Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary Salary
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary earn a median $42,910 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
What teaching assistants, postsecondary do
Assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing instructional support activities, such as developing teaching materials, leading discussion groups, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers. Graduate students who teach one or more full courses should be classified in the 25-1000 minor group.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.7% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 25,700
Employment of teaching assistants, postsecondary is projected to grow 2.7% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 25,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,969
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,660
- Medicare (1.45%)$622
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$36,658
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 | $25,160 |
| 25th percentile | $35,270 | $16.96 | $30,519 |
| Median (50th) | $42,910 | $20.63 | $36,658 |
| 75th percentile | $60,510 | $29.09 | $50,800 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,420 | $36.74 | $62,591 |
Best cities for teaching assistants, postsecondary (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College Station, TX | $57,790 | $48,614 | $53,451 | 4,370 |
| 2 | Sacramento, CA | $61,780 | $49,261 | $46,181 | 4,800 |
| 3 | Champaign, IL | $50,110 | $40,108 | $43,264 | 2,480 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $58,330 | $46,703 | $42,893 | 4,290 |
| 5 | Madison, WI | $47,990 | $39,409 | $40,508 | 2,420 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $49,810 | $41,166 | $39,845 | 4,450 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $49,760 | $39,894 | $36,848 | 2,500 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $38,490 | $33,107 | $33,567 | 2,730 |
| 9 | San Diego, CA | $45,120 | $37,053 | $33,117 | 2,400 |
| 10 | New York, NY | $45,100 | $36,579 | $32,497 | 12,430 |
| 11 | Ann Arbor, MI | $38,990 | $32,102 | $31,822 | 12,860 |
| 12 | Hartford, CT | $38,440 | $32,262 | $31,400 | 2,760 |
| 13 | Los Angeles, CA | $39,940 | $33,166 | $29,204 | 5,990 |
| 14 | Chicago, IL | $35,760 | $29,288 | $28,271 | 8,860 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Sacramento, CA — $61,780
- Washington, DC — $58,330
- College Station, TX — $57,790
- Champaign, IL — $50,110
- Phoenix, AZ — $49,810
- Boston, MA — $49,760
- Madison, WI — $47,990
- San Diego, CA — $45,120
- New York, NY — $45,100
- Los Angeles, CA — $39,940
- Ann Arbor, MI — $38,990
- Houston, TX — $38,490
- Hartford, CT — $38,440
- Chicago, IL — $35,760
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $58,330 | +3.9% | $46,641 | $40,460 – $75,980 | 5,030 |
| Massachusetts | $56,370 | +19.9% | $44,875 | $32,890 – $77,920 | 3,040 |
| Texas | $55,670 | +19.9% | $46,911 | $23,660 – $64,160 | 13,540 |
| New Jersey | $54,260 | −11.9% | $44,328 | $35,940 – $81,120 | 3,390 |
| Minnesota | $53,380 | +6.2% | $42,964 | $24,450 – $61,780 | 600 |
| Utah | $52,300 | +74.3% | $42,816 | $26,730 – $76,910 | 2,020 |
| Washington | $50,460 | +5.0% | $42,725 | $34,650 – $64,740 | 1,480 |
| North Carolina | $50,050 | +21.5% | $40,907 | $33,130 – $73,980 | 2,900 |
| North Dakota | $49,960 | −1.2% | $42,323 | $36,960 – $59,080 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $49,920 | +29.2% | $40,590 | $29,120 – $60,230 | 1,680 |
| Virginia | $49,890 | +1.0% | $40,212 | $31,670 – $80,310 | 1,660 |
| Arizona | $49,810 | +25.9% | $41,166 | $30,900 – $74,830 | 7,200 |
| Kentucky | $49,680 | +4.2% | $40,477 | $31,270 – $80,200 | 990 |
| Oregon | $49,550 | +14.4% | $38,487 | $38,970 – $80,570 | 880 |
| Rhode Island | $49,420 | +11.3% | $40,653 | $31,200 – $64,880 | 50 |
| California | $49,140 | −2.4% | $40,027 | $35,460 – $77,440 | 19,120 |
| Georgia | $48,800 | +29.3% | $39,481 | $21,900 – $73,190 | 2,470 |
| Ohio | $48,710 | −35.6% | $40,761 | $23,600 – $92,200 | 2,210 |
| Vermont | $48,620 | +4.9% | $40,051 | $35,030 – $59,510 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $48,270 | +4.2% | $39,857 | $34,400 – $65,100 | 370 |
| Wisconsin | $47,990 | +4.2% | $39,409 | $30,670 – $58,740 | 4,210 |
| Maine | $47,210 | +6.2% | $38,108 | $36,910 – $74,780 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $46,760 | +53.2% | $38,103 | $19,630 – $60,510 | 2,730 |
| New York | $43,610 | −8.0% | $35,463 | $34,680 – $75,190 | 17,390 |
| District of Columbia | $43,160 | +9.2% | $35,435 | $36,400 – $73,370 | 130 |
| Kansas | $41,580 | −5.4% | $34,069 | $16,640 – $57,270 | 640 |
| South Dakota | $39,840 | +30.8% | $34,191 | $27,620 – $65,130 | 460 |
| Michigan | $39,830 | +3.6% | $32,741 | $33,240 – $76,420 | 18,440 |
| Nebraska | $39,650 | −17.7% | $33,114 | $28,080 – $69,680 | 730 |
| Iowa | $38,960 | −3.7% | $32,656 | $22,790 – $66,080 | 560 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,020 | −0.7% | $31,562 | $21,060 – $60,130 | 2,480 |
| Louisiana | $37,950 | +60.1% | $31,921 | $21,380 – $59,880 | 440 |
| Florida | $37,770 | +21.4% | $32,528 | $35,080 – $44,270 | 9,130 |
| Colorado | $37,450 | +4.2% | $31,332 | $32,430 – $81,240 | 530 |
| Idaho | $37,310 | −4.7% | $31,289 | $27,430 – $71,400 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $36,950 | +23.2% | $31,869 | $22,580 – $45,270 | 300 |
| Illinois | $36,040 | −0.2% | $29,499 | $31,850 – $96,230 | 12,340 |
| West Virginia | $35,960 | +3.8% | $30,109 | $28,880 – $36,990 | 40 |
| Alaska | $35,790 | +46.7% | $30,937 | $31,550 – $40,360 | 70 |
| Indiana | $34,910 | −9.2% | $29,230 | $20,850 – $62,290 | 1,940 |
| Montana | $30,070 | +3.1% | $25,685 | $21,940 – $61,620 | 380 |
| New Hampshire | $26,810 | −40.8% | $23,688 | $22,860 – $48,190 | 480 |
| Nevada | $24,960 | −19.9% | $22,165 | $24,960 – $24,960 | 540 |
| Arkansas | $23,140 | −13.9% | $19,976 | $22,880 – $35,530 | 2,600 |
| Alabama | $22,600 | +3.9% | $19,356 | $17,730 – $37,510 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $36,780 | Some college, no degree | -0.3% |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $50,890 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Farm and Home Management Educator | $60,220 | Master's degree | -3.2% |
| Instructional Coordinator | $77,440 | Master's degree | +1.6% |
| Tutor | $43,350 | Some college, no degree | -0.2% |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree | +2.0% |
| Library Technician | $44,580 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -6.4% |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $46,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $38,140 | Associate's degree | +4.5% |
| Museum Technician and Conservator | $51,440 | Bachelor's degree | +3.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a teaching assistants, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for teaching assistants, postsecondary is $42,910 a year ($20.63 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,600 and the top 10% earn over $76,420. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays teaching assistants, postsecondary the most?
Maryland has the highest median pay at $58,330. After taxes and local prices, College Station, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many teaching assistants, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 164,090 people work as teaching assistants, postsecondary nationwide.