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The current average salary for a teaching assistant is $36,519 annually, or approximately $18 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on several factors including location, years of experience, and specific educational settings.
Teaching assistants in certain states earn more due to higher living costs or increased demand for educational services. For example, states like California and New York often report higher average salaries compared to others. These geographical salary differences highlight the importance of considering location when evaluating job opportunities.
Experience also plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level positions typically start below the average, while seasoned professionals or those with specialized training can command higher salaries. Additionally, teaching assistants who work in specialized fields, such as special education, may earn a premium due to the additional skills required.
The demand for teaching assistants is expected to grow, providing numerous opportunities for job seekers. Understanding salary trends and regional differences can help aspiring teaching assistants make informed decisions about their career paths.
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The average teaching assistant salary in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average teaching assistant salary states are Arizona, Hawaii, and Florida.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $45,018 | $21.64 |
| 2 | Maryland | $47,031 | $22.61 |
| 3 | Maine | $46,155 | $22.19 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $49,857 | $23.97 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $44,333 | $21.31 |
| 6 | Michigan | $40,712 | $19.57 |
| 7 | New York | $44,789 | $21.53 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $49,414 | $23.76 |
| 10 | Illinois | $39,759 | $19.11 |
| 11 | North Carolina | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $44,689 | $21.49 |
| 13 | Delaware | $36,891 | $17.74 |
| 14 | Idaho | $35,973 | $17.29 |
| 15 | Vermont | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $37,037 | $17.81 |
| 17 | Arkansas | $36,611 | $17.60 |
| 18 | Ohio | $40,267 | $19.36 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $36,627 | $17.61 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $34,747 | $16.71 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $34,078 | $16.38 |
| 22 | Mississippi | $33,326 | $16.02 |
| 23 | Virginia | $36,876 | $17.73 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $32,775 | $15.76 |
| 25 | Montana | $31,831 | $15.30 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $31,709 | $15.24 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $32,866 | $15.80 |
| 28 | Nevada | $29,994 | $14.42 |
| 29 | Indiana | $32,313 | $15.54 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $30,948 | $14.88 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $31,569 | $15.18 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $30,325 | $14.58 |
| 33 | Alabama | $33,068 | $15.90 |
| 34 | California | $35,654 | $17.14 |
| 35 | District of Columbia | $36,287 | $17.45 |
| 36 | Iowa | $30,636 | $14.73 |
| 37 | Alaska | $27,442 | $13.19 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $30,852 | $14.83 |
| 39 | Colorado | $29,767 | $14.31 |
| 40 | Arizona | $28,321 | $13.62 |
| 41 | Washington | $32,683 | $15.71 |
| 42 | Texas | $31,076 | $14.94 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $30,987 | $14.90 |
| 44 | Missouri | $31,393 | $15.09 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $28,427 | $13.67 |
| 46 | Kansas | $27,728 | $13.33 |
| 47 | Florida | $27,964 | $13.44 |
| 48 | Georgia | $30,236 | $14.54 |
| 49 | Oregon | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| 50 | Utah | $26,512 | $12.75 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $28,299 | $13.61 |
The highest-paying cities for teaching assistants are Philadelphia, PA, Needham, MA, and Baltimore, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia, PA | $50,218 | $24.14 |
| 2 | Needham, MA | $49,448 | $23.77 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $47,246 | $22.71 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $44,983 | $21.63 |
| 5 | Bristol, CT | $44,918 | $21.60 |
| 6 | Ann Arbor, MI | $40,655 | $19.55 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $40,062 | $19.26 |
| 8 | Hamilton, OH | $38,651 | $18.58 |
| 9 | Saint Paul, MN | $36,712 | $17.65 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $36,298 | $17.45 |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $36,268 | $17.44 |
| 12 | Seattle, WA | $32,703 | $15.72 |
| 13 | Saint Louis, MO | $32,115 | $15.44 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $31,457 | $15.12 |
| 15 | Atlanta, GA | $30,342 | $14.59 |
| 16 | Fort Collins, CO | $30,105 | $14.47 |
| 17 | Lawrence, KS | $28,076 | $13.50 |
Teaching Assistants are the most in-demand in these five cities:
A teaching assistant's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $59,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $36,519 | $3,043 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
The highest paying types of teaching assistants are adjunct faculty, adjunct lecturer, and teaching artist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math Tutor | $34,609 | $2,884 | $16.64 | 41,645 |
| Tutor | $33,998 | $2,833 | $16.35 | 45,543 |
| Adjunct Lecturer | $79,657 | $6,638 | $38.30 | 26,546 |
| Adjunct Faculty | $83,069 | $6,922 | $39.94 | 26,791 |
| Lecturer | $61,988 | $5,166 | $29.80 | 26,449 |
| Chemistry Tutor | $29,280 | $2,440 | $14.08 | 16,537 |
Teaching assistant salaries at Pace University and Harvard University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average teaching assistant salary at companies like Data and Emory University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pace University | $74,540 | $35.84 |
| 2 | Harvard University | $68,331 | $32.85 |
| 3 | Data | $60,197 | $28.94 |
| 4 | Emory University | $58,581 | $28.16 |
| 5 | The Culinary Institute of America | $58,347 | $28.05 |
| 6 | New York Film Academy | $58,071 | $27.92 |
| 7 | Park University | $57,251 | $27.52 |
| 8 | Kern Community College District | $55,430 | $26.65 |
| 9 | Ross Institute | $55,185 | $26.53 |
| 10 | San Diego College of Continuing Education | $54,924 | $26.41 |
| 11 | Gettysburg College | $54,039 | $25.98 |
| 12 | UC Merced | $52,878 | $25.42 |
| 13 | Yale University | $52,766 | $25.37 |
| 14 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $51,702 | $24.86 |
| 15 | Carnegie Mellon University | $51,515 | $24.77 |
| 16 | New York State Restaurant Association | $51,128 | $24.58 |
| 17 | The University of Chicago | $51,057 | $24.55 |
| 18 | Oak Hill School | $50,893 | $24.47 |
| 19 | Hilton CSD | $50,489 | $24.27 |
| 20 | Sotheby's Institute of Art | $49,986 | $24.03 |
The average teaching assistant salary has risen by $5,956 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average teaching assistant earned $30,563 annually, but today, they earn $36,519 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for teaching assistants over the last decade.
Compare teaching assistant salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare teaching assistant salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,500 | $17.56 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $35,800 | $17.20 | +7.8% |
| 2023 | $33,000 | $15.86 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $31,800 | $15.27 | -5.5% |
| 2021 | $33,500 | $16.11 | +10.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Summer Pre-College 2025 Teaching Assistant | Richmond, VA | 06/30/2025 | $26,400 |
| Imogenfoundation | Teaching Assistant-Afterschool | Fine, NY | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| National Honey Almond | Teaching Assistant (Paraprofessional) at Brooklyn Excelsior Charter School | New York, NY | 06/29/2025 | $39,131 |
| Spectrum Center Schools and Programs | Teaching Assistant | Ione, CA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Fuller Theological | Teaching Assistant-Korean Studies Center | Pasadena, CA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | SY Teaching/INS Support Assistant Early Child-Remote | WFH | Boston, MA | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Maine College of Art | Salt Teaching Assistant (Radio & Podcasting/Short Film/Workshop) | Portland, ME | 06/28/2025 | $48,001 |
| Amergis | School Aide/Classroom Support/Teaching Assistant | Temple City, CA | 06/28/2025 | $39,653 |
| National Heritage Academies | Teaching Assistant (Paraprofessional) at Buffalo United Charter School | Buffalo, NY | 06/27/2025 | $36,523 |
| Enfield Public Schools | Elementary Instructional Teaching Assistant Temporary | Enfield, CT | 06/27/2025 | $52,175 |
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