Educational support jobs in the USA are teacher assistant, paraprofessional, instructional aide and classroom aide roles that work with teachers to give students extra attention and instruction. Teacher assistants held 1,463,000 jobs in 2025, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects about 176,200 openings a year to 2035, even though total employment is expected to stay flat. The median wage was $36,780 a year in May 2025. Public schools generally want at least 2 years of college, an associate degree or a passed state or local assessment, on top of a high school diploma.
This guide covers what the job involves, pay, the federal and state requirements, the ParaPro test and the employers hiring now.
What Are Educational Support Jobs?
The BLS says "Teacher assistants also are called teacher aides, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, education assistants, and paraeducators." They work with or under the guidance of a licensed teacher. You will see the same work advertised under these titles:
| Job title | Where you will see it |
|---|---|
| Paraprofessional / paraeducator | Public school districts and charter schools |
| Teacher assistant / teacher aide | Elementary schools, preschools and child care centers |
| Instructional assistant / instructional aide | District job boards, often tied to reading or math support |
| Special education paraprofessional | Special education classrooms and inclusion support |
| Assistant teacher | Early learning centers such as KinderCare, Primrose and Goddard |
What Does a Teacher Assistant Do?
According to the BLS, teacher assistants typically:
- reinforce lessons with individual students or small groups;
- help teachers with recordkeeping, such as tracking attendance and grades;
- help teachers prepare materials and set up equipment;
- supervise students in class, between classes, at lunch and recess, and on field trips.
In special education, "When special education students attend regular classes, these teacher assistants help them understand the material and adapt the information to their learning style." They may also help students with basic needs such as eating or personal hygiene.
How Much Do Teacher Assistants Earn?
The BLS reports a median annual wage of $36,780 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,150, and the highest 10% more than $50,040. The mean was $38,290. Pay by the industries that employ the most teacher assistants:
| Employer type | Share of jobs | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 72% | $36,970 |
| Child day care services | 10% | $34,920 |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 9% | $37,090 |
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and OEWS, May 2025. BLS publishes annual wages only for this job, because many teacher assistants do not work year-round.
Individual postings can pay more. A KIPP Jacksonville paraprofessional posting in September 2026 offered a salary of $42,000 on a 12-month schedule.
Job Outlook
The BLS projects employment of teacher assistants to show little or no change (0%) from 2025 to 2035, a loss of about 4,900 jobs. Openings stay high anyway: about 176,200 a year, mostly to replace workers who move into other occupations or leave the labor force.
What Qualifications Do You Need?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education as some college, no degree, and says "Teacher assistants in public schools need at least 2 years of college coursework or an associate's degree."
The federal Title I rule
Paraprofessionals with instructional duties in programs funded by Title I, the federal program for schools with many low-income students, must meet 34 CFR 200.58. They need a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, plus one of these:
- at least two years of study at an institution of higher education;
- an associate's or higher degree;
- a pass on a formal state or local academic assessment showing knowledge of reading, writing and math and the ability to help teach them.
The ParaPro Assessment
One common option for that state or local test is the ETS ParaPro Assessment. It has 90 selected-response questions across reading, math and writing, takes 150 minutes, and can be taken at a test center or remotely. Check with your state or district which test and passing score they accept.
Special education and other requirements
- "Most states require teacher assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test."
- Some jobs require CPR and first aid certification.
- Schools run background checks. The KIPP Jacksonville posting, for example, requires a background check under Florida law.
- Some employers accept a state paraprofessional certification instead of college credits. KIPP Jacksonville accepts a high school diploma with a valid paraprofessional certification, or an associate's degree, or at least 60 completed college credit hours.
Early learning centers set requirements by state child care licensing rules and their own policies, so read each posting.
Full-Time, Part-Time and Summers
The BLS says "Most teacher assistants work full time, although part-time work is common." "Many teacher assistants do not work during the summer", though some work in year-round schools or summer school. Many child care centers stay open year-round.
Who Is Hiring for Educational Support Jobs?
About 72% of teacher assistants work for local public schools, so your school district's job board is the first place to look. These employers also hire support staff across many states:
1. KIPP Public Schools
KIPP is a national network of public charter schools. Its job board, careers.smartrecruiters.com/KIPP, has a School-based Support department, and in September 2026 it listed paraprofessional roles in Jacksonville, New Orleans, Nashville, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Stockton and Redwood City. KIPP notes that its regions and the KIPP Foundation are separate, and "your employer is the KIPP region, not the KIPP Foundation."
The Jacksonville paraprofessional posting covers instructional support, small-group interventions, literacy and math reinforcement, progress monitoring and testing support.
2. KinderCare Learning Companies
KinderCare runs about 1,600 early childhood education centers and more than 1,100 before- and after-school sites in 41 states and Washington, DC, according to its 2026 SEC filing. Search its careers page for assistant teacher and teacher roles.
3. Primrose Schools
Primrose has more than 560 schools and hires teachers, directors and support staff. It describes a path "From Teaching Assistant to Lead Teacher to School Leadership and beyond". Note that "Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise, and the respective Franchise Owner is the employer at each school", so wages and benefits differ by school. Apply through Primrose careers.
4. The Goddard School
Goddard has 665+ schools across 37 states and Washington, DC. Each school is privately owned and operated by a franchisee, and the franchise owner is the employer. Search by state and school on Goddard careers for assistant teacher roles.
5. Kumon
Kumon math and reading centers hire part-time center assistants who grade classwork and help students. Most centers are franchises, so your employer is usually the local center owner, not Kumon. Our Tutor Jobs in USA guide covers Kumon and other tutoring companies in detail.
How to Apply
- Pick the setting: a public school district, a charter network, special education, or an early learning center.
- Check your state's rules. If you lack 2 years of college or an associate degree, find out whether your district accepts the ParaPro or its own assessment.
- Search every title: paraprofessional, paraeducator, teacher assistant, instructional aide, special education aide and assistant teacher.
- Build your resume around work with children: tutoring, child care, coaching, camp, church or youth programs, and any special needs experience.
- Get CPR and first aid certification if the postings near you ask for it.
- Prepare for the interview. Expect questions on following a teacher's plan, handling behavior, working with students with disabilities and keeping student information private.
From Teacher Assistant to Teacher
Many teacher assistants go on to teach. The BLS lists kindergarten and elementary, middle school, high school and special education teachers among similar occupations, but becoming one takes a bachelor's degree and a state teaching license. Working as a paraprofessional while you study gives you classroom experience that teacher preparation programs and principals value. Our Teacher Jobs in USA guide explains the licensing route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is another name for an educational support worker?
The BLS says teacher assistants are also called teacher aides, instructional aides, paraprofessionals, education assistants and paraeducators.
How much do teacher assistants make in the USA?
The median annual wage was $36,780 in May 2025. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,150 and the highest 10% more than $50,040.
Do I need a degree to be a paraprofessional?
No bachelor's degree is needed. Public schools generally want 2 years of college or an associate degree, and Title I programs also accept a passed state or local assessment, plus a high school diploma.
What is the ParaPro test?
An ETS assessment with 90 selected-response questions in reading, math and writing, lasting 150 minutes. It is one way to meet the Title I assessment option where your state or district accepts it.
Is there demand for teacher assistants?
Yes. Employment is projected to stay flat from 2025 to 2035, but about 176,200 openings are expected each year as workers leave or change jobs.
Are teacher assistant jobs part-time?
Most are full time, but part-time work is common, and many teacher assistants do not work in the summer.
Do special education paraprofessionals need extra qualifications?
Often. The BLS says most states require teacher assistants who work with special-needs students to pass a skills test.
Where can I apply for educational support jobs?
Start with your local school district's job board, then check charter networks such as KIPP and early learning centers such as KinderCare, Primrose and The Goddard School.
People Also Search For
Paraprofessional jobs near me
Check your school district's job board first; local schools employ 72% of teacher assistants.
Teacher assistant salary
$36,780 median in May 2025.
Paraprofessional requirements
A high school diploma plus 2 years of college, an associate degree or a passed assessment.
ParaPro assessment
90 questions in reading, math and writing, 150 minutes.
Special education aide jobs
Most states require a skills test for special-needs teacher assistants.
Instructional aide jobs
The same work as a paraprofessional under a different title.
Teacher assistant job outlook
0% growth, but 176,200 openings a year to 2035.
Assistant teacher jobs at daycare
Child day care services pay a $34,920 median.
More Job Guides
Looking at other education jobs? These cover it:
- Teacher Jobs in USA — the licensing route from assistant to teacher.
- Tutor Jobs in USA — tutoring companies, pay and requirements.
- Preschool Teacher Jobs in Canada — early childhood work in Canada.
- Education Assistant Jobs in Australia — the same role in Australian schools.
- School Administrator Jobs in UK — school office work in the UK.
This article is for general informational purposes. Pay, job postings and paraprofessional requirements change and differ by state, district and employer. Confirm the current requirements with your state education agency and the employer before applying.
