Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $50,310 a year, based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,090 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $42,910. Pay here is 2% higher than the California statewide median of $49,140. There are 3.2 teaching assistants, postsecondary per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for teaching assistants, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 |
| 25th percentile | $37,410 |
| Median | $50,310 |
| 75th percentile | $76,050 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,090 |
| Average (mean) | $53,750 |
Half of teaching assistants, postsecondary earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,935 |
| Weekly | $967.50 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because teaching assistants, postsecondary are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Merced, CA | $63,220 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,780 | 4,800 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,280 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $45,120 | 2,400 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45,110 | 930 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,330 | 1,010 |
| Napa, CA | $40,080 | 30 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,940 | 5,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $38,640 | 540 |
| Fresno, CA | $37,440 | 1,200 |
Highest-paying states for teaching assistants, postsecondary
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $58,330 |
| Massachusetts | $56,370 |
| Texas | $55,670 |
| New Jersey | $54,260 |
| Minnesota | $53,380 |
| Utah | $52,300 |
| Washington | $50,460 |
| North Carolina | $50,050 |
| North Dakota | $49,960 |
| Oklahoma | $49,920 |
See Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,540 | — |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $95,790 | $46.05 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $101,030 | — |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $71,200 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $102,840 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $62,310 | $29.96 |
| Tutor | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Teachers and Instructors, All Other | $78,820 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $98,940 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $102,450 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $80,100 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-9044. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a teaching assistants, postsecondary make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for teaching assistants, postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $50,310 a year. Pay ranges from $34,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid teaching assistants, postsecondary make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of teaching assistants, postsecondary in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $81,090 a year. The top 25% earn $76,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for teaching assistants, postsecondary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,320 a year, and a quarter of teaching assistants, postsecondary earn $37,410 or less.
How many teaching assistants, postsecondary work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 640 teaching assistants, postsecondary are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.