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Student assistant vs teacher assistant

The differences between student assistants and teacher assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a teacher assistant has an average salary of $27,103, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for a student assistant include customer service, front desk and administrative assistance. The most important skills for a teacher assistant are CPR, child care, and mathematics.

Student assistant vs teacher assistant overview

Student AssistantTeacher Assistant
Yearly salary$25,439$27,103
Hourly rate$12.23$13.03
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs29,09377,358
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a student assistant do?

Student assistants are university students who are working part-time for a staff member or department. They are usually assigned to do administrative or clerical activities to help ease the load of their supervisor. They may manage files and information dissemination channels of the department. They may extend assistance during the registration period by helping other students fill out forms, managing the department's enrollment procedure, or doing any other activity required by their supervisor. They may also be asked to mentor younger students. Student assistants should be organized and trustworthy.

What does a teacher assistant do?

Teacher assistants are responsible for aiding teachers in their needs inside the classroom. They help teachers prepare for lessons in class, set up equipment, distribute educational materials to students, and monitor the progress of the students. Teacher assistants also help in managing the children in the classroom, as well as providing the necessary assistance a child may need. This may include helping with the lessons by going table to table, assisting in writing exercises, and tutoring kids one-to-one. Teacher assistants are required to have patience, flexibility, and classroom management skills.

Student assistant vs teacher assistant salary

Student assistants and teacher assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student AssistantTeacher Assistant
Average salary$25,439$27,103
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $37,000Between $21,000 And $34,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYCoventry, RI
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric ResearchUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryGovernmentFinance

Differences between student assistant and teacher assistant education

There are a few differences between a student assistant and a teacher assistant in terms of educational background:

Student AssistantTeacher Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityDuke University

Student assistant vs teacher assistant demographics

Here are the differences between student assistants' and teacher assistants' demographics:

Student AssistantTeacher Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 21.5% Female, 78.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 55.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between student assistant and teacher assistant duties and responsibilities

Student assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Adhere to all aspects of FERPA and student confidentiality guidelines.
  • Answer phone, run errands, take messages, help office manager
  • Order, open and distribute office supplies weekly, and run errands.
  • Clean and stock supplies in restrooms, wash windows, walls and fix light fixtures.
  • Perform CPR during emergency rotation.
  • Show more

Teacher assistant example responsibilities.

  • Lead chemistry recitations, prepare lessons, and coordinate student problem solving sessions.
  • Manage student supervision in various environments including classrooms, halls, cafeterias, schoolyards, gymnasiums, and field trip locations.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Help clients with ADL's.
  • Assist MH/MR clients with ADL's.
  • Substitute teacher grades from k-5.
  • Show more

Student assistant vs teacher assistant skills

Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%
Common teacher assistant skills
  • CPR, 18%
  • Child Care, 14%
  • Mathematics, 10%
  • Art Projects, 7%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Learning Environment, 5%

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