### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Teacher Assistants Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                    
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            									
							
				                                                
                                            




            			teacher assistants imageTeacher assistants work under the supervision of a teacher and provide additional attention and instruction to students.							
						Quick Facts:     Teacher Assistants2023     Median Pay
            						$35,550     per yearTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Some college, no degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    1,298,900Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    0% (Little or no change)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    900What Teacher Assistants Do
                                                
                        
                        
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Teacher assistants typically work in schools, at childcare centers, and for religious organizations. Most work full time, although part-time work is common. They generally do not work during the summer.
            
                                                How to Become a Teacher Assistant
                                                
                        
To enter the occupation, teacher assistants typically need to have completed at least 2 years of college coursework.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for teacher assistants was $35,550 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change							 from 2022 to 2032.
						Despite  limited  employment growth, about 151,000 openings for teacher assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for teacher assistants.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of teacher assistants with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about teacher assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Teacher Assistants Do 
            

			Teacher assistantsSome teacher assistants work exclusively with special education students who attend traditional classes.			
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
Duties
Teacher assistants typically do the following:
Reinforce lessons by reviewing material with students one-on-one or in small groups
Follow school and class rules to teach students proper behavior
Help teachers with recordkeeping, such as taking attendance and calculating grades
Get equipment or materials ready to help teachers prepare for lessons
Supervise students outside of the classroom, such as between classes, during lunch and recess, and on field tripsTeacher assistants also are called *teacher aides*, *instructional aides*, *paraprofessionals*, *education assistants*, and *paraeducators*.
Teacher assistants work with or under the guidance of a licensed teacher. Reviewing with students individually or in small groups, teacher assistants help reinforce the lessons that teachers introduce.
Teacher assistants may provide feedback to teachers for monitoring student progress. Some teacher assistants meet regularly with teachers to discuss lesson plans and students’ development.
Some teacher assistants work only with special education students.  When special education students attend regular classes, these teacher assistants help them understand the material and adapt the information to their learning style. Teacher assistants may also work with students who have severe disabilities in separate classrooms. They help these students with basic needs, such as eating or personal hygiene. Teacher assistants may help young adults with disabilities to learn skills necessary for finding a job or living independently after graduation.
Some teacher assistants help in specific areas. For example, they may work in a computer laboratory, helping students use programs or software. Others may work as cafeteria attendants, supervising students during lunchtime.
Teacher assistants in childcare centers work with a lead teacher to provide individualized attention that young children need. They help with educational activities, supervise the children at play, and help with feeding and other basic care.
 Work Environment
			Teacher assistantsSome teacher assistants work in specific locations within schools, such as libraries.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Teacher assistants held about 1.3 million jobs in 2022. The largest employers of teacher assistants were as follows:
        Elementary and secondary schools; local
                73%Child day care services
                10Elementary and secondary schools; private
                9Teacher assistants may spend some time outside, when students are at recess or getting on and off the bus. They may need to lift the students at certain times.
Injuries and Illnesses
Teacher assistants sometimes get injured on the job. They actively work with students, including lifting and otherwise assisting special education students, which can place them at risk for injuries such as strains.
Work Schedules
Most teacher assistants work full time, although part-time work is common. Some monitor students on school buses before and after school. Many teacher assistants do not work during the summer; however, some work in year-round schools or assist teachers in summer school.
 How to Become a Teacher Assistant

			Teacher assistantsTeacher assistants reinforce lessons presented in class by reviewing material with students one-on-one or in small groups.			
To enter the occupation, teacher assistants typically need to have completed at least 2 years of college coursework.
Education
Teacher assistants in public schools need at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate’s degree. Those who work in schools with a Title 1 program (a federal program for schools that have a large proportion of students from low-income households) must have at least a 2-year degree, 2 years of college, or pass a state or local assessment.
Associate’s degree programs for teacher assistants prepare participants to develop educational materials, observe students, and understand the role of teaching assistants in working with classroom teachers.
Some teacher assistants have a bachelor's degree in fields such as education and psychology.
Most states require teacher assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some jobs may require staff to have certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills.*** Teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.
***Interpersonal skills.*** Teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
***Patience.*** Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult. Teacher assistants must be understanding with students.
***Resourcefulness.*** Teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles.
Advancement
Teacher assistants may become a kindergarten and elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, or special education teacher upon obtaining additional education, training, and a license or certification.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Teacher AssistantsMedian annual wages, May 2023Total, all occupations$48,060  Other educational instruction and library occupations$37,330  Teaching assistants, except postsecondary$35,550Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for teacher assistants was $35,550 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,200, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $48,870.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for teacher assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Elementary and secondary schools; local
                $36,130Elementary and secondary schools; private
                35,480Child day care services
                31,060Most teacher assistants work full time, although part-time work is common. Some monitor students on school buses before and after school. Many teacher assistants do not work during the summer; however, some work in year-round schools or assist teachers in summer school.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Teacher AssistantsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Total, all occupations3%  Other educational instruction and library occupations1%  Teaching assistants, except postsecondary0%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change				 from 2022 to 2032.
			
			Despite  limited  employment growth, about 151,000 openings for teacher assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Teacher assistants’ employment opportunities may depend on school districts’ budgets. Schools may be more likely to eliminate positions for teacher assistants when there is a budget shortfall, and they may be more likely to hire teacher assistants when there is a budget surplus.
			

                        Employment projections data for     teacher assistants, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Teaching assistants, except postsecondary**
			25-9045
			1,298,900
			1,299,800
			0
			900
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of teacher assistants. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Career and Technical Education Teachers**
            Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts.
            Bachelor's degree
            $63,580**Childcare Workers**
            Childcare workers attend to children's needs while helping to foster early development.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $30,370**High School Teachers**
            High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,220**Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers**
            Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
            Bachelor's degree
            $63,670**Library Technicians and Assistants**
            Library technicians and assistants help librarians with all aspects of running a library.
            See How to Become One
            $36,700**Middle School Teachers**
            Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,290**Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides**
            Occupational therapy assistants and aides help patients develop, recover, improve, as well as maintain the skills needed for daily living and working.
            See How to Become One
            $65,450**Preschool Teachers**
            Preschool teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten.
            Associate's degree
            $37,130**Special Education Teachers**
            Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,910
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about teacher assistants, visit
National Education Association
American Federation of Teachers
National Resource Center for Paraeducators

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Teaching Assistants, All OtherTeaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special EducationTeaching Assistants, Special Education
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Teacher Assistants, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/teacher-assistants.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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