There are more than enough qualified applicants in most areas, but sometimes there are shortages of aides who have experience in special education or who can speak foreign languages. In California, the fast growing number of students who speak English as a second language should increase the need for aides who have bilingual skills. Some school districts pay aides in special education programs slightly higher wages. Teacher Aides in these programs experience a high turnover rate because they find that work with mentally and physically disabled students may be too difficult or challenging for them. School districts in Los Angeles and San Francisco tend to pay the highest wages.
Aides usually work part-time from three to six hours a day.
There are not many eight hour jobs. Some aides are covered by union contracts and have health benefits, but many part-time aides do not receive pensions, health insurance, or other benefits. The educational Teacher Aides need can be very different. Some schools require a high school diploma, while other schools expect aides to have some college course work, especially if they will work in special education programs. Following state law, all schools require applicants to pass a test in reading, language, and math.