Teacher assistants — also called paraprofessionals, classroom aides, or instructional aides — support licensed teachers in classrooms across the country. It’s an entry point into education and a full career path for those who specialize in special education support.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for teaching assistants, except postsecondary, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| 25th | $31,060 | $14.93 |
| 50th (median) | $36,780 | $17.68 |
| 75th | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| 90th | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Average (mean) | $38,290 | $18.41 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Teacher Assistant Salary Overview
The BLS reports a 2024 median annual wage of $33,050 for teacher assistants, or $15.87 per hour.
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| 25th percentile | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Median (50th) | $33,050 | $15.87 |
| 75th percentile | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| 90th percentile | $50,000 | $24.04 |
Teacher Assistant Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $50,650 | $37,870 | $49,120 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $47,690 | $38,370 | $46,920 |
| 3 | California | $47,300 | $37,240 | $46,490 |
| 4 | Maine | $45,790 | $36,210 | $46,750 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $42,970 | $31,200 | $39,380 |
| 6 | Maryland | $42,630 | $31,200 | $37,060 |
| 7 | Vermont | $42,040 | $29,140 | $43,800 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $41,890 | $31,420 | $40,100 |
| 9 | New York | $41,720 | $32,240 | $38,240 |
| 10 | Oregon | $41,550 | $30,300 | $39,850 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $41,130 | $34,010 | $38,110 |
| 12 | Virginia | $40,960 | $28,220 | $38,520 |
| 13 | Delaware | $40,350 | $31,200 | $37,830 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $40,280 | $32,220 | $37,290 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $40,140 | $28,920 | $38,440 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $39,570 | $30,130 | $36,810 |
| 17 | Alaska | $39,010 | $27,440 | $37,190 |
| 18 | Illinois | $38,950 | $31,200 | $36,990 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $38,830 | $29,130 | $38,240 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $38,400 | $31,200 | $37,220 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $38,280 | $29,060 | $37,800 |
| 22 | Colorado | $38,100 | $30,800 | $35,760 |
| 23 | Utah | $37,680 | $27,730 | $37,050 |
| 24 | Missouri | $37,090 | $28,600 | $36,300 |
| 25 | Arizona | $36,760 | $30,960 | $35,900 |
| 26 | New Mexico | $36,610 | $27,050 | $35,900 |
| 27 | Idaho | $36,330 | $23,980 | $35,560 |
| 28 | Ohio | $36,030 | $26,810 | $35,920 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $35,410 | $27,840 | $36,100 |
| 30 | Michigan | $35,280 | $27,550 | $35,110 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $35,030 | $28,080 | $35,160 |
| 32 | Montana | $34,820 | $23,950 | $34,750 |
| 33 | Nevada | $34,780 | $27,880 | $31,900 |
| 34 | Florida | $34,420 | $28,490 | $34,430 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $34,360 | $23,380 | $34,740 |
| 36 | Indiana | $33,980 | $23,970 | $33,300 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $33,510 | $23,980 | $30,160 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $31,890 | $25,110 | $29,790 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $31,560 | $27,400 | $29,800 |
| 40 | Texas | $31,390 | $22,480 | $29,850 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $31,380 | $23,670 | $28,790 |
| 42 | Iowa | $31,160 | $22,400 | $30,510 |
| 43 | Tennessee | $30,660 | $22,010 | $29,210 |
| 44 | Kansas | $30,460 | $21,800 | $29,490 |
| 45 | Georgia | $30,150 | $21,190 | $28,770 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $30,150 | $21,910 | $27,860 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $29,520 | $24,800 | $28,220 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $28,690 | $20,680 | $27,400 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $28,150 | $17,940 | $27,920 |
| 50 | Alabama | $26,090 | $21,440 | $24,070 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $25,830 | $18,830 | $25,840 |
| — | National | $38,290 | $27,150 | $36,780 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Teacher Assistant Salary by School Setting
| School Setting | Median Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public Elementary School | $33,000 | Most common placement |
| Public Secondary School | $34,000 | |
| Special Education (Public) | $36,000 | IDEA paraprofessional premium |
| Private School | $28,000 | Typically lower than public; may lack union |
| Charter School | $30,000 | Varies widely by management organization |
| Head Start / Early Childhood | $29,000 | Federal program, varies by grantee |
How to Increase Earning Potential as a Teacher Assistant
- Pursue a teaching license: Most states allow paraprofessionals with enough college credits and experience to enter alternative certification pathways. Licensed teachers earn $50,000–$75,000+.
- Specialize in special education: Special education paraprofessionals and 1-on-1 aides for students with complex needs often earn at the higher end of the TA pay scale.
- Join a union: In districts with NEA or AFT representation, paraprofessional contracts set minimum wages above non-union counterparts.
- Earn an associate or bachelor’s degree: NCLB and IDEA require paraprofessionals in Title I schools to have at least 2 years of college, an associate degree, or pass a state/local assessment.
Related Profession Guides
- Average Teacher Salary
- How Much Do Teachers Make?
- How Much Do Special Education Teachers Make?
- How Much Do School Counselors Make?
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