SOC 25-9049.00
All teaching assistants not listed separately.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections · figures for the broader BLS group "Teaching assistants, except postsecondary"
Annual pay range
1,420,350 people work in this occupation.
In short
Teaching assistants in this category support teachers and students in various educational settings, earning a median annual salary of $36,780. They help manage classrooms, tutor students, and assist with lessons.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
All teaching assistants not listed separately.
These education professionals assist lead teachers with daily classroom tasks and student supervision. Often working under titles like tutor assistants, adult literacy teaching aides, or adult ESL teaching aides, they provide extra instruction to students who need help grasping the material.
To succeed in this role, individuals need strong instructional skills, active listening abilities, and a solid understanding of educational practices. The work requires a social and cooperative interest style, as these assistants spend their days communicating directly with students, teachers, and parents. Being dependable, patient, and adaptable is essential for managing classroom behaviors and supporting diverse learning needs.
Entering this field typically requires some college education, though specific requirements can vary by employer. Students interested in this path often major in teaching assistant or aide programs.
Depending on where you plan to work, you may need to meet state-specific guidelines. Some states list a license for this work, so it is important to check local regulations. Gaining experience through tutoring or volunteering in classrooms can also help prepare candidates for these positions.
The median annual pay for this occupation is $36,780, though earnings vary by experience and location. The lowest 10% of workers earn less than $27,150, while the highest 10% earn more than $50,040. These wage figures represent the broader group of teaching assistants, except postsecondary.
There are 1,420,350 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to experience little or no change, with a slight decline of -0.3%. Despite this flat growth, the field expects about 176,200 openings each year to replace departing workers.
Adult ESL TA (Adult English as a Second Language Teaching Aide) · Adult Literacy Teaching Aide (Adult Literacy TA) · Sunday School Teaching Aide (Sunday School TA) · Tutor Assistant
Career pathway
Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.
1Interests
2This career
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4Colleges
This career
Majors
Colleges
College Scorecard program outcomes
Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.
Brooklyn, NY · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
New York, NY · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
Brooklyn, NY · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
Bronx, NY · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
Louisville, KY · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
Thief River Falls, MN · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
Saint Cloud, MN · Teaching Assistants/Aides · Associate
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.
NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk
Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.
233 colleges offer it
CareerOneStop
What teaching assistants, all other may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.
Programs of study that prepare people for this work.
7 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.
Teacher Aides
Educational Tech (Levels I, II and III)
Division of Certification and Credentialing, Maine Department of Education
Instructional Support Providers
Offices and Programs, New Mexico Public Education Department
Support Providers
Offices and Programs, New Mexico Public Education Department
Certified Teacher Aide
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce
Teacher Assistants
Office of Educator Quality and Certification, RI Department of Education
Educational paraprofessional
Educational Aide I
Educational Aide II
Educational Aide III
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Your plan
Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Workers in this field are known by several names depending on their specific environment. Common job titles include tutor assistant, Sunday School teaching aide, adult literacy teaching aide, and adult ESL teaching aide.
A full four-year degree is typically not required for this career. The typical entry-level education needed is some college, and majoring in a teaching assistant program is a common path.
Licensing requirements depend entirely on where you live and work. Some states list a license for this occupation, so you should research the specific rules in your area.
Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.
Version 31.0
Version 2025-35 · Data year 2025
Version 2025 · Data year 2025
Version 2020 · Data year 2020
O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Page data updated November 6, 2026.