Teaching Assistants (Postsecondary)
O*NET title: Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
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.
Also called: Classroom Assistant, College Assistant, College Biology Teaching Assistant (College Biology TA), Exam Proctor, Faculty Research Assistant, Graduate Assistant
Median pay
$42,910
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$28,600 – $76,420
People employed
164,090
Holland code
SCI
Social · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 4.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 5.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
Teaching Assistants (Postsecondary) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (44 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What teaching assistants (postsecondary) do
- 01Teach undergraduate-level courses.
- 02Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.
- 03Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
- 04Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.
- 05Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.
- 06Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Communications and Media
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from teaching assistants (postsecondary)
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education86% · +68%
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School86% · +52%
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education86% · +49%
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary85% · +76%
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education83% · +50%
Change into teaching assistants (postsecondary)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term76% · $41,670
- Tutors73% · $43,350
- Self-Enrichment Teachers64% · $46,800
Majors that lead here
- Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.