Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Teaching assistants, except postsecondary (SOC 25-9045) employed 1,420,350 people in May 2025. The median pay is $36,780 a year (n/a an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,150 and the highest-paid 10% more than $50,040. BLS projects its employment to change by -0.3% between 2025 and 2035 (about 176,200 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Some college, no degree.
Highest median pay: Washington ($49,120), District of Columbia ($46,920), Maine ($46,750). Most jobs: California (177,140), New York (137,820), Texas (108,960).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| 25th percentile | $31,060 | $14.93 |
| Median | $36,780 | n/a |
| Mean | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| 75th percentile | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $50,040 | $24.06 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 1,463,000 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 1,458,000 |
| Change in jobs | -4,900 |
| Percent change | -0.3% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 176,200 |
| Self-employed share | 0.1% |
| Typical entry education | Some college, no degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 10,140 | 0.53 | $24,070 | $21,440 | $30,590 | -35% | 54% |
| Alaska | 3,810 | 1.28 | $37,190 | $27,440 | $57,210 | +1% | 47% |
| Arizona | 25,280 | 0.85 | $35,900 | $30,960 | $42,590 | -2% | 56% |
| Arkansas | 11,270 | 0.95 | $28,790 | $23,670 | $38,360 | -22% | 41% |
| California | 177,140 | 1.06 | $46,490 | $37,240 | $59,520 | +26% | 54% |
| Colorado | 21,910 | 0.83 | $35,760 | $30,800 | $48,470 | -3% | 61% |
| Connecticut | 19,740 | 1.27 | $38,110 | $34,010 | $49,690 | +4% | 49% |
| Delaware | 5,040 | 1.14 | $37,830 | $31,200 | $47,300 | +3% | 49% |
| District of Columbia | 3,950 | 0.62 | $46,920 | $38,370 | $58,100 | +28% | 49% |
| Florida | 54,530 | 0.60 | $34,430 | $28,490 | $40,150 | -6% | 63% |
| Georgia | 33,410 | 0.75 | $28,770 | $21,190 | $39,120 | -22% | 63% |
| Hawaii | 5,470 | 0.95 | $36,810 | $30,130 | $46,990 | +0% | 63% |
| Idaho | 8,710 | 1.11 | $35,560 | $23,980 | $48,800 | -3% | 47% |
| Illinois | 64,210 | 1.15 | $36,990 | $31,200 | $48,100 | +1% | 43% |
| Indiana | 28,450 | 0.97 | $33,300 | $23,970 | $44,610 | -9% | 40% |
| Iowa | 24,520 | 1.72 | $30,510 | $22,400 | $37,520 | -17% | 39% |
| Kansas | 20,000 | 1.52 | $29,490 | $21,800 | $38,190 | -20% | 44% |
| Kentucky | 16,330 | 0.89 | $30,160 | $23,980 | $46,370 | -18% | 40% |
| Louisiana | 14,530 | 0.82 | $27,400 | $20,680 | $38,620 | -26% | 47% |
| Maine | 8,700 | 1.49 | $46,750 | $36,210 | $56,920 | +27% | 31% |
| Maryland | 23,340 | 0.92 | $37,060 | $31,200 | $59,680 | +1% | 56% |
| Massachusetts | 39,210 | 1.18 | $39,380 | $31,200 | $59,970 | +7% | 56% |
| Michigan | 39,030 | 0.97 | $35,110 | $27,550 | $45,370 | -5% | 40% |
| Minnesota | 38,540 | 1.43 | $40,100 | $31,420 | $50,410 | +9% | 39% |
| Mississippi | 9,750 | 0.92 | $25,840 | $18,830 | $32,300 | -30% | 46% |
| Missouri | 20,930 | 0.78 | $36,300 | $28,600 | $47,310 | -1% | 35% |
| Montana | 3,930 | 0.84 | $34,750 | $23,950 | $45,430 | -6% | 41% |
| Nebraska | 11,190 | 1.20 | $35,160 | $28,080 | $45,110 | -4% | 38% |
| Nevada | 7,100 | 0.50 | $31,900 | $27,880 | $41,640 | -13% | 64% |
| New Hampshire | 7,880 | 1.26 | $38,440 | $28,920 | $48,780 | +5% | 49% |
| New Jersey | 55,580 | 1.42 | $37,290 | $32,220 | $49,580 | +1% | 58% |
| New Mexico | 8,970 | 1.13 | $35,900 | $27,050 | $46,390 | -2% | 37% |
| New York | 137,820 | 1.56 | $38,240 | $32,240 | $54,990 | +4% | 51% |
| North Carolina | 32,150 | 0.71 | $29,790 | $25,110 | $38,050 | -19% | 54% |
| North Dakota | 5,600 | 1.43 | $38,240 | $29,130 | $46,260 | +4% | 31% |
| Ohio | 47,300 | 0.93 | $35,920 | $26,810 | $46,890 | -2% | 36% |
| Oklahoma | 13,860 | 0.89 | $27,920 | $17,940 | $37,370 | -24% | 45% |
| Oregon | 23,030 | 1.28 | $39,850 | $30,300 | $50,860 | +8% | 48% |
| Pennsylvania | 48,310 | 0.87 | $34,740 | $23,380 | $45,980 | -6% | 43% |
| Rhode Island | 5,200 | 1.14 | $37,220 | $31,200 | $47,720 | +1% | 46% |
| South Carolina | 14,410 | 0.68 | $27,860 | $21,910 | $44,290 | -24% | 55% |
| South Dakota | 4,650 | 1.11 | $28,220 | $24,800 | $35,410 | -23% | 42% |
| Tennessee | 23,280 | 0.78 | $29,210 | $22,010 | $40,310 | -21% | 53% |
| Texas | 108,960 | 0.85 | $29,850 | $22,480 | $42,520 | -19% | 59% |
| Utah | 18,170 | 1.15 | $37,050 | $27,730 | $47,400 | +1% | 52% |
| Vermont | 4,960 | 1.79 | $43,800 | $29,140 | $51,580 | +19% | 36% |
| Virginia | 31,370 | 0.84 | $38,520 | $28,220 | $57,030 | +5% | 51% |
| Washington | 43,420 | 1.34 | $49,120 | $37,870 | $62,810 | +34% | 45% |
| West Virginia | 5,110 | 0.80 | $29,800 | $27,400 | $36,750 | -19% | 36% |
| Wisconsin | 26,520 | 0.99 | $37,800 | $29,060 | $46,270 | +3% | 36% |
| Wyoming | 3,680 | 1.44 | $36,100 | $27,840 | $44,040 | -2% | 33% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 870 | $57,950 | $39,470 | $62,920 | 1.82 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 21,040 | $53,950 | $39,450 | $64,450 | 1.10 |
| Bellingham, WA | 1,200 | $51,670 | $38,510 | $57,400 | 1.44 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 1,700 | $51,350 | $36,440 | $57,810 | 1.43 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 1,370 | $50,530 | $38,360 | $61,270 | 1.60 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 18,710 | $49,360 | $40,320 | $62,910 | 0.86 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 7,240 | $49,010 | $39,170 | $63,230 | 0.70 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 3,170 | $48,770 | $38,490 | $60,210 | 1.20 |
| Decatur, IL | 550 | $48,480 | $31,200 | $62,870 | 1.33 |
| Napa, CA | 530 | $48,450 | $38,590 | $61,190 | 0.74 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 1,930 | $48,270 | $39,080 | $59,460 | 1.03 |
| Vallejo, CA | 1,630 | $48,200 | $38,610 | $59,320 | 1.24 |
| Salinas, CA | 2,290 | $48,030 | $38,660 | $59,930 | 1.34 |
| Modesto, CA | 3,470 | $47,990 | $37,760 | $58,650 | 1.95 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 3,870 | $47,860 | $37,930 | $58,580 | 1.31 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 1,060 | $47,430 | $38,080 | $60,190 | 1.18 |
| Yakima, WA | 2,150 | $47,380 | $36,420 | $60,840 | 2.42 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 820 | $47,120 | $37,870 | $57,180 | 1.88 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 2,360 | $46,540 | $38,060 | $57,390 | 1.29 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 13,260 | $46,440 | $36,540 | $56,870 | 0.94 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 1,270 | $46,410 | $37,010 | $57,030 | 1.14 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 22,500 | $46,330 | $37,400 | $57,160 | 1.43 |
| Pueblo, CO | 530 | $46,280 | $30,800 | $58,700 | 0.95 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 53,010 | $46,240 | $37,220 | $60,010 | 0.93 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 25,050 | $46,200 | $34,470 | $61,880 | 0.87 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 11,110 | $45,990 | $37,940 | $58,030 | 1.13 |
| Yuba City, CA | 1,220 | $45,880 | $37,140 | $57,040 | 2.62 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 1,080 | $45,780 | $37,590 | $56,480 | 2.42 |
| Chico, CA | 1,220 | $45,660 | $36,440 | $55,680 | 1.71 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 3,500 | $45,550 | $37,810 | $55,600 | 1.32 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 2,450 | $45,510 | $37,440 | $50,950 | 2.07 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 710 | $45,400 | $39,880 | $49,390 | 1.90 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 830 | $45,370 | $37,210 | $56,020 | 1.77 |
| Fresno, CA | 6,530 | $45,340 | $36,710 | $57,240 | 1.50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 23,370 | $45,310 | $33,360 | $54,580 | 1.31 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 12,500 | $45,280 | $31,360 | $57,180 | 1.13 |
| Visalia, CA | 2,760 | $45,230 | $36,510 | $55,410 | 1.77 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 330 | $45,140 | $38,800 | $47,600 | 1.40 |
| Bangor, ME | 1,030 | $45,120 | $35,600 | $49,570 | 1.56 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 1,520 | $44,730 | $29,140 | $55,430 | 1.38 |
| Merced, CA | 1,950 | $44,680 | $36,780 | $55,890 | 2.69 |
| Redding, CA | 1,030 | $44,430 | $36,320 | $53,810 | 1.58 |
| Bismarck, ND | 850 | $44,110 | $36,770 | $44,570 | 1.31 |
| El Centro, CA | 1,110 | $43,970 | $36,350 | $57,760 | 1.86 |
| Bend, OR | 1,170 | $43,550 | $30,460 | $55,040 | 1.19 |
| Greeley, CO | 1,040 | $42,460 | $30,800 | $58,030 | 0.95 |
| Rochester, MN | 1,460 | $41,250 | $31,520 | $46,850 | 1.30 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 26,350 | $40,930 | $31,200 | $60,730 | 1.07 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 1,020 | $40,930 | $26,950 | $46,390 | 1.39 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | 640 | $40,280 | $29,460 | $51,440 | 0.96 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 2,270 | $40,180 | $31,710 | $47,940 | 1.57 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 3,090 | $40,160 | $35,290 | $49,690 | 1.32 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 830 | $40,110 | $31,200 | $48,550 | 1.61 |
| Farmington, NM | 560 | $39,960 | $27,090 | $47,580 | 1.29 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 2,080 | $39,960 | $28,830 | $50,190 | 0.79 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 530 | $39,870 | $34,920 | $45,880 | 0.87 |
| Madison, WI | 3,280 | $39,640 | $30,070 | $50,950 | 0.88 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 930 | $39,630 | $31,200 | $53,930 | 1.54 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 1,590 | $39,510 | $30,380 | $47,570 | 1.40 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 910 | $39,430 | $33,920 | $46,470 | 0.57 |
The median is $36,780 a year (n/a an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $27,150 and the highest-paid tenth over $50,040 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
1,420,350 in May 2025, and BLS projects -0.3% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Some college, no degree (BLS).
Washington, with a median of $49,120 (among states with published figures).