Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other.: The DTI for this program is 55.4%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $19113) to the average debt ($10583) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 55.4%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($19113) against the typical student debt ($10583), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $19113, with grads carrying about $10583 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.55—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 2942 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Teaching Assistants/Aides, Other (CIP 13.1599) is a specialized field focused on providing targeted instructional and behavioral support within diverse educational environments. While standard teaching assistants focus on general classroom help, this "Other" category is often reserved for those working in highly specific settings such as special education niches, alternative schools, juvenile justice education, or adult literacy centers.
This field is ideal for "educational support specialists"—individuals who prefer one-on-one or small-group interaction and are dedicated to helping students with unique challenges overcome barriers to learning.
What Is a Teaching Assistants/Aides (Other) Degree?
A degree or certificate in this category focuses on the practical implementation of learning plans. Because it falls into the "Other" category, these programs often emphasize specialized interventions, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for students with autism or bilingual support for English Language Learners (ELL). Students learn how to translate a lead teacher's broad curriculum into personalized tasks that a specific student can master. It is a social-service-oriented major that combines education, psychology, and crisis management.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train "Paraprofessionals" to work with students with severe physical or cognitive disabilities
- Develop experts in Behavioral Intervention who can de-escalate high-stress classroom situations
- Prepare aides for Title I schools who focus on closing the achievement gap in low-income areas
- Study the legalities of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and student privacy laws
What Will You Learn?
Students learn that the "Aide" is often the person who spends the most direct time with the most vulnerable students, requiring a unique blend of scientific knowledge and emotional resilience.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Master Modification Techniques—changing a lesson’s difficulty without changing the subject matter
- Use "Assistive Technology" like speech-to-text devices or specialized mobility equipment
- Perform Data Collection on student behavior and academic progress for legal documentation
- Apply "De-escalation Strategies" to help students manage sensory overload or emotional outbursts
- Assist with physical needs, including specialized feeding or mobility support for medically fragile students
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including speech therapists and social workers
Topics You May Explore
Coursework is a mix of educational theory and clinical practice:
- Child and Adolescent Development: Understanding the milestones of physical and mental growth.
- Special Education Law: Navigating the rights of students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
- Instructional Strategies for Literacy: Specialized ways to teach reading to non-traditional learners.
- Classroom Management: Techniques for maintaining a safe and productive learning environment.
- Health and Safety in Schools: Training in First Aid, CPR, and specialized medical protocols.
- Cultural Competency: Learning how to support students from diverse linguistic and social backgrounds.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
Graduates find roles as the "backbone" of inclusive classrooms and specialized learning centers.
Common job roles include:
- Special Education Paraprofessional: Working one-on-one with a student who has an IEP.
- Behavioral Technician: Implementing behavior plans for children with developmental delays.
- Adult Literacy Tutor: Helping adults in community centers gain basic reading and math skills.
- ESL Instructional Aide: Supporting non-native speakers in a general education classroom.
- Residential Youth Counselor: Providing educational support in group homes or treatment centers.
- Library Media Assistant: Helping students navigate digital research and literacy tools.
Where Can You Work?
Specialized aides work wherever students require extra support to succeed:
- Public and Private K-12 Schools: Specifically in inclusive or "self-contained" classrooms.
- Specialized Day Schools: Facilities dedicated exclusively to students with specific disabilities.
- Early Childhood Centers: Working with toddlers who show signs of developmental delays.
- Correctional Facilities: Providing educational support for incarcerated youth or adults.
- Vocational Training Centers: Helping students with disabilities learn job-related skills.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings in this field are generally lower than lead teaching roles, but specialized aides in medical or behavioral settings often earn higher wages.
- Special Education Aides: Median annual salary of approximately $32,000–$42,000.
- Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT): Salaries typically range from $38,000 to $52,000.
- Public School Paraprofessionals: Salaries often range from $28,000 to $38,000 depending on the district.
- Adult Education Aides: Median annual salary of around $35,000–$48,000.
Is This Degree Hard?
The difficulty is in the emotional and physical demand. You must be highly patient and capable of remaining calm when a student is struggling or acting out. The role often requires physical stamina for moving between classrooms or assisting students with mobility. Academically, you must be a "quick study," as you may need to help a student with math one hour and history the next. It requires a high level of "observational intelligence" to see small changes in a student's progress.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Have a high level of empathy and a "servant’s heart"
- Prefer working "behind the scenes" to support a student’s success
- Are interested in psychology and how different brains learn
- Want a career in education but don't want the administrative burden of being a lead teacher
- Are patient, flexible, and can find joy in small, incremental "wins"
How to Prepare in High School
- Take classes in Psychology, Sociology, and Child Development
- Volunteer as a peer buddy for students in special education programs
- Gain experience in childcare or as a camp counselor
- Practice your "patience"—work in roles that require high-level customer service or caregiving
- Learn the basics of Sign Language or another second language to increase your value as an aide
The ability to provide the specific, individualized support that allows a struggling student to access their education is the hallmark of a successful teaching assistant.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor