Teaching Assistant Jobs in Philadelphia, PA
The School District of Philadelphia employs about 3,000 special education assistants, and charter networks, Catholic schools and early learning centers hire classroom aides too. Many openings need only a high school diploma to start. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and what it takes.
Current teaching assistant Openings in Philadelphia, PA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Teaching Assistant Work in Philadelphia
The district is the biggest employer by far. From its offices at 440 N. Broad Street it hires Special Education Assistants, Early Childhood Teacher Assistants for its Pre-K Head Start classrooms, classroom assistants for deaf and hard of hearing students, and part-time Supportive Services Assistants in Title I schools. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers represents district paraprofessionals, which brings overtime at time-and-a-half past 40 hours and district-paid clearances. Outside the district, charter networks such as Mastery and Belmont, Archdiocese of Philadelphia parish schools, Overbrook School for the Blind and Children's Village on North 8th Street all post aide and assistant teacher roles.
Top Philadelphia Employers Hiring Teaching Assistants
These Philadelphia employers are hiring classroom assistants and aides for the 2026-27 school year:
- School District of Philadelphia - hires Special Education Assistants, Early Childhood Teacher Assistants and Supportive Services Assistants, with a high school diploma or GED as the listed requirement.
- Mastery Schools - the charter network is hiring part-time Classroom Assistant Paraprofessionals for its Philadelphia campuses.
- Belmont Charter Network - posts a kindergarten teaching assistant role at Inquiry Charter School that asks for a CDA, associate or bachelor's degree.
- Archdiocese of Philadelphia - Catholic elementary schools including St. Dominic and St. Martha are hiring PreK aides.
- Overbrook School for the Blind - hires full-time paraeducators and requires at least 20 hours of professional development a year.
- Children's Village - the child care center on North 8th Street hires assistant teachers for every age group.
Teaching Assistant Salaries in Philadelphia
- Entry level: about $26,000 to $29,500 a year, or about $15 an hour for substitute classroom assistants placed by ESS in district schools.
- Experienced: roughly $35,000 to $40,000 a year for assistants with several years in the classroom.
- Next step: $55,771, the 2025-26 starting salary for a School District of Philadelphia teacher with a bachelor's degree, for aides who earn a teaching certificate.
These are estimates based on the PA Department of Labor & Industry's May 2025 wages for the Philadelphia area, where teaching assistants average $35,250 a year. Pay moves with employer type, special education assignments, a college degree and summer work, which the district pays at the regular hourly rate.
How to Become a Teaching Assistant in Philadelphia
Many Philadelphia aide jobs start with a high school diploma or GED. Instructional paraprofessionals in Title I schools and special education classrooms must also meet Pennsylvania Department of Education rules: an associate degree, two years of college (48 credits), or a passing score on a state or local assessment. Special education paraprofessionals also need 20 hours of training every school year. There is no state license, though PDE offers a voluntary Credential of Competency for special education paraprofessionals. You will need FBI fingerprints, a PA State Police check and a PA Child Abuse History Clearance. Community College of Philadelphia, at 1700 Spring Garden Street, offers a 9-credit online Early Childhood Education Proficiency Certificate and a 62-credit Education - Early Childhood (Birth to 4th Grade) associate degree, both aimed at teacher assistant jobs.
What the Job Involves
Teaching assistants work alongside a lead teacher. They lead small reading and math groups, help individual students with assignments, supervise lunch and recess, prepare materials and help keep the classroom running. In special education, assistants may follow a student's IEP goals, help with personal care and track progress for the teacher.
Skills Employers Look For
- Patience with children of different ages and needs
- Following a teacher's plan and routines
- Small-group reading and math support
- Behavior support and de-escalation
- Reliability and punctuality
- Bilingual skills, especially Spanish
Career Path and Advancement
In Philadelphia the aide job can lead straight to a teaching certificate. The district's Pathways to Teaching program pays full tuition and books for PFT-represented support staff to earn an education degree and certification through Community College of Philadelphia, Holy Family University, La Salle University or Lincoln University, in exchange for two years teaching in the district. Penn GSE's Urban Teaching Residency also accepts paraprofessionals already working in Pennsylvania schools.
Related Careers in Philadelphia
If classroom support interests you, these related Philadelphia roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to be a teaching assistant in Philadelphia?
Not always. The School District of Philadelphia lists a high school diploma or GED for its assistant jobs. Instructional aides in Title I and special education classrooms must also have an associate degree, 48 college credits or a passing score on a state or local assessment.
How much do teaching assistants make in Philadelphia?
State wage data for May 2025 puts Philadelphia-area teaching assistants at an average of $35,250 a year, with entry pay near $26,000. ESS pays substitute classroom assistants $15 an hour in district schools.
Is there a license for paraprofessionals in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania does not license teaching assistants, but PDE sets education requirements for instructional paraprofessionals and offers a voluntary Credential of Competency for special education paraprofessionals.
Can a teaching assistant become a teacher in Philadelphia?
Yes. The district's Pathways to Teaching program covers tuition and books for PFT-represented staff who earn an education degree and certificate, with a two-year teaching commitment afterward.
What clearances do Philadelphia school aides need?
Pennsylvania requires three: FBI fingerprints, a PA State Police criminal record check and a PA Child Abuse History Clearance. Under the PFT contract, the district pays for clearances for its paraprofessionals.
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