Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
To enter the occupation, teacher assistants typically need to have completed at least 2 years of college coursework. PayThe median annual wage for teacher assistants was $36,780 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 176,200 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.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for teacher assistants was $36,780 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 176,200 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 176,200 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 They 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 $36,780 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 176,200 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.
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 $36,780 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of teacher assistants is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 176,200 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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about teacher assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.