Teacher Aide Jobs in the United States

Teacher Aide Jobs Overview

Are you passionate about teaching and working with kids? If you’re looking for a role to start out in the education system, teacher aide jobs might be for you. This profession also has a stable job outlook, with an expected growth rate of 5% over the next ten years.

People in teacher aide jobs support the classroom teacher by assisting students. Plus, they perform basic clerical tasks. Working as a teacher aide can be a great starting point if you’re planning to become a teacher in the future and want to start gathering some practical experience. Or, you may be looking for a long-term career in education support to fit your lifestyle.

A teacher aide’s responsibilities often overlap with those of a teacher assistant. Generally, the main difference is that the former mostly works with kids as young as preschool or elementary school age and guides them in their interactions and social activities. The latter assists older children in completing tasks given by the teacher.

Other duties found in teacher aide jobs include:

• preparing and tidying materials for lessons
• employing computers, printers, and other school equipment
• supporting special needs students
• coordinating with classroom teachers
• supervising students during class, play time, trips, and while loading and unloading buses
• assisting staff meetings or training sessions
• ensuring school rules are respected
• leading activities to improve students’ social development

Teacher aides work in schools, as well as in various types of childcare centers, and in religious organizations. They’re also flexible jobs, with both full-time and part-time schedules being common.

Salaries for Teacher Aide Jobs

The salary for a teacher aide is $13.5 per hour on average, meaning around $28,093 per year for full-time employees. Based on your experience, school contract, and location, you might also earn more than that.

For instance, below are the top-paying states for teacher aides and their average annual salaries:

• Washington: $43,670
• California: $41,900
• Massachusetts: $41,720
• District of Columbia: $41,130
• Connecticut: $39,450

Learn how much you could be making as a teacher aide in your city. Simply head to Monster’s Salary Page. Our calculator will also provide you with helpful insights on the locations in which the role is in high demand, as well as salaries for related jobs.

How to Find the Best Teacher Aide Jobs

Teacher aide jobs are usually entry-level roles, but that doesn’t mean you should pick just any one without careful consideration. Here are our tips to choose the best one for you:

Determine Your Needs and Preferences

Consider your interests, skills, and the preferred grade levels or subjects you would like to work with. Perhaps you prefer assisting younger kids in their playtime because you’re creative and can always come up with a new game. Maybe you prefer working with older kids to help them learn how to interact in social settings.

Then, think about whether you prefer working in public or private organizations, full-time or part-time. It might be more competitive to get into the public environment, but you might be paid more. On the other hand, in private institutions, you may have more flexibility.

Analyze the Job Openings

Now that you’ve established your essentials for a job start scanning the teacher aide jobs listed on Monster. Evaluate if you have the required education and skills. You don’t have to meet every single requirement, but addressing any gaps in your cover letter is helpful.

Next, carefully go through the job responsibilities. Are they in line with what you expect? Watch out for uncommon tasks. Finally, try to grasp the organization’s culture to understand if it’s a good fit for you. You can do so by examining the tone used in the job ad and by exploring the official education institution’s website.

How to Apply to Teacher Aide Jobs

Secure more interviews for teacher aide jobs by creating detailed job applications that will capture the attention of recruiters. Here’s how:

Update Your Resume for Teacher Aide Jobs

Before graduating to the teachers’ side of the classroom, you must ace a couple more tests: writing a persuasive resume and cover letter. If this is the first time you’re creating a resume, or you’re not happy with your current one, download our teacher assistant resume sample. You'll love it for its clear and practical layout.

Not sure what skills to include in your resume? Use the job listing to guide you. The more keywords your resume and the job ad share, the higher your chances of selection. Qualities you’ll need to thrive in the education environment include:

• patience
• interpersonal communication
• active listening
• creativity

Although many schools often provide on-the-job training, certificates always help. So include any relevant ones, like the CPR certification or the AMI Orientation from the Montessori Institute in a dedicated section.

If you need an expert eye on your work, contact Monster’s Resume Writing Services. We’ll help you optimize a resume that showcases your unique experience and skills. So, you’ll both pass Automatic Tracking System (ATS) screenings and impress recruiters.

Tips for Your Teacher Aide Cover Letter

Pair your resume with a teacher aide/assistant cover letter. Just like your resume, avoid writing one generic cover letter for all the teacher aide jobs you apply for. Each one must be tailored to the specific role. This means including details about why you want to work for a certain company, such as:

• Do they use a teaching method that you’re particularly interested in?
• Are they renowned for certain values that align with your own?
• Do they offer career advancement paths?

Next, explain why they should choose you. Talk about your experience and skills. Maybe you have multiple years of experience in babysitting or tutoring. Maybe you have younger siblings or cousins you helped take care of and that ignited your passion for working with kids. Let your personality come through and show enthusiasm.

Proofread your resume and cover letter one more time, create a free candidate account on Monster, and apply. You can also opt-in to receive teacher aide job listings as soon as they’re online. Plus, you might be contacted directly by schools looking for new hires on Monster’s candidate pool.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

When you apply for one or more teacher aide jobs but don’t hear anything back within a couple of weeks, consider following up. It’s a polite way to seek updates about your applications while staying on the schools’ radars as a motivated candidate.

A follow-up after sending an application doesn’t need to be lengthy but it should consist of the following elements:

• reminding the institution which role you applied for
• reinstating your interest in the position
• briefly pitching why you’re an ideal fit for the teacher aide role
• offer to answer any questions or provide additional information

Interviewing Tips for Teacher Aide Jobs

Before heading to any job interview, make sure to get familiar with the most common types of interviews:

• screening interview
• virtual interview
• behavioral interview
• panel interview
• case interview

Understanding what each type entails can help you better prepare and increase your chances of success. On top of this, make sure to:

Research the School or Organization

When looking for new hires, schools, and other educational organizations look for skills and experience, as well as shared values with the institution. Researching the organization helps you not only to perform better during the interview but also to determine if the organization is a good fit for you in the long run.

Prepare for Teacher Aide Interview Questions

When preparing for an interview for a teacher aide position start with preparing answers to questions like “Why do you want to be a teaching assistant?”. Working with kids can be challenging. This is why hiring managers want candidates that are truly passionate and enthusiastic about the role.

The next few questions usually focus on your skills and experience, so be sure to include examples in your answers. Teacher aides share various responsibilities with the classroom teacher. Have a look at our sample teacher interview questions and answers for extra support.

Be ready to address hypothetical scenarios that might occur with kids, such as injuries or temper tantrums. The STAR method is your best bet for an easy and straightforward approach. Finally, have questions of your own for the school. Ask about:

• responsibilities to better understand expectations
• the teacher team you would support
• your potential schedule

Follow Up After the Interview

No later than 24 hours after the interview, get in touch with the recruiter with a thank you e-mail. In this message:

• express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview with the school
• mention something specific you enjoyed talking about with them
• remind them of why you’re a strong candidate
• invite them to contact you for any further questions

Then, if you don’t get an answer within a week prepare to make a follow-up call.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Getting a job offer for a teacher aide role is an exciting opportunity that calls for celebration. Good job! Before accepting any proposal, however, make sure to follow a few simple steps:

1. Thank the Employer and Give a Timeframe for an Answer

Expressing gratitude is the first thing you should do when you receive a job offer. Acknowledge the hiring efforts of the organization and thank them for their time. Next, even if you’ve already decided to accept, ask for some time to review the offer. Anywhere between 24 to 72 hours is a reasonable time.

2. Review the Offer Package

Read through the job offer e-mail or letter to understand all the terms of the position. Pay attention that responsibilities, work hours, PTO, salary, benefits, and the starting date align with what you discussed in the interview.

3. Assess the Entire Package Offer

Consider if the offer is in line with your career goals, financial situation, and other relevant personal circumstances. Work environment and school culture are other two important factors you should weigh in.

4. Negotiate When Necessary

If you love the job but some of the contract terms don’t satisfy you, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Build a bulletproof case to explain why you deserve what you’re asking for and be polite. Remember also that you can negotiate benefits, not just compensation.

Teacher Aide Job Career Paths

Are you open to further developing your education and your skills? There are various careers you could pursue after you have experience in a few teacher aide jobs. For example, you could progress to become:

• A teacher. With experience and additional education, you could become a teacher. In this role you’d be the primary head of the classroom. You’d be responsible for planning and delivering lessons, managing classroom activities, and assessing students.
• A special education teacher. If you have a particular interest in working with students with special needs, pursue certifications and training in this area. You’ll be able to support students with diverse learning needs.
• A school counselor. If you have a passion for supporting students’ social-emotional well-being, school counseling could be for you. In this role you’d provide counseling services, support mental health, and address social issues impacting students.
• An education administrator. As a teacher aide, you also perform administrative tasks. This can make it easy for you to transition into administration for an educational organization. Some of the responsibilities you would have include curriculum development, staff training, and other operational tasks.

Similar Occupations

Would you consider other similar education jobs? You can find them all on Monster. Here are some of our candidates’ favorites:

• teacher assistant jobs
• tutoring jobs
• preschool teacher jobs