391 metro areas

Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education Salary by City (2026)

Teaching assistants earn the most in Seattle, WA, an average of $54,720 a year, against $39,260 nationally. After local prices, pay goes furthest in Decatur, IL ($53,720 in national-average dollars). Every metro area with its own BLS estimate is ranked below.

US average (mean): $39,260BLS OEWS, May 2025
Highest-paying city: $54,720Seattle, WA
Best after cost of living: $53,720Decatur, IL
Metro areas: 391With their own estimate

Top cities

Highest-paying cities for teaching assistants

Mean annual wage

Top 10 metro areas

Seattle, WA$54,720
Mount Vernon, WA$54,130
San Francisco, CA$52,640
Bremerton, WA$51,970
San Jose, CA$51,670
Bellingham, WA$51,280
Santa Rosa, CA$50,180
Napa, CA$49,660
Oxnard, CA$49,370
Olympia, WA$49,070

Top 10 metro areas by mean wage for teaching assistants
Item	Value
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$54,720
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$54,130
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$52,640
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$51,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$51,670
Bellingham, WA	$51,280
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$50,180
Napa, CA	$49,660
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$49,370
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$49,070

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025

At national-average prices

Mean wage ÷ BEA price level

Decatur, IL$47,500 nominal$53,720
Mount Vernon, WA$54,130 nominal$52,840
Bellingham, WA$51,280 nominal$49,630
Yakima, WA$47,280 nominal$49,480
Seattle, WA$54,720 nominal$49,240
Bremerton, WA$51,970 nominal$49,210
Lewiston, ME$45,910 nominal$48,460
Portland, ME$48,810 nominal$47,920
Olympia, WA$49,070 nominal$47,330
El Centro, CA$44,840 nominal$47,110

Top 10 metro areas by price-adjusted mean wage for teaching assistants
Item	Value
Decatur, IL	$53,720
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$52,840
Bellingham, WA	$49,630
Yakima, WA	$49,480
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$49,240
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$49,210
Lewiston-Auburn, ME	$48,460
Portland-South Portland, ME	$47,920
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$47,330
El Centro, CA	$47,110

Source: BLS OEWS 2025 · BEA RPP 2024

Every city

Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education salary in every metro area

Mean annual wage, with the Department of Labor's entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) prevailing-wage benchmarks for the same metro, and the mean at national-average prices. Sorted by mean pay.

Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education pay in every metro area with a BLS estimate
#	Metro area	Mean	Entry (Level I)	Experienced (Level IV)	At US prices
1	Seattle, WA	$54,720	$42,560	$60,720	$49,240
2	Mount Vernon, WA	$54,130	$43,560	$59,330	$52,840
3	San Francisco, CA	$52,640	$43,250	$57,260	$45,530
4	Bremerton, WA	$51,970	$42,950	$56,410	$49,210
5	San Jose, CA	$51,670	$41,990	$56,430	$46,790
6	Bellingham, WA	$51,280	$42,770	$55,470	$49,630
7	Santa Rosa, CA	$50,180	$41,740	$54,340	$46,560
8	Napa, CA	$49,660	$41,590	$53,630	$44,120
9	Oxnard, CA	$49,370	$40,120	$53,920	$44,660
10	Olympia, WA	$49,070	$38,900	$54,080	$47,330
11	Salinas, CA	$49,070	$40,900	$53,100	$45,000
12	Vallejo, CA	$48,950	$40,880	$52,930	$45,120
13	Santa Cruz, CA	$48,890	$40,390	$53,080	$44,490
14	Portland, ME	$48,810	$40,560	$52,870	$47,920
15	Modesto, CA	$47,890	$39,890	$51,830	$46,000
16	Santa Maria, CA	$47,640	$40,480	$51,170	$43,790
17	Decatur, IL	$47,500	$34,720	$53,800	$53,720
18	Yakima, WA	$47,280	$38,380	$51,660	$49,480
19	Los Angeles, CA	$46,770	$37,810	$51,180	$41,180
20	Sacramento, CA	$46,750	$39,200	$50,460	$43,830
21	San Diego, CA	$46,430	$37,760	$50,700	$41,500
22	Riverside, CA	$46,310	$38,800	$50,010	$43,510
23	Hanford, CA	$46,240	$39,660	$49,470	$45,510
24	Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV	$46,170	$35,250	$51,560	$42,400
25	Yuba City, CA	$45,960	$38,110	$49,830	$44,090
26	Lewiston, ME	$45,910	$38,260	$49,680	$48,460
27	San Luis Obispo, CA	$45,780	$37,820	$49,700	$42,160
28	Stockton, CA	$45,380	$38,140	$48,940	$43,180
29	Wenatchee, WA	$45,340	$39,100	$48,410	$43,660
30	Chico, CA	$45,160	$37,090	$49,140	$44,630
31	Fresno, CA	$45,120	$37,690	$48,780	$44,170
32	Visalia, CA	$44,930	$37,450	$48,620	$45,010
33	Longview, WA	$44,870	$40,130	$47,200	$46,000
34	El Centro, CA	$44,840	$37,240	$48,590	$47,110
35	Kennewick, WA	$44,690	$38,970	$47,500	$44,650
36	Merced, CA	$44,210	$37,040	$47,730	$44,990
37	Portland, OR-WA	$44,160	$34,260	$49,030	$41,890
38	Boston, MA-NH	$44,080	$32,540	$49,770	$40,710
39	Redding, CA	$44,000	$36,800	$47,540	$43,700
40	Minneapolis, MN-WI	$43,370	$34,640	$47,670	$41,370
41	Walla Walla, WA	$43,320	$38,230	$45,820	$43,970
42	Bangor, ME	$43,130	$35,620	$46,820	$44,690
43	Spokane, WA	$43,000	$36,270	$46,320	$42,850
44	Pueblo, CO	$42,910	$30,800	$48,870	$46,760
45	Bend, OR	$42,620	$33,160	$47,280	$41,140
46	Burlington, VT	$42,570	$31,800	$47,870	$42,170
47	New York, NY-NJ	$42,530	$34,200	$46,630	$37,780
48	Salisbury, MD	$42,530	$32,680	$47,380	$44,480
49	Amherst Town, MA	$42,500	$32,900	$47,220	$42,400
50	Worcester, MA	$42,470	$33,480	$46,900	$41,420
51	Kahului, HI	$42,240	$33,960	$46,310	$38,610
52	Bridgeport, CT	$42,010	$34,890	$45,520	$39,310
53	Lexington Park, MD	$41,990	$32,130	$46,840	$41,670
54	Greeley, CO	$41,950	$32,400	$46,650	$41,880
55	Bakersfield, CA	$41,650	$36,160	$44,360	$41,280
56	Bismarck, ND	$41,630	$36,380	$44,210	$45,740
57	Hartford, CT	$41,610	$34,220	$45,250	$40,500
58	Barnstable Town, MA	$41,560	$31,200	$46,660	$42,260
59	Salem, OR	$41,500	$34,320	$45,030	$40,040
60	Pittsfield, MA	$41,410	$32,370	$45,870	$43,540
61	Eugene, OR	$41,390	$33,830	$45,120	$40,750
62	Lewiston, ID-WA	$41,330	$31,300	$46,270	$45,340
63	Madison, WI	$41,240	$32,850	$45,370	$42,390
64	New Haven, CT	$41,200	$34,590	$44,470	$39,400
65	Syracuse, NY	$41,180	$34,160	$44,640	$43,010
66	St. Cloud, MN	$41,140	$33,020	$45,140	$46,950
67	Staunton, VA	$40,970	$31,290	$45,730	$44,960
68	Naples, FL	$40,930	$34,320	$44,180	$39,660
69	Corvallis, OR	$40,850	$32,150	$45,130	$39,270
70	Rochester, MN	$40,680	$33,840	$44,060	$44,790
71	Kiryas Joel, NY	$40,630	$34,030	$43,890	$37,130
72	Baltimore, MD	$40,560	$32,300	$44,620	$38,820
73	Grants Pass, OR	$40,560	$33,310	$44,120	$41,490
74	Mankato, MN	$40,510	$33,480	$43,970	$44,540
75	Farmington, NM	$40,470	$31,620	$44,820	$46,140
76	Ithaca, NY	$40,330	$34,350	$43,280	$39,040
77	Albany, NY	$40,270	$33,780	$43,470	$40,450
78	Medford, OR	$40,080	$32,670	$43,730	$39,510
79	Duluth, MN-WI	$39,970	$32,610	$43,590	$45,030
80	Kingston, NY	$39,920	$33,670	$42,990	$39,640
81	Lexington, KY	$39,910	$31,730	$43,940	$42,970
82	Chicago, IL-IN	$39,820	$31,860	$43,740	$38,440
83	Virginia Beach, VA-NC	$39,810	$30,010	$44,630	$40,650
84	Minot, ND	$39,740	$26,650	$46,190	$45,660
85	Trenton, NJ	$39,700	$32,430	$43,280	$38,480
86	Grand Junction, CO	$39,610	$34,700	$42,030	$41,490
87	Dover, DE	$39,610	$33,060	$42,830	$40,620
88	Providence, RI-MA	$39,590	$31,550	$43,560	$38,900
89	Las Cruces, NM	$39,490	$30,460	$43,940	$43,770
90	Fargo, ND-MN	$39,470	$32,340	$42,980	$43,440
91	Albany, OR	$39,400	$31,700	$43,180	$38,590
92	Santa Fe, NM	$39,390	$29,700	$44,160	$39,880
93	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	$39,160	$28,220	$44,550	$42,070
94	Norwich, CT	$39,160	$34,230	$41,590	$38,990
95	Flagstaff, AZ	$39,120	$34,460	$41,410	$38,990
96	Waterbury, CT	$39,070	$34,010	$41,560	$39,160
97	Racine, WI	$39,060	$31,740	$42,660	$40,700
98	Green Bay, WI	$38,950	$31,650	$42,540	$41,840
99	Utica, NY	$38,940	$32,930	$41,900	$42,020
100	Winchester, VA-WV	$38,910	$30,040	$43,270	$40,340
101	Manchester, NH	$38,890	$30,490	$43,020	$36,810
102	Denver, CO	$38,880	$30,970	$42,780	$36,750
103	Milwaukee, WI	$38,820	$31,760	$42,300	$40,050
104	Urban Honolulu, HI	$38,770	$33,280	$41,470	$34,940
105	Rochester, NY	$38,620	$32,920	$41,430	$39,800
106	Atlantic City, NJ	$38,620	$32,240	$41,770	$39,070
107	Glens Falls, NY	$38,570	$33,060	$41,290	$40,660
108	Bozeman, MT	$38,570	$30,860	$42,370	$37,630
109	Richmond, VA	$38,510	$30,110	$42,650	$39,350
110	Vineland, NJ	$38,420	$32,220	$41,470	$40,030
111	Elmira, NY	$38,380	$32,970	$41,050	$40,660
112	La Crosse, WI-MN	$38,270	$31,460	$41,620	$41,700
113	Ogden, UT	$38,190	$32,380	$41,060	$38,060
114	Crestview, FL	$38,000	$30,270	$41,810	$39,160
115	Buffalo, NY	$37,970	$32,730	$40,550	$39,620
116	Watertown, NY	$37,930	$32,240	$40,730	$43,250
117	Coeur d'Alene, ID	$37,900	$28,980	$42,290	$38,560
118	Provo, UT	$37,890	$29,580	$41,980	$38,570
119	Eau Claire, WI	$37,820	$29,620	$41,860	$40,760
120	Roanoke, VA	$37,760	$28,200	$42,470	$40,330
121	Valdosta, GA	$37,750	$20,110	$46,440	$42,770
122	Springfield, MO	$37,660	$28,750	$42,060	$42,510
123	Hagerstown, MD-WV	$37,650	$30,810	$41,020	$39,980
124	Dayton, OH	$37,590	$27,430	$42,590	$40,550
125	Sheboygan, WI	$37,580	$29,920	$41,350	$39,970
126	Cleveland, OH	$37,540	$28,900	$41,790	$39,970
127	Appleton, WI	$37,500	$31,120	$40,640	$40,580
128	Idaho Falls, ID	$37,480	$27,710	$42,280	$39,700
129	Sebastian, FL	$37,400	$32,910	$39,610	$38,040
130	Janesville, WI	$37,330	$33,680	$39,120	$39,840
131	Odessa, TX	$37,280	$31,310	$40,220	$39,700
132	St. Louis, MO-IL	$37,220	$29,900	$40,820	$39,140
133	Phoenix, AZ	$37,220	$32,710	$39,450	$36,030
134	Cape Coral, FL	$37,190	$33,610	$38,950	$36,340
135	Austin, TX	$37,160	$28,170	$41,590	$37,890
136	Boise City, ID	$37,110	$26,920	$42,120	$37,720
137	Binghamton, NY	$37,090	$32,560	$39,320	$39,940
138	Wausau, WI	$36,960	$30,990	$39,900	$39,890
139	Columbus, OH	$36,940	$27,620	$41,530	$38,690
140	Toledo, OH	$36,920	$27,320	$41,650	$40,370
141	Fond du Lac, WI	$36,850	$30,170	$40,140	$40,210
142	Tucson, AZ	$36,830	$32,400	$39,010	$38,010
143	Lincoln, NE	$36,670	$32,280	$38,830	$40,040
144	Oshkosh, WI	$36,660	$28,550	$40,660	$39,450
145	Logan, UT-ID	$36,620	$28,460	$40,640	$38,170
146	Harrisonburg, VA	$36,620	$29,590	$40,080	$38,590
147	Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$36,610	$28,370	$40,670	$35,700
148	Springfield, MA	$36,580	$31,200	$39,230	$38,080
149	Traverse City, MI	$36,570	$30,610	$39,500	$39,170
150	Kankakee, IL	$36,470	$31,200	$39,070	$37,830
151	Rockford, IL	$36,460	$31,200	$39,050	$39,560
152	Springfield, OH	$36,340	$26,630	$41,120	$40,160
153	Kenosha, WI	$36,320	$28,290	$40,280	$35,920
154	St. George, UT	$36,310	$28,490	$40,170	$37,310
155	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	$36,310	$27,870	$40,470	$38,070
156	Blacksburg, VA	$36,250	$26,820	$40,900	$39,100
157	Punta Gorda, FL	$36,210	$31,870	$38,350	$36,020
158	Peoria, IL	$36,200	$31,200	$38,670	$39,680
159	Helena, MT	$36,190	$28,200	$40,130	$37,830
160	South Bend, IN-MI	$36,180	$27,960	$40,230	$38,960
161	Omaha, NE-IA	$36,090	$28,590	$39,790	$39,270
162	Grand Rapids, MI	$36,050	$29,130	$39,460	$37,730
163	Charlottesville, VA	$36,010	$27,420	$40,240	$36,320
164	Ann Arbor, MI	$35,990	$30,010	$38,930	$35,680
165	Columbia, MO	$35,960	$29,030	$39,370	$40,210
166	Colorado Springs, CO	$35,950	$30,800	$38,480	$35,700
167	Muskegon, MI	$35,940	$28,730	$39,500	$38,850
168	Brownsville, TX	$35,900	$26,000	$40,770	$41,760
169	Sandusky, OH	$35,900	$27,350	$40,110	$40,210
170	Allentown, PA-NJ	$35,890	$27,800	$39,880	$35,900
171	Akron, OH	$35,860	$27,420	$40,020	$38,410
172	Joplin, MO-KS	$35,850	$28,730	$39,360	$41,820
173	Gettysburg, PA	$35,840	$27,640	$39,880	$37,580
174	Salt Lake City, UT	$35,730	$24,550	$41,240	$35,420
175	Detroit, MI	$35,700	$28,410	$39,290	$35,590
176	Albuquerque, NM	$35,680	$28,300	$39,320	$37,340
177	Jacksonville, FL	$35,590	$30,100	$38,290	$35,770
178	Anchorage, AK	$35,570	$28,740	$38,940	$33,740
179	Grand Forks, ND-MN	$35,530	$25,800	$40,330	$41,000
180	Champaign, IL	$35,530	$31,200	$37,670	$38,330
181	Fairbanks, AK	$35,500	$29,930	$38,240	$34,400
182	Jefferson City, MO	$35,480	$29,220	$38,570	$40,330
183	Bloomington, IL	$35,470	$31,320	$37,520	$37,920
184	North Port, FL	$35,450	$29,520	$38,360	$34,610
185	Canton, OH	$35,410	$26,960	$39,570	$39,610
186	Jackson, MI	$35,410	$28,350	$38,880	$38,580
187	Kansas City, MO-KS	$35,260	$26,300	$39,670	$38,100
188	Battle Creek, MI	$35,230	$29,310	$38,140	$38,910
189	Davenport, IA-IL	$35,200	$27,930	$38,780	$39,520
190	Springfield, IL	$35,200	$31,200	$37,160	$37,950
191	Miami, FL	$35,190	$30,130	$37,680	$30,830
192	Flint, MI	$35,160	$29,010	$38,180	$37,790
193	Deltona, FL	$35,110	$29,840	$37,700	$35,330
194	Raleigh, NC	$35,100	$29,310	$37,950	$35,760
195	Twin Falls, ID	$35,060	$26,780	$39,140	$38,060
196	Lafayette, IN	$35,060	$29,730	$37,680	$37,530
197	Wildwood, FL	$35,030	$28,920	$38,030	$41,010
198	York, PA	$35,020	$26,990	$38,980	$36,480
199	Pensacola, FL	$34,930	$31,970	$36,390	$35,750
200	Lansing, MI	$34,910	$28,070	$38,270	$36,750
201	Niles, MI	$34,900	$29,110	$37,760	$37,780
202	Port St. Lucie, FL	$34,890	$30,380	$37,110	$34,810
203	Boulder, CO	$34,880	$30,800	$36,890	$33,160
204	Mansfield, OH	$34,870	$26,470	$39,010	$39,240
205	Harrisburg, PA	$34,860	$26,450	$39,000	$35,340
206	Indianapolis, IN	$34,830	$27,010	$38,690	$36,400
207	Missoula, MT	$34,790	$27,790	$38,240	$36,070
208	Fort Wayne, IN	$34,730	$26,610	$38,740	$37,520
209	Lebanon, PA	$34,680	$26,190	$38,850	$37,200
210	Reading, PA	$34,670	$26,820	$38,540	$35,720
211	Monroe, MI	$34,650	$29,200	$37,330	$37,060
212	St. Joseph, MO-KS	$34,640	$26,170	$38,820	$40,100
213	Gainesville, FL	$34,620	$30,530	$36,630	$35,790
214	Palm Bay, FL	$34,580	$31,110	$36,290	$34,580
215	Lake Charles, LA	$34,540	$23,520	$39,970	$40,230
216	Topeka, KS	$34,520	$27,180	$38,140	$38,870
217	Saginaw, MI	$34,480	$27,870	$37,740	$37,940
218	Reno, NV	$34,420	$27,120	$38,020	$34,070
219	Elkhart, IN	$34,420	$27,870	$37,650	$38,110
220	Great Falls, MT	$34,330	$27,210	$37,840	$35,450
221	Pocatello, ID	$34,330	$26,460	$38,200	$38,610
222	Yuma, AZ	$34,210	$30,840	$35,860	$36,900
223	Ocala, FL	$34,210	$29,000	$36,780	$35,920
224	Chambersburg, PA	$34,200	$25,690	$38,390	$36,140
225	Lynchburg, VA	$34,200	$27,850	$37,320	$38,270
226	Orlando, FL	$34,110	$29,570	$36,350	$33,630
227	Prescott Valley, AZ	$34,060	$31,030	$35,550	$34,660
228	Lake Havasu City, AZ	$34,020	$31,150	$35,440	$36,150
229	Lima, OH	$33,940	$25,760	$37,960	$37,850
230	Las Vegas, NV	$33,900	$29,680	$35,980	$33,830
231	Owensboro, KY	$33,800	$28,930	$36,200	$38,140
232	Nashville, TN	$33,650	$24,460	$38,180	$34,930
233	Lakeland, FL	$33,640	$29,360	$35,750	$34,630
234	Pittsburgh, PA	$33,580	$26,330	$37,160	$35,470
235	Lancaster, PA	$33,470	$25,360	$37,450	$34,060
236	Billings, MT	$33,460	$25,710	$37,280	$35,780
237	Greenville, SC	$33,400	$22,930	$38,560	$35,810
238	College Station, TX	$33,350	$20,630	$39,610	$36,670
239	Kalamazoo, MI	$33,300	$28,680	$35,580	$35,110
240	Sierra Vista, AZ	$33,300	$30,620	$34,610	$37,310
241	Asheville, NC	$33,260	$26,550	$36,560	$34,460
242	State College, PA	$33,210	$25,100	$37,200	$34,320
243	Shreveport, LA	$33,170	$23,860	$37,750	$39,130
244	Dallas, TX	$33,090	$25,720	$36,720	$32,100
245	Des Moines, IA	$33,080	$26,300	$36,420	$36,070
246	Midland, TX	$33,020	$25,290	$36,830	$34,470
247	Fort Collins, CO	$32,970	$30,800	$34,040	$32,600
248	Bay City, MI	$32,960	$27,880	$35,470	$35,860
249	Casper, WY	$32,950	$29,410	$34,690	$35,120
250	Midland, MI	$32,940	$27,810	$35,460	$35,840
251	Wilmington, NC	$32,940	$27,540	$35,600	$34,160
252	Williamsport, PA	$32,900	$24,540	$37,020	$35,630
253	Charlotte, NC-SC	$32,860	$26,310	$36,100	$33,760
254	Charleston, SC	$32,850	$23,280	$37,560	$32,540
255	Columbus, IN	$32,840	$25,570	$36,420	$35,310
256	Cheyenne, WY	$32,830	$28,940	$34,740	$34,020
257	Bloomington, IN	$32,810	$26,210	$36,070	$34,510
258	Erie, PA	$32,800	$25,060	$36,610	$36,060
259	Bowling Green, KY	$32,780	$27,540	$35,360	$36,350
260	Sebring, FL	$32,780	$28,750	$34,760	$35,450
261	Panama City, FL	$32,750	$30,170	$34,020	$33,660
262	Wheeling, WV-OH	$32,730	$26,380	$35,850	$37,060
263	Wichita Falls, TX	$32,540	$22,890	$37,290	$36,350
264	Muncie, IN	$32,480	$26,600	$35,370	$36,850
265	Tallahassee, FL	$32,460	$28,660	$34,330	$34,560
266	Michigan City, IN	$32,430	$27,110	$35,050	$35,370
267	Scranton, PA	$32,270	$24,310	$36,190	$34,490
268	Fayetteville, AR	$32,180	$25,360	$35,540	$35,230
269	Youngstown, OH	$32,100	$25,030	$35,580	$36,730
270	Cedar Rapids, IA	$32,050	$24,760	$35,630	$36,030
271	Kokomo, IN	$32,020	$25,200	$35,380	$35,720
272	Waco, TX	$31,990	$24,720	$35,570	$34,570
273	Pinehurst, NC	$31,930	$25,930	$34,890	$36,150
274	Johnstown, PA	$31,910	$24,840	$35,390	$37,140
275	Tampa, FL	$31,880	$27,040	$34,260	$31,600
276	Cape Girardeau, MO-IL	$31,840	$28,600	$33,430	$36,990
277	Wichita, KS	$31,810	$22,980	$36,150	$35,760
278	Savannah, GA	$31,810	$24,530	$35,400	$33,410
279	Evansville, IN	$31,810	$23,950	$35,690	$34,750
280	Memphis, TN-MS-AR	$31,740	$24,850	$35,130	$34,430
281	Atlanta, GA	$31,720	$23,950	$35,550	$31,700
282	Hot Springs, AR	$31,660	$24,880	$34,990	$36,930
283	Durham, NC	$31,580	$26,500	$34,090	$32,370
284	Weirton, WV-OH	$31,470	$24,020	$35,130	$35,350
285	Sioux City, IA-NE-SD	$31,450	$25,080	$34,590	$36,380
286	Goldsboro, NC	$31,340	$25,700	$34,110	$35,430
287	El Paso, TX	$31,340	$22,730	$35,580	$34,860
288	Charleston, WV	$31,270	$27,670	$33,050	$35,250
289	Terre Haute, IN	$31,220	$23,450	$35,050	$35,560
290	Manhattan, KS	$31,170	$26,080	$33,680	$34,570
291	Brunswick, GA	$31,160	$24,890	$34,250	$35,530
292	Kingsport, TN-VA	$31,150	$23,200	$35,060	$36,030
293	Altoona, PA	$31,150	$23,930	$34,700	$34,800
294	New Orleans, LA	$31,090	$23,360	$34,890	$33,580
295	McAllen, TX	$31,070	$22,690	$35,200	$36,170
296	Fort Smith, AR-OK	$31,070	$23,060	$35,010	$36,180
297	Burlington, NC	$31,060	$26,480	$33,310	$33,330
298	Paducah, KY-IL	$30,920	$26,720	$32,980	$35,920
299	Greensboro, NC	$30,910	$25,710	$33,470	$33,280
300	Jonesboro, AR	$30,910	$24,530	$34,060	$35,990
301	Little Rock, AR	$30,890	$25,660	$33,460	$34,570
302	Jackson, TN	$30,850	$22,890	$34,770	$36,070
303	Morgantown, WV	$30,800	$26,440	$32,950	$33,000
304	Iowa City, IA	$30,790	$24,610	$33,840	$33,650
305	Ames, IA	$30,720	$24,260	$33,910	$34,580
306	Dubuque, IA	$30,690	$23,430	$34,270	$35,140
307	Winston, NC	$30,680	$26,250	$32,870	$33,330
308	Houston, TX	$30,670	$23,120	$34,390	$31,100
309	Tulsa, OK	$30,650	$21,520	$35,150	$34,360
310	Greenville, NC	$30,650	$25,460	$33,210	$34,670
311	Columbia, SC	$30,570	$22,790	$34,400	$32,640
312	Oklahoma City, OK	$30,520	$22,220	$34,600	$33,760
313	Parkersburg, WV	$30,440	$27,110	$32,090	$34,960
314	Sherman, TX	$30,430	$21,330	$34,900	$32,450
315	Grand Island, NE	$30,400	$28,080	$31,550	$35,080
316	Waterloo, IA	$30,300	$23,580	$33,610	$34,800
317	Rome, GA	$30,270	$22,170	$34,250	$33,570
318	Laredo, TX	$30,270	$22,630	$34,040	$34,810
319	Lawton, OK	$30,200	$23,090	$33,700	$35,140
320	Tyler, TX	$30,160	$23,860	$33,270	$32,730
321	Fayetteville, NC	$30,080	$25,020	$32,570	$32,700
322	Warner Robins, GA	$30,040	$21,960	$34,010	$32,030
323	Victoria, TX	$30,030	$26,180	$31,930	$33,430
324	Sioux Falls, SD-MN	$29,970	$24,880	$32,470	$33,070
325	Elizabethtown, KY	$29,810	$27,300	$31,050	$32,910
326	Chattanooga, TN-GA	$29,740	$23,220	$32,950	$32,520
327	San Antonio, TX	$29,670	$21,410	$33,730	$31,330
328	Beckley, WV	$29,640	$25,600	$31,630	$33,540
329	Dalton, GA	$29,400	$21,530	$33,280	$32,720
330	Hinesville, GA	$29,370	$22,090	$32,950	$31,270
331	Slidell, LA	$29,330	$27,570	$30,200	$31,630
332	Texarkana, TX-AR	$29,320	$21,600	$33,130	$34,900
333	Hickory, NC	$29,290	$25,040	$31,390	$33,100
334	Gainesville, GA	$29,280	$22,220	$32,760	$30,260
335	Killeen, TX	$29,270	$22,290	$32,700	$32,120
336	Huntington, WV-KY-OH	$29,250	$23,980	$31,850	$33,080
337	Jacksonville, NC	$29,190	$24,730	$31,400	$31,700
338	Baton Rouge, LA	$29,170	$21,510	$32,950	$32,130
339	Monroe, LA	$28,860	$20,850	$32,810	$34,520
340	Longview, TX	$28,720	$21,030	$32,500	$32,090
341	Amarillo, TX	$28,710	$21,500	$32,260	$31,270
342	Rocky Mount, NC	$28,530	$24,040	$30,740	$32,420
343	Lubbock, TX	$28,530	$21,370	$32,050	$31,240
344	Abilene, TX	$28,510	$21,940	$31,740	$31,550
345	Hilton Head Island, SC	$28,410	$23,320	$30,920	$28,980
346	Birmingham, AL	$28,350	$23,760	$30,610	$30,930
347	Macon, GA	$28,330	$21,570	$31,660	$32,000
348	Rapid City, SD	$28,240	$25,380	$29,650	$31,670
349	Beaumont, TX	$27,970	$20,530	$31,630	$31,060
350	Clarksville, TN-KY	$27,950	$23,660	$30,070	$30,730
351	Athens, GA	$27,890	$21,550	$31,020	$29,880
352	Knoxville, TN	$27,700	$21,800	$30,600	$29,920
353	Corpus Christi, TX	$27,560	$22,330	$30,140	$29,740
354	Cleveland, TN	$27,410	$22,780	$29,690	$31,120
355	Eagle Pass, TX	$27,400	$23,560	$29,290	$32,690
356	Sumter, SC	$27,290	$20,920	$30,430	$31,000
357	Spartanburg, SC	$27,280	$20,700	$30,530	$29,960
358	Columbus, GA-AL	$27,150	$20,640	$30,360	$30,400
359	Huntsville, AL	$27,030	$21,750	$29,640	$29,040
360	Enid, OK	$26,850	$22,600	$28,940	$31,860
361	Johnson City, TN	$26,830	$20,040	$30,180	$30,510
362	Daphne, AL	$26,830	$22,270	$29,070	$28,330
363	Morristown, TN	$26,600	$20,920	$29,400	$30,800
364	Albany, GA	$26,560	$19,500	$30,050	$30,300
365	Gulfport, MS	$26,540	$21,380	$29,080	$29,490
366	Lawrence, KS	$26,440	$19,620	$29,800	$29,300
367	Auburn, AL	$26,440	$21,290	$28,970	$30,070
368	Myrtle Beach, SC	$26,420	$22,460	$28,370	$28,210
369	Augusta, GA-SC	$26,240	$20,270	$29,180	$28,550
370	Mobile, AL	$26,140	$22,120	$28,120	$29,670
371	Montgomery, AL	$26,050	$21,790	$28,140	$29,050
372	Guayama, PR	$25,760	$22,410	$27,400	N/A
373	San Juan, PR	$25,460	$22,510	$26,920	N/A
374	Decatur, AL	$25,410	$21,590	$27,290	$29,140
375	Jackson, MS	$25,360	$20,160	$27,920	$28,480
376	Hattiesburg, MS	$25,220	$19,910	$27,840	$28,780
377	Lafayette, LA	$25,090	$19,570	$27,810	$28,770
378	Florence, SC	$24,990	$21,080	$26,910	$28,800
379	Houma, LA	$24,970	$22,620	$26,120	$29,340
380	Aguadilla, PR	$24,920	$22,080	$26,320	N/A
381	Mayaguez, PR	$24,510	$22,400	$25,550	N/A
382	Ponce, PR	$24,440	$22,170	$25,550	N/A
383	Florence, AL	$24,340	$21,700	$25,640	$28,700
384	Dothan, AL	$24,300	$21,610	$25,630	$28,990
385	Arecibo, PR	$24,230	$22,410	$25,130	N/A
386	Anniston, AL	$24,220	$20,490	$26,060	$28,180
387	San Angelo, TX	$24,050	$19,680	$26,210	$26,010
388	Tuscaloosa, AL	$23,920	$20,720	$25,500	$27,270
389	Hammond, LA	$23,780	$20,630	$25,330	$28,160
390	Gadsden, AL	$23,140	$20,000	$24,690	$27,020
391	Alexandria, LA	$22,590	$19,400	$24,160	$26,360

More on teaching assistants

Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education career profile Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education salary by state Cost of living calculator

Method

About these numbers

Mean wages are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) May 2025 estimates for each metropolitan statistical area, as published in the Department of Labor’s 2026–27 OFLC prevailing-wage file. Only metros with their own BLS estimate are listed.
Entry (Level I) and experienced (Level IV) are the Department of Labor’s prevailing-wage levels for the occupation in that metro, used for employer visa filings. They are benchmarks from the same OEWS survey, not percentiles.
OEWS top-codes wages at $115 an hour ($239,200 a year); top-coded means are shown as "$239,200+" and left out of rankings.
At US prices divides the mean by the metro’s BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) over 100, a NueCareer calculation.

Questions

Teaching Assistant, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education salary by city: FAQ

Which city pays teaching assistants the most?

Seattle, WA, where the average (mean) wage is $54,720 a year, followed by Mount Vernon, WA ($54,130), San Francisco, CA ($52,640), Bremerton, WA ($51,970). The national mean is $39,260 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).

Where do teaching assistants earn the most after cost of living?

Divided by each metro's BEA price level, pay goes furthest in Decatur, IL ($53,720 at national prices, $47,500 nominal), Mount Vernon, WA ($52,840 at national prices, $54,130 nominal), Bellingham, WA ($49,630 at national prices, $51,280 nominal).

How much do teaching assistants make in the biggest cities?

New York, NY-NJ: $42,530; Los Angeles, CA: $46,770; Chicago, IL-IN: $39,820; Dallas, TX: $33,090; Houston, TX: $30,670 (mean annual wage, BLS OEWS May 2025).

Where do teaching assistants earn the least?

Of the 391 metro areas with their own estimate, Alexandria, LA has the lowest mean wage, $22,590. At local prices that is worth $26,360.