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.
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
SOC: 25-9044 O*NET: 25-9044.00
Median Salary
$44,930
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
24.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$28,020
10th percentile
Early Career
$32,640
25th percentile
Median
$44,930
50th percentile
Experienced
$60,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$73,560
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$28,020
25th
$32,640
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,930
Mean: $47,560
75th
$60,410
90th
$73,560
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $45,540 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $32,640 and $60,410
- •Salary spread is 61.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 155,010 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:193,600
Top Industries
Educational Services22.1%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools21.3%
Other Services (except Public Administration)0.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.1%
Annual Openings:24,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)193,600
Current
2034 (Projected)199,600
+3.1%
+6,000
Employment Change
+3.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
26,370 jobs$50,3301.45x
Michigan
18,240 jobs$38,4504.13x
New York
14,290 jobs$47,4001.49x
Texas
13,960 jobs$46,4401.00x
Illinois
11,860 jobs$36,1201.95x
Arizona
6,630 jobs$39,5702.06x
Maryland
5,600 jobs$56,1402.03x
Connecticut
3,800 jobs$62,8802.25x
Wisconsin
3,790 jobs$46,0501.29x
Massachusetts
3,390 jobs$47,0000.93x
Pennsylvania
3,370 jobs$38,2900.56x
New Jersey
3,140 jobs$61,5600.74x
Florida
3,120 jobs$31,1000.32x
Arkansas
2,720 jobs$26,8902.10x
Georgia
2,230 jobs$37,7300.46x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Instructing
80%
#5
Learning Strategies
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Service Orientation
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Instructing
intermediate4.0
80%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Instructing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School82%
5 shared skills
Teaching Assistants, Special Education82%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors67%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants67%
5 shared skills
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary67%
5 shared skills
Business Teachers, Postsecondary67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Instructing
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Instructing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Learning Strategies
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
IBM SPSS Statistics
🔥 Hot TechSAS
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechGoogle Docs
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Structured query language SQL
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (10)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Training & Development (5)Planning & Development (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Prepare or proctor examinations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Notify instructors of errors or problems with assignments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development82% perform88%
8
Meet with supervisors to discuss students' grades or to complete required grade-related paperwork.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Copy and distribute classroom materials.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Demonstrate use of laboratory equipment and enforce laboratory rules.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary professionals typically have a SCI Holland code and highly value achievement
SSocial
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.62
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.41
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.36
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.26
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.26
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.18
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.6
Dependability
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Leadership
4.2
Initiative
4.1
Independence
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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