Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Teaching assistants, postsecondary (SOC 25-9044) employed 164,090 people in May 2025. The median pay is $42,910 a year (n/a an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,600 and the highest-paid 10% more than $76,420. BLS projects its employment to change by +2.7% between 2025 and 2035 (about 25,700 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: Maryland ($58,330), Massachusetts ($56,370), Texas ($55,670). Most jobs: California (19,120), Michigan (18,440), New York (17,390).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Median | $42,910 | n/a |
| Mean | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| 75th percentile | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
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 | 205,500 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 211,000 |
| Change in jobs | 5,500 |
| Percent change | +2.7% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 25,700 |
| Self-employed share | 0.1% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's 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 ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 70 | 0.22 | $35,790 | $31,550 | $40,360 | -17% | 48% |
| Arizona | 7,200 | 2.11 | $49,810 | $30,900 | $74,830 | +16% | 40% |
| Arkansas | 2,600 | 1.89 | $23,140 | $22,880 | $35,530 | -46% | 51% |
| California | 19,120 | 0.99 | $49,140 | $35,460 | $77,440 | +15% | 51% |
| Colorado | 530 | 0.18 | $37,450 | $32,430 | $81,240 | -13% | 58% |
| Connecticut | 4,700 | 2.62 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| District of Columbia | 130 | 0.17 | $43,160 | $36,400 | $73,370 | +1% | 54% |
| Florida | 9,130 | 0.87 | $37,770 | $35,080 | $44,270 | -12% | 58% |
| Georgia | 2,470 | 0.48 | $48,800 | $21,900 | $73,190 | +14% | 37% |
| Idaho | 220 | 0.24 | $37,310 | $27,430 | $71,400 | -13% | 45% |
| Illinois | 12,340 | 1.92 | $36,040 | $31,850 | $96,230 | -16% | 44% |
| Indiana | 1,940 | 0.58 | $34,910 | $20,850 | $62,290 | -19% | 38% |
| Iowa | 560 | 0.34 | $38,960 | $22,790 | $66,080 | -9% | 30% |
| Kansas | 640 | 0.42 | $41,580 | $16,640 | $57,270 | -3% | 31% |
| Kentucky | 990 | 0.47 | $49,680 | $31,270 | $80,200 | +16% | 24% |
| Louisiana | 440 | 0.22 | $37,950 | $21,380 | $59,880 | -12% | 34% |
| Maine | 90 | 0.13 | $47,210 | $36,910 | $74,780 | +10% | 31% |
| Maryland | 5,030 | 1.73 | $58,330 | $40,460 | $75,980 | +36% | 35% |
| Massachusetts | 3,040 | 0.79 | $56,370 | $32,890 | $77,920 | +31% | 39% |
| Michigan | 18,440 | 3.97 | $39,830 | $33,240 | $76,420 | -7% | 35% |
| Minnesota | 600 | 0.19 | $53,380 | $24,450 | $61,780 | +24% | 29% |
| Mississippi | 390 | 0.32 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Montana | 380 | 0.71 | $30,070 | $21,940 | $61,620 | -30% | 47% |
| Nebraska | 730 | 0.67 | $39,650 | $28,080 | $69,680 | -8% | 33% |
| Nevada | 540 | 0.33 | $24,960 | $24,960 | $24,960 | -42% | 82% |
| New Hampshire | 480 | 0.66 | $26,810 | $22,860 | $48,190 | -38% | 70% |
| New Jersey | 3,390 | 0.75 | $54,260 | $35,940 | $81,120 | +26% | 40% |
| New Mexico | 370 | 0.41 | $48,270 | $34,400 | $65,100 | +12% | 28% |
| New York | 17,390 | 1.70 | $43,610 | $34,680 | $75,190 | +2% | 45% |
| North Carolina | 2,900 | 0.56 | $50,050 | $33,130 | $73,980 | +17% | 32% |
| North Dakota | 90 | 0.19 | $49,960 | $36,960 | $59,080 | +16% | 24% |
| Ohio | 2,210 | 0.38 | $48,710 | $23,600 | $92,200 | +14% | 27% |
| Oklahoma | 1,680 | 0.93 | $49,920 | $29,120 | $60,230 | +16% | 25% |
| Oregon | 880 | 0.43 | $49,550 | $38,970 | $80,570 | +15% | 39% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,480 | 0.39 | $38,020 | $21,060 | $60,130 | -11% | 40% |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 0.10 | $49,420 | $31,200 | $64,880 | +15% | 34% |
| South Carolina | 2,730 | 1.12 | $46,760 | $19,630 | $60,510 | +9% | 33% |
| South Dakota | 460 | 0.96 | $39,840 | $27,620 | $65,130 | -7% | 30% |
| Tennessee | 300 | 0.09 | $36,950 | $22,580 | $45,270 | -14% | 42% |
| Texas | 13,540 | 0.91 | $55,670 | $23,660 | $64,160 | +30% | 32% |
| Utah | 2,020 | 1.10 | $52,300 | $26,730 | $76,910 | +22% | 37% |
| Vermont | 60 | 0.18 | $48,620 | $35,030 | $59,510 | +13% | 33% |
| Virginia | 1,660 | 0.38 | $49,890 | $31,670 | $80,310 | +16% | 40% |
| Washington | 1,480 | 0.39 | $50,460 | $34,650 | $64,740 | +18% | 43% |
| West Virginia | 40 | 0.05 | $35,960 | $28,880 | $36,990 | -16% | 29% |
| Wisconsin | 4,210 | 1.36 | $47,990 | $30,670 | $58,740 | +12% | 29% |
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 ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canton-Massillon, OH | 310 | $78,510 | $43,820 | $98,620 | 1.82 |
| Lubbock, TX | 1,830 | $64,160 | $39,950 | $80,840 | 10.37 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 4,800 | $61,780 | $61,780 | $77,440 | 4.21 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 330 | $61,540 | $44,670 | $79,080 | 0.58 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 4,290 | $58,330 | $52,930 | $75,980 | 1.30 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 1,290 | $57,930 | $28,810 | $76,910 | 1.48 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 4,370 | $57,790 | $29,910 | $62,390 | 30.88 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 470 | $52,660 | $24,450 | $61,120 | 0.23 |
| Springfield, MO | 670 | $50,920 | $30,970 | $82,870 | 2.84 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 2,110 | $50,820 | $31,340 | $81,610 | 9.19 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 640 | $50,310 | $34,320 | $81,090 | 3.01 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 2,480 | $50,110 | $31,850 | $81,280 | 22.30 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 860 | $50,050 | $32,770 | $82,760 | 0.60 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 400 | $50,050 | $39,510 | $62,970 | 1.03 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 1,420 | $49,920 | $31,070 | $60,230 | 1.98 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 4,450 | $49,810 | $34,580 | $80,280 | 1.78 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 2,500 | $49,760 | $32,840 | $77,920 | 0.87 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 730 | $49,550 | $40,840 | $80,570 | 0.57 |
| Columbus, OH | 830 | $48,710 | $30,990 | $57,950 | 0.71 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 510 | $48,380 | $34,650 | $61,550 | 0.23 |
| Madison, WI | 2,420 | $47,990 | $47,990 | $47,990 | 5.62 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 1,490 | $47,940 | $15,080 | $62,010 | 0.49 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | 1,000 | $47,860 | $30,530 | $64,330 | 1.37 |
| Columbia, MO | 540 | $47,220 | $37,340 | $60,190 | 4.79 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 340 | $47,030 | $25,500 | $57,450 | 1.69 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 1,570 | $46,920 | $20,940 | $64,680 | 0.37 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 1,610 | $46,760 | $28,690 | $58,120 | 3.50 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 2,150 | $46,430 | $30,950 | $83,310 | 1.07 |
| El Paso, TX | 300 | $46,330 | $23,490 | $54,250 | 0.84 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 750 | $45,860 | $32,920 | $61,830 | 1.57 |
| Tucson, AZ | 2,260 | $45,810 | $30,900 | $58,520 | 5.50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,400 | $45,120 | $34,320 | $80,470 | 1.48 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 930 | $45,110 | $37,740 | $72,850 | 0.78 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 12,430 | $45,100 | $37,120 | $77,270 | 1.24 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,010 | $44,330 | $39,400 | $76,210 | 0.40 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 530 | $43,430 | $28,700 | $51,890 | 0.74 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 440 | $43,190 | $32,160 | $83,510 | 0.83 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 5,990 | $39,940 | $34,360 | $81,450 | 0.90 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 12,860 | $38,990 | $33,790 | $76,420 | 55.45 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 540 | $38,640 | $34,750 | $68,560 | 0.30 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 680 | $38,620 | $28,600 | $57,270 | 0.58 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,780 | $38,510 | $29,640 | $49,190 | 0.60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,020 | $38,500 | $28,550 | $66,110 | 0.66 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 2,730 | $38,490 | $21,310 | $62,850 | 0.79 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 2,760 | $38,440 | $38,440 | $61,780 | 4.37 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 1,140 | $38,260 | $37,770 | $43,030 | 0.75 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 610 | $37,890 | $36,050 | $37,890 | 0.75 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 1,600 | $37,780 | $31,880 | $47,460 | 1.07 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | 350 | $37,540 | $20,850 | $62,440 | 2.50 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 340 | $37,450 | $31,570 | $82,790 | 0.20 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,200 | $37,440 | $34,530 | $37,440 | 2.38 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 550 | $37,300 | $19,020 | $59,960 | 0.47 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 8,860 | $35,760 | $35,280 | $96,850 | 1.86 |
| Tallahassee, FL | 1,140 | $35,380 | $35,080 | $35,380 | 5.82 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 330 | $33,680 | $31,270 | $64,990 | 0.52 |
| Flint, MI | 300 | $31,540 | $31,470 | $75,610 | 2.11 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 970 | $30,670 | $30,670 | $60,530 | 1.12 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 430 | $29,060 | $18,240 | $60,350 | 1.38 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | 360 | $26,930 | $24,590 | $56,980 | 1.13 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | 530 | $26,680 | $22,880 | $35,530 | 1.40 |
The median is $42,910 a year (n/a an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $28,600 and the highest-paid tenth over $76,420 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
164,090 in May 2025, and BLS projects +2.7% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
Maryland, with a median of $58,330 (among states with published figures).