There are currently an estimated 168,300 graduate teaching assistants in the United States. The graduate teaching assistant job market is expected to grow by 7.7% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are graduate teaching assistants?
CareerExplorer rates graduate teaching assistants with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 16,700 graduate teaching assistants. That number is based on 12,900 additional graduate teaching assistants, and the retirement of 3,800 existing graduate teaching assistants.
Are graduate teaching assistants in demand?
The growth of opportunities for graduate teaching assistants is directly related to a positive job outlook for university and college professors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that prospects for the occupation of professor are decidedly optimistic, a fact that translates into similar demand for graduate teaching assistants. The number of undergraduate students attending schools that offer graduate degrees is expected to almost double over the next decade; this trend will also contribute to strong employment prospects in this field. The level of competition, however, will also be high. This is because the number of graduate students is predicted to far exceed the number of teaching assistant openings, allowing educational institutions to choose among many qualified applicants. Selection criteria in this field will invariably favour candidates who have earned a Master’s Degree or are registered in a Master’s or Doctoral study program. Job seekers are expected to steadfastly pursue employment with institutions that pay for their graduate study program as part of their compensation package.
What’s the supply of graduate teaching assistants?
The graduate teaching assistant industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Florida
Graduate Teaching Assistant job market by state
| State Name | Employed Graduate Teaching Assistants |
|---|---|
| California | 20,900 |
| Texas | 14,420 |
| Florida | 13,060 |
| Michigan | 12,140 |
| New York | 11,740 |
| Georgia | 7,590 |
| Indiana | 4,720 |
| Maryland | 4,200 |
| Connecticut | 3,290 |
| Wisconsin | 3,250 |
| Arkansas | 3,140 |
| Arizona | 2,970 |
| Minnesota | 2,920 |
| Illinois | 2,820 |
| New Jersey | 2,630 |
| Virginia | 2,570 |
| Missouri | 2,310 |
| Utah | 1,990 |
| Massachusetts | 1,860 |
| New Mexico | 1,680 |
| Oklahoma | 1,660 |
| Ohio | 1,560 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,510 |
| Louisiana | 1,480 |
| Hawaii | 1,390 |
| North Carolina | 1,370 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,270 |
| Oregon | 1,220 |
| Washington | 680 |
| Maine | 630 |
| Idaho | 540 |
| Mississippi | 370 |
| Iowa | 280 |
| West Virginia | 190 |
| Kansas | 170 |
| Alabama | 90 |
| Montana | 80 |
| Kentucky | 30 |