What Do Graduate Teaching Assistant Do?
Job Description: 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: What Do They Do?
- Order or obtain materials needed for classes.
- Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.
- Provide instructors with assistance in the use of audiovisual equipment.
- Teach undergraduate level courses.
- Assist faculty members or staff with student conferences.
- Tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Graduate Teaching Assistant?
Below is a list of the skills most Graduate Teaching Assistants say are important on the job.
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:
- Exam Proctor
- Instructor
- Teaching Assistant (TA)
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
- Teaching Fellow
Is There Job 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.
Average Graduate Teaching Assistants Salary
The salary for Graduate Teaching Assistants ranges between about $18,320 and $59,290 a year.

Graduate Teaching Assistants who work in Massachusetts, Washington, or Minnesota, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Graduate Teaching Assistants 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Graduate Teaching Assistants Use?
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
What education or degrees do I need to become a Graduate Teaching Assistant?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Graduate Teaching Assistants?

Graduate Teaching Assistants work in the following industries:

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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