NOC 4413 banner

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

(NOC 4413)
Annual Earnings
$54,226
Typical Education Background
Diploma/Certificate Excluding Apprenticeship
Job Openings
(2022-2032)
5,510

Career Overview

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants – often known as education assistants or EAs – support students by providing help to teachers and counsellors. They help with teaching and with other tasks, such as personal care and behaviour.

Duties

Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants:

  • Work under the supervision of teachers or other child-care professionals
  • Work with individual students and small groups
  • Reinforce students’ learning using lessons and methods developed with the classroom teacher
  • Help students with assignments
  • Help build students’ social skills, emotional skills and self-esteem
  • Offer encouragement to help students fit into the classroom and the school community
  • Assist with children’s personal care
  • Observe students and share their observations with the classroom teacher
  • Assist students with special needs using sign language, braille and other supports
  • Supervise students on field trips and during activities in school gyms, labs, libraries and resource centres

They may help teachers operate audio-visual and electronic equipment. They may also monitor students during recess and lunch hour. In addition, they may help in the school library or office or perform other duties assigned by the school principal.

Earnings

Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.

Annual Earnings

$54,226

Provincial Hourly Rate

High$29.00/hr
Median$26.00/hr
Low$20.00/hr
Source: B.C. Labour Market Information Office, derived from 2022 Job Bank Wage data

Work Environment

# Workers Employed

17,900

% Employed Full Time

10%
Source: 2016 Census

Teacher assistants work in public and private elementary, middle and high schools. They also work in special schools and treatment centres. They play an important role in both in-class and online learning.
They usually work school hours and may spend some of their time outdoors.

Teacher assistants often move from classroom to classroom throughout the day, taking on various tasks. They may help a student understand an assignment, deal with a physical need or manage anxiety. Whatever the challenge, they work as part of a team with the shared goal of helping children thrive.

Career Pathways

Teacher assistants may specialize in supporting children with severe behaviour, autism, hearing impairment or other special needs.

With experience, elementary and secondary school teacher assistants can move into other jobs related to child and adolescent care.

Occupational Interests

It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.

For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.

Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:

Social
Social

Job Titles

Assistant, education (EA)
Assistant, student support
Assistant, teaching
Assistant, teaching - special education
Paraeducator / paraprofessional educator
Program assistant - education
Student monitor
Supervisor, lunchroom

Education, Training and Skills

Teacher assistants need a high school diploma. Most jobs also require completion of a 10-month college program in teaching assistance, educational assistance or another social science.

Teacher assistants who help students with special needs usually need specific training and experience.

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

  • Teacher Assistant/Aide
EducationPlannerBC Logo
Find out more information about programs offered specifically for this career.

Skills

Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.

Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.

See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

66%
Speaking

Talking to others to share information effectively.

66%
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

60%
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

56%
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

56%
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

56%
Learning Strategies

Choosing and using training, instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

53%
Monitoring

Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

53%
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

53%
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

53%

Labour Market Statistics

Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.

Employment

Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.

Employment

17,900
Source: 2016 Census

Employment by Region

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Employment (2022) % Employment of this Occupation
Cariboo 830 4.0%
Kootenay 820 3.8%
Mainland/Southwest 10,060 57.7%
North Coast and Nechako 480 3.6%
Northeast 390 2.0%
Thompson-Okanagan 2,330 12.1%
Vancouver Island/Coast 3,290 16.7%
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Labour Market Outlook

The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.

Forecasted Job Openings (2022-2032)

5,510
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Forecasted Job Openings

Forecasted Employment Growth Rate

Composition of Job Openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job Openings by Region (2022-2032)

Map of BC Map of Cariboo region Map of Kootenay region Map of Mainland/Southwest region Map of North Coast and Nechako region Map of Northeast region Map of Thompson-Okanagan region Map of Vancouver Island/Coast region
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland/Southwest
North Coast and Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island/Coast
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Region Job Openings Avg. Annual Employment Growth
Cariboo 0 -1.8%
Kootenay 180 -0.4%
Mainland/Southwest 3,510 0.8%
North Coast and Nechako 10 -0.9%
Northeast 40 -0.5%
Thompson-Okanagan 740 0.5%
Vancouver Island/Coast 1,030 0.6%
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Industry Highlights

Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.

Forecasted Job Openings by Industry

IndustryJob Openings (2022-2032)
Educational Services64,500
For additional industry information, visit the Industry Profiles page.
Source: 2016 Census and B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Insights from Industry

The employment rate for elementary and secondary school teacher assistants has increased in recent years. Also, extra funding introduced with the return to in-class learning after the COVID-19 pandemic created more jobs.

Teacher assistants often gain great satisfaction from making a positive difference in students’ lives.

Resources