Education & Library
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
Also called: Classroom Aide, Educational Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Kindergarten Assistant
US median pay
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not published
Job growth 2025–35
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Openings a year (US)
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Typical entry education
High school diploma
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Assist 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.
What they do day to day
- Supervise students in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, school yards, and gymnasiums, or on field trips.
- Tutor and assist children individually or in small groups to help them master assignments and to reinforce learning concepts presented by teachers.
- Enforce administration policies and rules governing students.
- Teach social skills to students.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
- Discuss assigned duties with classroom teachers to coordinate instructional efforts.
- Present subject matter to students under the direction and guidance of teachers, using lectures, discussions, supervised role-playing methods, or by reading aloud.
- Clean classrooms.
- Observe students' performance, and record relevant data to assess progress.
- Organize and label materials and display students' work in a manner appropriate for their eye levels and perceptual skills.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.8/5
- Service Orientation3.5/5
- Coordination3.5/5
- Instructing3.4/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Negotiation2.9/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.1/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Public Safety and Security3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma27%
- Post-secondary certificate20%
- Some college17%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.