Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction.
Teacher assistants typically do the following:
Teacher assistants also are called teacher aides, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, education assistants, and paraeducators.
Teacher assistants work with or under the guidance of a licensed teacher. Reviewing with students individually or in small groups, teacher assistants help reinforce the lessons that teachers introduce.
Teacher assistants may provide feedback to teachers for monitoring student progress. Some teacher assistants meet regularly with teachers to discuss lesson plans and students’ development.
Some teacher assistants work only with special education students. When special education students attend regular classes, these teacher assistants help them understand the material and adapt the information to their learning style. Teacher assistants may also work with students who have severe disabilities in separate classrooms. They help these students with basic needs, such as eating or personal hygiene. Teacher assistants may help young adults with disabilities to learn skills necessary for finding a job or living independently after graduation.
Some teacher assistants help in specific areas. For example, they may work in a computer laboratory, helping students use programs or software. Others may work as cafeteria attendants, supervising students during lunchtime.
Teacher assistants in childcare centers work with a lead teacher to provide individualized attention that young children need. They help with educational activities, supervise the children at play, and help with feeding and other basic care.
Teacher assistants held about 1.2 million jobs in 2021. The largest employers of teacher assistants were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 74% |
| Child day care services | 9 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 9 |
Teacher assistants may spend some time outside, when students are at recess or getting on and off the bus. They may need to lift the students at certain times.
Teacher assistants sometimes get injured on the job. They actively work with students, including lifting and otherwise assisting special education students, which can place them at risk for injuries such as strains.
Most teacher assistants work full time, although part-time work is common. Some monitor students on school buses before and after school. Many teacher assistants do not work during the summer; however, some work in year-round schools or assist teachers in summer school.
To enter the occupation, teacher assistants typically need to have completed at least 2 years of college coursework.
Teacher assistants in public schools need at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate’s degree. Those who work in schools with a Title 1 program (a federal program for schools that have a large proportion of students from low-income households) must have at least a 2-year degree, 2 years of college, or pass a state or local assessment.
Associate’s degree programs for teacher assistants prepare participants to develop educational materials, observe students, and understand the role of teaching assistants in working with classroom teachers.
Some teacher assistants have a bachelor's degree in fields such as education and psychology.
Most states require teacher assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test.
Some jobs may require staff to have certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
Communication skills. Teacher assistants need to be clear and concise in discussing student progress with teachers and parents.
Interpersonal skills. Teacher assistants must be able to develop relationships with a variety of people, including teachers, students, parents, and administrators.
Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds may be difficult. Teacher assistants must be understanding with students.
Resourcefulness. Teacher assistants must find ways to explain information to students who have different learning styles.
Teacher assistants may become a kindergarten and elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, or special education teacher upon obtaining additional education, training, and a license or certification.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for teacher assistants was $29,360 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,890, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,530.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for teacher assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | $29,460 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 29,360 |
| Child day care services | 28,620 |
Most teacher assistants work full time, although part-time work is common. Some monitor students on school buses before and after school. Many teacher assistants do not work during the summer; however, some work in year-round schools or assist teachers in summer school.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Employment of teacher assistants is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 153,700 openings for teacher assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many 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.
Teacher assistants’ employment opportunities may depend on school districts’ budgets. Schools may be more likely to eliminate positions for teacher assistants when there is a budget shortfall, and they may be more likely to hire teacher assistants when there is a budget surplus.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Teaching assistants, except postsecondary |
25-9045 | 1,235,100 | 1,297,200 | 5 | 62,100 | Get data | |
For more information about teacher assistants, visit
National Education Association
American Federation of Teachers
National Resource Center for Paraeducators
Teaching Assistants, All Other
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education