Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant in the United States is $43,489 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,853
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,493 to $47,867
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,943
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View as table View as graph 25% $38,493 10% $33,943 90% $51,853 75% $47,867 $43,489 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $47,867 $3,989 $921 $23
Average $43,489 $3,624 $836 $21
25th Percentile $38,493 $3,208 $740 $19
Check out Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Job Openings in the United States
Special Needs Assistant

Ohio Department of Education - Dayton, OH

INSTRUCTIONAL AIDE

The Greater Cincinnati School Application Consortium - West Chester, OH

Instructional Aide

Solon City School District - Solon, OH

Band Instructional Assistant FALL SY26

Cloverleaf Local School District - Seville, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salaries

A Kindergarten 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Kindergarten Instructional Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $48,151.
  • California: $47,969.
  • Massachusetts: $47,329.

Top Paying Cities for Kindergarten Instructional Assistants

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:

  • San Jose: $54,853
  • San Francisco: $54,252
  • Oakland: $53,109

What Skills Can Increase a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.87% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 6.98% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • Child Abuse (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Child abuse is not just physical violence directed at a child. It is any form of maltreatment by an adult, which is violent or threatening for the child.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.87%
First Aid 6.98%
Child Abuse 1.3%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant's salary.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • IDEA: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Special Education: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching
 $48,708
12%
IDEA
 $47,403
9%
Special Education
 $46,968
8%
Confidentiality
 $45,664
5%
Staff Development
 $45,664
5%
Pediatric
 $45,229
4%
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Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Kindergarten 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 Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Kindergarten Instructional Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Kindergarten Instructional Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$65,234$31.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$52,187$25.020%

How Education impacts a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Kindergarten Instructional Assistants enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant with a No Diploma is between $36,746 and $39,056).

Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Kindergarten Instructional Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 27.5%
Associates 24.5%
Bachelors 39.7%
Masters 7.2%
Doctorate 0.2%
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Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Kindergarten 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$38,493
Average $43,489/year
$47,867
$3,208
Average $3,624/month
$3,989
$740
Average $836/week
$921
$19
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $47,867 $3,989 $921 $23
Average $43,489 $3,624 $836 $21
25th Percentile $38,493 $3,208 $740 $19

Salaries of jobs related to Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Salary Trends for Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Salaries for a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $43,056 in 2023 to around $42,692 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Kindergarten Instructional Assistant salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Kindergarten Instructional Assistant Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$43,056
2024
$43,175
2025
$42,692
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $43,056
2024 $43,175
2025 $42,692
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Kindergarten Instructional Assistant

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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