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Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary: Who Earns More?

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary out-earn Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary by $44K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary land at $80,340 and Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary at $36,780. The education gap is real: psychology teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while teaching assistants, except postsecondary programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary is California ($107,340); for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary it's Washington ($49,120).

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
Median salary
$80,340
$36,780
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$49,050
$27,150
Senior level (90th %)
$153,600
$50,040
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
41,530
1,420,350
Job growth (10-year)
3.6%
-1.5%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary median pay.

State
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
California
$107,340
$46,490
Delaware
$102,340
$37,830
District of Columbia
$101,250
$46,920
New York
$100,720
$38,240
North Dakota
$97,110
$38,240
New Hampshire
$95,030
$38,440
Connecticut
$84,500
$38,110
Massachusetts
$82,930
$39,380
Minnesota
$82,640
$40,100
Maine
$81,660
$46,750
Vermont
$81,100
$43,800
Oregon
$80,060
$39,850
Washington
$78,330
$49,120
Virginia
$77,950
$38,520
Wisconsin
$77,580
$37,800

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary earn more nationally. The median is $80,340 for Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary versus $36,780 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, a difference of $44K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary has the better 10-year outlook at 3.6% projected growth, compared to -1.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary or Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary?

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary typically requires bachelor's degree. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary at $107,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary earn $107,340 vs. $46,490 for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Full Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary salary breakdownView →Best cities for Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary by take-home payExplore →How to become a psychology teachers, postsecondaryGuide →How to become a teaching assistants, except postsecondaryGuide →