Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $35,760 a year, based on BLS data for 8,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,850 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $42,910. Pay here is 1% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $36,040. There are 2.0 teaching assistants, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, postsecondary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,280 |
| 25th percentile | $35,310 |
| Median | $35,760 |
| 75th percentile | $48,240 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,850 |
| Average (mean) | $49,140 |
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 | $2,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,490 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,375.38 |
| Weekly | $687.69 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $35,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $50,110 | 2,480 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $46,910 | 110 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $43,430 | 530 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $39,640 | 220 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $37,540 | 350 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $36,050 | n/a |
| Bloomington, IL | $36,040 | 130 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $31,340 | 140 |
| Springfield, IL | $31,260 | 100 |
| Evansville, IN | $28,140 | 190 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $28,020 | n/a |
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 |
See Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $37,840 | — |
| 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 25-9044. 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for teaching assistants, postsecondary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $35,760 a year. Pay ranges from $35,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, postsecondary make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, postsecondary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $96,850 a year. The top 25% earn $48,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, postsecondary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,280 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, postsecondary earn $35,310 or less.
How many teaching assistants, postsecondary work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 8,860 teaching assistants, postsecondary are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.