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Graduate Teaching Assistant

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What is a Graduate Teaching Assistant?

Position 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.

List of Graduate Teaching Assistant Job Duties

  • Provide instructors with assistance in the use of audiovisual equipment.
  • Teach undergraduate level courses.
  • Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers and record grades.
  • Copy and distribute classroom materials.
  • Provide assistance to faculty members or staff with laboratory or field research.
  • Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.

What Every Graduate Teaching Assistant Should Know

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.

  • Exam Proctor
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
  • Graduate Teaching Associate
  • Research Assistant (RA)
  • Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)

Are There Job Opportunities 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. There will be an estimated 14,400 positions for Graduate Teaching Assistant per year.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of a Graduate Teaching Assistant

The typical yearly salary for Graduate Teaching Assistants is somewhere between $18,320 and $59,290.

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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 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

How to Become a Graduate Teaching Assistant

Are there Graduate Teaching Assistants education requirements?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Graduate Teaching Assistants Sector

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

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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