Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in California
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary in California earn a median of $49,140 a year, based on BLS data for 19,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,440 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $42,910. California ranks 16th of 45 states for teaching assistants, postsecondary pay. There are 1.1 teaching assistants, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, postsecondary in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,460 |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 |
| Median | $49,140 |
| 75th percentile | $64,280 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,440 |
| Average (mean) | $53,330 |
Half of teaching assistants, 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 | $4,095 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,047.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,890 |
| Weekly | $945 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, 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, Postsecondary salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | $63,220 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,780 | 4,800 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $50,310 | 640 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,280 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,120 | 2,400 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45,110 | 930 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,330 | 1,010 |
| Napa, CA | $40,080 | 30 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,940 | 5,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $38,640 | 540 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,440 | 1,200 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $58,330 |
| Massachusetts | $56,370 |
| Texas | $55,670 |
| New Jersey | $54,260 |
| Minnesota | $53,380 |
| Utah | $52,300 |
| Washington | $50,460 |
| North Carolina | $50,050 |
| North Dakota | $49,960 |
| Oklahoma | $49,920 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $97,010 | $46.64 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | $98,770 | $47.48 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $100,690 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $87,460 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $97,170 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-9044. 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, postsecondary make in California?
The median salary for teaching assistants, postsecondary in California is $49,140 a year. Pay ranges from $35,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, postsecondary make in California?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, postsecondary in California earn at least $77,440 a year. The top 25% earn $64,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, postsecondary in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,460 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, postsecondary earn $37,440 or less.
How many teaching assistants, postsecondary work in California?
About 19,120 teaching assistants, postsecondary are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.