How much does a teacher's aide make?
Answer: A typical teacher's aide in the United States makes $36,780 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 1.4 million people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Teacher's aide pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,150 | $36,780 | $50,040 | about 1.4 million |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $49,120 | about 43,000 |
| District of Columbia | $46,920 | about 4,000 |
| Maine | $46,750 | about 9,000 |
| California | $46,490 | about 177,000 |
| Vermont | $43,800 | about 5,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience and credentials, location, and whether you work in a public school, private school, or childcare center. Part-time hours and school breaks can also change yearly earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a teacher's aide do?
What's a typical day like?
You might set out books and materials, then help a few students review a lesson or finish an assignment while the teacher leads the class. Later, you may take attendance, supervise lunch or recess, and tell the teacher how students are doing.
How to get this job
In the U.S., public-school aides usually complete two years of college or earn an associate degree; some Title I schools accept a state or local test instead. Rules vary by state, and most states require a skills test for special-needs aides.
Did you know?
Some aides help young adults with disabilities practice skills for getting a job or living independently after graduation.
Earn more in the same field
Educational Instruction and Library jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/teacher-assistants.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/25-9042.00
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/25-9043.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.newamerica.org/insights/exploring-paraprofessional-requirements-across-the-5
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY