What Does it Take to Be a Graduate Teaching Assistant?
Graduate Teaching Assistant Example Assist faculty or other instructional staff in postsecondary institutions by performing teaching or teaching-related duties, such as teaching lower level courses, developing teaching materials, preparing and giving examinations, and grading examinations or papers. Graduate teaching assistants must be enrolled in a graduate school program. Graduate assistants who primarily perform non-teaching duties, such as research, should be reported in the occupational category related to the work performed.
Life As a Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Assist faculty members or staff with student conferences.
- Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.
- Order or obtain materials needed for classes.
- Notify instructors of errors or problems with assignments.
- Schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students.
- Tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.
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Things a Graduate Teaching Assistant Should Know How to Do
When polled, Graduate Teaching Assistants say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Research Assistant (RA)
- Instructor
- Graduate Student
- Proctor
- Teaching Assistant (TA)
Is There Going to be Demand for Graduate Teaching Assistants?
There were about 168,300 jobs for Graduate Teaching Assistant in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,900 new jobs for Graduate Teaching Assistant by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Graduate Teaching Assistant are Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Illinois, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Average Salary
Graduate Teaching Assistants make between $18,320 and $59,290 a year.

Graduate Teaching Assistants who work in Massachusetts, Washington, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
How much do Graduate Teaching Assistants make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $23,740 |
Arkansas | $20,590 |
California | $36,350 |
Colorado | $39,190 |
District of Columbia | $38,220 |
Florida | $29,110 |
Georgia | $26,460 |
Idaho | $29,730 |
Illinois | $43,670 |
Indiana | $40,140 |
Iowa | $31,370 |
Kansas | $36,390 |
Louisiana | $31,220 |
Maine | $23,970 |
Maryland | $46,840 |
Massachusetts | $55,020 |
Michigan | $36,820 |
Minnesota | $52,650 |
Mississippi | $39,390 |
Missouri | $31,170 |
Montana | $18,850 |
New Jersey | $36,390 |
New Mexico | $27,040 |
New York | $38,520 |
Ohio | $47,400 |
Oklahoma | $26,590 |
Oregon | $36,950 |
Pennsylvania | $44,960 |
South Carolina | $37,880 |
Tennessee | $23,330 |
Texas | $34,930 |
Utah | $51,750 |
Washington | $53,180 |
West Virginia | $21,670 |
Wisconsin | $36,190 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Graduate Teaching Assistants
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Graduate Teaching Assistants:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- SAS
- Google Docs
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Learning management system LMS
- Blackboard Learn
- Course management system software
- Sakai CLE
- Desire2Learn
- iParadigms Turnitin
Becoming a Graduate Teaching Assistant
Learn what Graduate Teaching Assistant education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Graduate Teaching Assistant?

Graduate Teaching Assistants Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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