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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Instructional Assistant in California is $40,399 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, an Instructional Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Instructional Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $43,898 | $3,658 | $844 | $21 |
| Average | $40,399 | $3,367 | $777 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,285 | $3,024 | $698 | $17 |
Black Hills Special Services Cooperative - San Jose, CA
Growing Minds Early Education Programs - Escondido, CA
AMETHOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Oakland, CA
United Cerebral Palsy Associations Inc - Manteca, CA
An Instructional Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Instructional Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Instructional Assistant | $38,245 |
| Intermediate Level Instructional Assistant | $38,561 |
| Senior Level Instructional Assistant | $40,142 |
| Specialist Level Instructional Assistant | $41,428 |
| Expert Level Instructional Assistant | $42,097 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Instructional Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Instructional Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Instructional Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Instructional Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $60,599 | $29.0 | 50% |
| Business Services | $48,479 | $23.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Instructional Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $43,898 | $3,658 | $844 | $21 |
| Average | $40,399 | $3,367 | $777 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,285 | $3,024 | $698 | $17 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Instructional Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
United Cerebral Palsy Associations Inc
Stockton, CA
United Cerebral Palsy Associations Inc | Stockton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Summary: Works under direct supervision of program management to provide functional skills training and personal care to ... more
5 Days Ago
Forte Behavioral Health LLC
Inglewood, CA
Forte Behavioral Health LLC | Inglewood, CA
Forte Behavioral Health LLC seeks an Instructional Assistant to support clinicians delivering ABA therapy and behavioral health services. In this onsite ro... more
5 Days Ago
Ascension Lutheran School
Thousand Oaks, CA
Ascension Lutheran School | Thousand Oaks, CA
Job Description. Job Description. An instructional assistant supports the primary teacher in a classroom. As an instructional assistant, you work with stud... more
7 Days Ago
AMETHOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Richmond, CA
AMETHOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Richmond, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Amethod Public Schools (AMPS) is mission and values driven organization. Our mission is to provide a rigorou... more
7 Days Ago
Sierra Vista Child & Family Services
Modesto, CA
Sierra Vista Child & Family Services | Modesto, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Apply Here. https://secure.onehcm.com/ta/SVCFS.jobs. ShowJob=704811204. &. TrackId=ZipRecruiter. (3) Full-Time Positions ... more
3 Days Ago
River Delta Unified School District
Clarksburg, CA
River Delta Unified School District | Clarksburg, CA
Classified Employee Salary Schedule Range 5 $19.14 - $22.19 hourly Placement dependent on experience in public education 183 Days a year Monday - Friday 7:... more
3 Days Ago
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