | $22,644 | $10.89 |
Highest paying cities for instructional aides
The highest-paying cities for instructional aides are Columbus, OH, San Francisco, CA, and Harrisburg, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus, OH | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $32,573 | $15.66 |
| 3 | Harrisburg, PA | $29,387 | $14.13 |
| 4 | Madison, WI | $28,317 | $13.61 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $27,965 | $13.44 |
| 6 | Flagstaff, AZ | $27,414 | $13.18 |
| 7 | El Paso, TX | $26,672 | $12.82 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $26,342 | $12.66 |
| 9 | Lincoln, NE | $25,875 | $12.44 |
| 10 | Columbus, GA | $23,720 | $11.40 |
| 11 | Kansas City, KS | $23,538 | $11.32 |
Instructional aide salary details
An instructional aide's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $38,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an instructional aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $30,993 | $2,583 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying instructional aide jobs
The highest paying types of instructional aides are pre-k teacher, teaching assistant, and teacher associate.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Teacher | $26,036 | $2,170 | $12.52 | 139,010 |
| Pre-K Teacher | $40,301 | $3,358 | $19.38 | 60,464 |
| Head Start Teacher | $33,865 | $2,822 | $16.28 | 67,747 |
| Para Educator | $31,394 | $2,616 | $15.09 | 56,897 |
| Preschool Teacher | $33,582 | $2,798 | $16.14 | 55,298 |
| Aide | $27,793 | $2,316 | $13.36 | 78,919 |
Which companies pay instructional aides the most?
Instructional aide salaries at Boston Public Schools and Madera High School are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average instructional aide salary at companies like Solana Beach School District and Granada Hills Charter are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $43,968 | $21.14 |
| 2 | Madera High School | $38,205 | $18.37 |
| 3 | Solana Beach School District | $37,517 | $18.04 |
| 4 | Granada Hills Charter | $36,038 | $17.33 |
| 5 | Central Valley School District | $35,638 | $17.13 |
| 6 | Tulare Western High School | $35,438 | $17.04 |
| 7 | Jefferson Elementary School District | $35,384 | $17.01 |
| 8 | Washington Union High School | $35,161 | $16.90 |
| 9 | Westlake Charter School | $34,767 | $16.71 |
| 10 | Clovis Municipal School District | $34,523 | $16.60 |
| 11 | Cintas | $34,378 | $16.53 |
| 12 | Monrovia Unified School Dist | $34,111 | $16.40 |
| 13 | The Academy of Alameda | $33,866 | $16.28 |
| 14 | New River Community College | $33,682 | $16.19 |
| 15 | Research Foundation of The City University of New York | $33,525 | $16.12 |
| 16 | Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy | $33,423 | $16.07 |
| 17 | Cuesta College | $33,318 | $16.02 |
| 18 | Lennox School District | $33,189 | $15.96 |
| 19 | Delhi Unified School District | $33,120 | $15.92 |
| 20 | Hinsdale Central High School | $33,088 | $15.91 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Instructional aide salary trends
The average instructional aide salary has risen by $5,690 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average instructional aide earned $25,303 annually, but today, they earn $30,993 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for instructional aides over the last decade.
Compare instructional aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average instructional aide salary over time
Compare instructional aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Instructional aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $31,000 | $14.90 | +3.4% |
| 2025 | $29,900 | $14.39 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $28,900 | $13.91 | +2.6% |
| 2023 | $28,200 | $13.55 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $27,300 | $13.11 | +2.0% |
Recently added instructional aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancelight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education | Instructional Aide | Chattanooga, TN | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Chancelight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education | Instructional Aide | Mignon, AL | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Olathe Public Schools | Instructional Title Aide-Washington Elementary School-Day | Olathe, KS | 06/29/2025 | $29,218 |
| Spectrum Center Schools and Programs | Instructional Aide | Oakland, CA | 06/29/2025 | $41,782 |
| Epic Special Education Staffing | Instructional Aide School ESY | Ridgefield, CT | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Chancelight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education | Instructional Aide | Columbus, GA | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Lake Tahoe Community College | Instructional Aide-Fire Science | South Lake Tahoe, CA | 06/28/2025 | $38,088 |
| International Leadership of Texas | Sped Instructional Aide (High School) | Houston, TX | 06/28/2025 | $22,240 |
| Rossier Park School | Instructional Aide | Columbus, GA | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Panama-Buena Vista Union School District | Instructional Intervention Aide School Year) | Bakersfield, CA | 06/27/2025 | $36,919 |
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