Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, teaching assistants, except postsecondarys earn $44,930 at the median. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $41,296 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 100.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $45K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About teaching assistants, except postsecondarys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level teaching assistants, except postsecondarys (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K.Top earners bring in $58K or more - a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $47K | +34% | 41,650 |
| California | $45K | +29% | 160,960 |
| District of Columbia | $45K | +27% | 3,280 |
| Maine | $44K | +24% | 9,000 |
| Minnesota | $38K | +8% | 37,410 |
| Massachusetts | $38K | +8% | 37,750 |
| New Hampshire | $37K | +6% | 7,180 |
| Connecticut | $37K | +5% | 20,920 |
| Vermont | $37K | +5% | 5,470 |
| North Dakota | $37K | +4% | 5,550 |
| Delaware | $37K | +4% | 4,390 |
| Virginia | $37K | +4% | 34,460 |
| New York | $37K | +4% | 134,590 |
| Oregon | $37K | +4% | 22,330 |
| Wisconsin | $36K | +2% | 25,790 |
Track teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do teaching assistants, except postsecondarys make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $44,930 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,320, and experienced teaching assistants, except postsecondarys can clear $58,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,096/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 100.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median teaching assistants, except postsecondary salary is worth about $41,296 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do teaching assistants, except postsecondarys get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.