Also called: Lab Instructor, Course Assistant, Undergraduate Learning Assistant
Helps college professors run labs, discussion sections, grading, and office hours.
A college TA might set up microscopes for a biology lab, walk around answering questions, then spend the evening grading quizzes. Some community colleges hire full-time lab assistants who keep science labs running all year.
May 2025 BLS figures; grad-student TAs often also get free tuition.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Usually a bachelor's degree; many are graduate students.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Any academic field.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS projects about-average growth (2024-34).
Medium risk for 10 years. AI grading and tutoring tools reduce TA hours; setting up labs and answering questions in person stay human.
Classes: AP Biology or Chemistry, Speech, Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 25-9044.
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