Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
SOC code 25-9044 · O*NET-SOC 25-9044.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Education and library
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$42,910
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$47,670
— per hour
Middle 50%
$35,270 – $60,510
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$28,600 – $76,420
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
164,090
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $28,600
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $35,270
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $42,910
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $60,510
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $76,420
- —/hr
What do teaching assistants, postsecondary do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Teach undergraduate-level courses.
- Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.
- Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
- Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.
- Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.
- Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.
- Prepare or proctor examinations.
- Tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 57% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree57%
- Master's Degree37%
- Doctoral Degree4%
- Some College Courses1%
Common questions
How much does a teaching assistants, postsecondary earn?
The national median is $42,910 a year. The full range runs from $28,600 at the 10th percentile to $76,420 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a teaching assistants, postsecondary without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.6/5
- Speaking3.5/5
- Learning Strategies3.4/5
- Writing3.3/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.7/5
- Education and Training4.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Communications and Media2.9/5
- Psychology2.6/5
- Administrative2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Instructing, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.