Teaching Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Teaching Assistants Make?
Teaching Assistants earn a median annual salary of $44,930 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $28,020 at the 10th percentile to $73,560 at the 90th percentile — a range of $45,540. The highest-paying state is Ohio at $75,610.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,020 |
| 25th percentile | $32,640 |
| Median (50th) | $44,930 |
| 75th percentile | $60,410 |
| 90th percentile | $73,560 |
Teaching Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Ohiotop | $75,610 |
| Connecticut | $62,880 |
| New Jersey | $61,560 |
| Maryland | $56,140 |
| North Dakota | $50,570 |
| California | $50,330 |
| Minnesota | $50,260 |
| Virginia | $49,420 |
| Nebraska | $48,180 |
| Washington | $48,080 |
| Kentucky | $47,680 |
| New York | $47,400 |
| Massachusetts | $47,000 |
| Texas | $46,440 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| New Mexico | $46,330 |
| Wisconsin | $46,050 |
| New Hampshire | $45,280 |
| Maine | $44,450 |
| Rhode Island | $44,390 |
| Kansas | $43,950 |
| Oregon | $43,320 |
| North Carolina | $41,180 |
| Iowa | $40,450 |
| Arizona | $39,570 |
| District of Columbia | $39,510 |
| Idaho | $39,160 |
| Oklahoma | $38,650 |
| Michigan | $38,450 |
| Indiana | $38,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,290 |
| Missouri | $38,100 |
| Georgia | $37,730 |
| Hawaii | $36,360 |
| Illinois | $36,120 |
| Colorado | $35,940 |
| West Virginia | $34,630 |
| Nevada | $31,160 |
| Florida | $31,100 |
| South Carolina | $30,520 |
| South Dakota | $30,450 |
| Utah | $30,010 |
| Tennessee | $30,000 |
| Montana | $29,160 |
| Arkansas | $26,890 |
| Alaska | $24,400 |
| Louisiana | $23,700 |
| Alabama | $21,750 |
| Mississippi | $18,670 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$28,020 – $32,640 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$44,930 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$60,410 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $73,560+ |
How to Earn More as a Teaching Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Teaching Assistants in Cleveland, OH earn $80,210 — $35,280 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($60,410) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
Want to see if a different career pays more for your skills? PathScorer maps your experience against hundreds of occupations and shows you where you're most competitive. Try it free →
Teaching Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Teaching Assistantthis career | $44,930 |
| Mathematical Science Teacher | $79,350 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $83,460 |
| Psychology Teacher | $80,330 |
| Sociology Teacher | $82,540 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
PathScorer compares your skills to Teaching Assistant requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.
See how your skills compare — freeFrequently Asked Questions
SOC: 25-9044.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.