Teaching Assistant Salary Expectations: Should You Become a Teaching Assistant?

Teaching assistants or teacher's aides are professionals trained to help with classroom responsibilities. They take on multiple roles depending on their certification level and specialization.

This position requires flexibility and patience but is quite rewarding if you like working with students. If you want to know more about how to become a teaching assistant and how much the average teaching assistant salary is, we're here to help.

Read on to learn about this position and what to expect on the job.

What Does a Teaching Assistant Do?

Teaching assistants help teachers manage the classroom, grade student work, strategize and attend meetings. They range from high schoolers to graduates, helping neurotypical and special needs students.

Some of the roles that Teaching Assistants perform include:

• Helping teachers prepare lessons and calculate grades
• Taking attendance and calculating grades
• Supervising students on-site, during recess or school trips
• Collecting materials and instruments required by teachers and preparing the classroom
• Communicating with parents and teachers to resolve student challenges
• Checking homework assignments
• Helping special needs students and providing the proper accommodation for those who require help

Your role depends on your degree of experience and certifications. You can work directly with students if you're at the entry-level. However, a licensed teacher supervises your work.

To progress in your career, you'll need to take on professional development hours and college studies.

What Are The Benefits of Being a Teaching Assistant vs. Being a Teacher?

Teaching assistants and teachers both help instruct students and assist them with understanding the material. However, teachers play a more general role while assistants focus on those who need extra help.

The benefits of being a teacher's assistant are:

• You can work with students directly and apply your unique skills to help those facing challenges
• Working hours are more flexible than those of teacher's
• You don't have to apply for a teaching license to work in a classroom
• Your evaluation does not include student progress
• Hours are not as long as those of a teacher, and you don't have to take your work home
• In some cases, you can also use the time in the classroom for credits if you attend college
• The position allows you to spend time with family during holidays, weekends and summers

It's no secret that being a teacher comes with long hours and plenty of stress. Teachers can handle other responsibilities and do their jobs better with an assistant by their side.

Teaching assistants take care of the details and help the instruction process flow with ease. They are an essential part of the classroom and often liaise between students, parents and instructors.

What are the Licensing and Certification Requirements for Teaching Assistants?

Specific requirements vary by state, with some requiring certifications and others requiring a degree or passing an assessment. Generally, you must have a good command of English, have a degree relating to education and have the authorization to work in the United States.

In New York, for example, may qualify for certification after passing the New York State Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills test. Then, there are five certification levels with different privileges and requirements, including:

• Level I Teaching Assistant
• Level II Teaching Assistant Certificate
• Level III Teaching Assistant Certificate
• Pre-Professional Teaching Assistant
• Continuing Certificate as a Teaching Assistant

You do not need any certification to work as a teaching assistant in Florida. However, some counties may require an associate degree or paraprofessional exam.

As for Texas, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to apply for certification.

Check your state certification and licensing requirements before applying to a teaching assistant position. It may be much easier than you think to become an aide depending on where you live.

Is Being a Teaching Assistant a Difficult Job?

Like any position that involves a great deal of daily interaction, some days will be difficult as a teaching assistant. Students may not cooperate reasonably, or you may find yourself overwhelmed with multiple responsibilities.

In many cases, you will take on the bulk of prepping and must follow the teacher's instructions. Moreover, you cannot improve unless you take on more certifications, depending on the state.

Finally, the pay is not the same as what teachers make, although you receive a salary. In some cases, you must accept an unpaid position in exchange for class credits.

Although the position comes with many challenges, it is a gratifying experience. Your instruction makes a difference in the lives of students, especially those that require extra accommodations.

Seeing your students happy and retaining information is an enriching part of this job and lets you reap the results of your efforts.

How Much Does An Average Teaching Assistant Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median teaching assistant salary is $36,250 annually. The highest earners make up to $62,000, depending on their experience and the school type.

There is such a difference in the median salary because of the different types of schools. Public schools offer lower wages than private schools.

The higher your certification level and education is, the likelier your chances are of receiving a better job offer.

Is There Room for Progress in This Position?

Depending on your state, you can progress in this position by taking on additional certifications. In many cases, this means attending college and taking a set of mandated course hours. However, higher certifications mean better pay. If you want a more active role in the classroom and your student's progress, you can apply for a license to become a teacher.

How Can I Apply To Teaching Assistant Positions?

Schools often advertise their need for teaching assistants through job sites and social media platforms. You can also apply directly to positions advertised on a website, especially a private school or college.

Before starting, check the requirements to see if you have the proper certification to apply for the job. If you know someone who works as a teacher, ask them for school recommendations and whether they know of any openings.

The application is not enough to get in – you must also impress with your resume and experience. Most teaching assistant interview questions focus on your personality, method and future goals.

It would help if you had personal qualities that show that you can handle working with many students. If you speak two or more languages, it is a significant bonus on your resume that high-quality schools seek.

Build a Teaching Assistant Resume Today

Although being a teaching assistant is not a job for everyone, you can enjoy a happy and enriching career if your place of work is accommodating. Regardless of where you apply, you need to highlight your skills and accomplishments to receive substantial job offers.

One way to target high-quality schools is to apply with a custom teaching assistant resume. It should be specific to your role, contain no fluff, and pass through Applicant Tracking Software.

If you are ready to start on your path in education, start by building a resume with Rocket Resume. With over two million resume templates and intuitive tools, you can customize yours to reflect the best professional version of you to hiring managers before they meet you.

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