Explore This Path
Primary and Secondary Teaching Assistant
💰 Earn $40K-$50K
📚 Bachelor Degree
⏱️ 12–24 Month Training
📈 -0.3% Job Growth
- Inspire young minds by supporting teachers in dynamic learning environments.
- Make a difference in education by enhancing classroom experiences and student success.
- Engage in diverse tasks, from classroom support to library assistance and more.
What Primary and Secondary Teaching Assistants DoAssist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
- Assist in bus loading and unloading.
- Assist librarians in school libraries.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
- Clean classrooms.
- Collect money from students for school-related projects.
Primary and Secondary Teaching Assistants Education, Salary, and GrowthOnly you can decide how much you need to earn — but knowing what it actually costs to live in your area can help. The Family Budget Calculator can guide you.
Minimum EducationBachelor Degree
Career ProspectsSteady (Staying constant (within 1%))
Training Time1 to 2 years
Job Openings176,200 Annually
Median earnings
California Median
$46,490
Most earn within this range
median ▾
$40K25th percentile
$50K75th percentile
National Median
$36,780
Most earn within this range
median ▾
$31K25th percentile
$45K75th percentile
Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
- Relating with or serving others
- Using data or completing tasks
you value
- Accomplishing things
- Having support
- Having freedom
you are skilled in
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Time Management
Go Deeper: Primary and Secondary Teaching Assistants Explained
Primary and Secondary Teaching AssistantExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?
Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
Post-Bac FellowshipA post-baccalaureate fellowship typically offers recent college graduates the opportunity to gain work experience, conduct research, and further develop their skills in a specific field, enhancing their qualifications for more advanced career opportunities.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 1-3 years
Fellowship or Service ProgramA fellowship or service program typically provides individuals with opportunities to engage in meaningful community service or social impact work, while encouraging personal growth, developing leadership skills, and creating positive change in society.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 1-3 years
Workforce Development ProgramA workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years
Vocational SchoolA vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 6 months - 2 years
ApprenticeshipAn apprenticeship typically offers a combination of hands-on training and classroom instruction, leading to practical skills, industry-specific knowledge, and the potential for long-term employment in a specific trade or profession.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
Technology BootcampA technology bootcamp typically offers intensive training in specific tech skills, preparing participants for entry-level roles in the tech industry in a relatively short period of time.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in Less than a year
Professional UpskillingProfessional upskilling typically results in acquiring new or enhanced skills and knowledge relevant to a participant's current job or desired career path, leading to improved job performance, opportunities for career advancement, and greater employability.
🎓 Skills-Focused
⏱️ Finish in 1 week - 3 months
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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