Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $37,840 a year, based on BLS data for 46,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,100 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $36,780. Pay here is 2% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $36,990. There are 10 teaching assistants, except postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $32,780 |
| Median | $37,840 |
| 75th percentile | $46,210 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,100 |
| Average (mean) | $39,820 |
Half of teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,153.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,576.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,455.38 |
| Weekly | $727.69 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, except postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, IL | $48,480 | 550 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,410 | 10,010 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $36,360 | 9,540 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $36,250 | 3,760 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $36,060 | 1,320 |
| Peoria, IL | $35,970 | 1,980 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $35,930 | 800 |
| Kankakee, IL | $35,430 | 590 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $34,550 | 8,630 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $34,530 | 2,100 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $34,530 | 1,650 |
| Springfield, IL | $33,740 | 1,020 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $32,520 | 1,010 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $32,220 | 1,080 |
| Muncie, IN | $32,200 | 380 |
| Rockford, IL | $32,020 | 1,470 |
| Bloomington, IL | $31,710 | 800 |
| Bloomington, IN | $31,600 | 520 |
| Columbus, IN | $31,110 | 390 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $30,480 | 350 |
| Kokomo, IN | $30,440 | 300 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $30,150 | 700 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $29,970 | 350 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,400 | 1,010 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,070 | 600 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, except postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,120 |
| District of Columbia | $46,920 |
| Maine | $46,750 |
| California | $46,490 |
| Vermont | $43,800 |
| Minnesota | $40,100 |
| Oregon | $39,850 |
| Massachusetts | $39,380 |
| Virginia | $38,520 |
| New Hampshire | $38,440 |
See Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $35,760 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $77,900 | $37.45 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $46,390 | $22.30 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,390 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,970 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,000 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $43,050 | $20.70 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $79,690 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $82,350 | — |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $101,010 | — |
| Tutor | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | $80,440 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-9045. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37,840 a year. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $48,100 a year. The top 25% earn $46,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn $32,780 or less.
How many teaching assistants, except postsecondary work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 46,770 teaching assistants, except postsecondary are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.