Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary in Columbia, MO
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $35,270 a year, based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $36,780. Pay here is 3% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $36,300. There are 5.3 teaching assistants, except postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $35,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 |
| 25th percentile | $29,190 |
| Median | $35,270 |
| 75th percentile | $37,510 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,060 |
| Average (mean) | $35,960 |
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 | $2,939.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,469.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,356.54 |
| Weekly | $678.27 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $36,520 | 8,690 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,410 | 10,010 |
| Springfield, MO | $35,950 | 1,430 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $35,500 | 440 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $35,050 | 800 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $30,840 | 400 |
| 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $47,220 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $58,720 | — |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,920 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $48,590 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $30,740 | $14.78 |
| Library Technician | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,290 | — |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,160 | — |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $60,570 | $29.12 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $120,590 | — |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,270 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Columbia, MO metro area is $35,270 a year. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, except postsecondary make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, except postsecondary in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $46,060 a year. The top 25% earn $37,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, except postsecondary in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, except postsecondary earn $29,190 or less.
How many teaching assistants, except postsecondary work in Columbia, MO?
About 570 teaching assistants, except postsecondary are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.