Teaching Assistant Jobs in Phoenix, AZ
Teaching assistant jobs in Phoenix start at the $15.15 state minimum at some districts and reach about $19.44 an hour for specialized roles at Phoenix Union. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring and the paraprofessional requirements Arizona schools use.
Current teaching assistant Openings in Phoenix, AZ
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Teaching Assistant Work in Phoenix
Phoenix school districts mostly post this job as instructional assistant or paraprofessional, so search for all three titles; that is how Washington Elementary, Paradise Valley Unified and Phoenix Union list it. Special education drives most of the hiring. Paradise Valley Unified had at least 20 special education instructional assistant openings in September, from Shadow Mountain and Paradise Valley high schools to Eagle Ridge and Quail Run elementaries in northeast Phoenix, and some of its personal care roles call for a CNA or LPN.
North of downtown, Washington Elementary is posting instructional assistants, special needs preschool aides and Head Start classroom staff at schools such as Ocotillo and Manzanita, while Phoenix Union hires ELL instructional assistants at Metro Tech, where a second language is preferred. The work follows the school calendar: Paradise Valley's assistants work nine months at 6.5 hours a day, and Washington Elementary's run on a 195-day calendar.
Top Phoenix Employers Hiring Teaching Assistants
These districts, charter schools and staffing firms had instructional assistant or paraprofessional roles open on their own sites this month:
- Paradise Valley Unified School District - the northeast Phoenix district hires special education instructional assistants at $17.50 an hour across its elementary and high schools.
- Washington Elementary School District - the north Phoenix and Glendale district posts instructional assistant, preschool and Head Start roles at $15.15 to $17.20 an hour.
- Phoenix Union High School District - the central Phoenix high school district hires ELL instructional assistants and special education personal assistants.
- Great Hearts Academies - the classical charter network hires teaching assistants and special education instructional assistants at its Valley academies.
- Kelly Education - the K-12 staffing firm recruits paraeducators for Phoenix-area schools alongside its substitute teachers.
- ESS - the education staffing firm fills paraprofessional positions for Phoenix Union High School District.
Teaching Assistant Salaries in Phoenix
- Entry level: about $15.15 to $17.20 an hour for general instructional assistants.
- Experienced: roughly $17.50 to $18.50 an hour for special education instructional assistants.
- Senior: $18.59 to $19.44 or more an hour for specialized special education and personal care roles.
These are estimates from current Phoenix district postings. Federal 2025 data puts the metro's median teaching assistant pay near $36,450 a year, and because the job runs on a school calendar, annual earnings are lower than the hourly rate suggests. Special education assignments, personal care roles that require a CNA or LPN, and bilingual skills are what move pay up.
How to Become a Teaching Assistant in Phoenix
Arizona does not license teaching assistants. Instead, districts apply the federal paraprofessional standard the Arizona Department of Education publishes: a high school diploma or GED plus an associate degree, or 60 college credit hours, or a passing score on the ETS ParaPro Assessment, ACT WorkKeys or Master Teacher ParaEducator. You also need a valid IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Washington Elementary and Paradise Valley also require CPR certification. Mesa Community College and South Mountain Community College offer a 27-credit Certificate of Completion in Instructional Assistance that covers classroom strategies, language acquisition and a practicum.
What the Job Involves
Teaching assistants work alongside a certified teacher, leading small reading and math groups, reinforcing lessons one-on-one and helping with classroom routines. In special education they follow each student's IEP, support behavior plans and may help with personal care, feeding or mobility. Assistants also supervise at lunch, recess and dismissal.
Skills Employers Look For
- Paraprofessional qualification by degree, credits or ParaPro score
- Patience with students who need behavior support
- Experience with IEPs and special education settings
- Spanish or another second language for ELL classrooms
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Reliability on a fixed school-day schedule
Career Path and Advancement
Teaching assistant is a common first job in Phoenix schools and a direct route to teaching. Many assistants move into lead instructional assistant roles, then use Arizona's Teacher Apprenticeship pathway, which counts two to four years of classroom work under a mentor teacher toward a standard certificate. Others finish a degree at Grand Canyon University or ASU and step into a special education classroom of their own.
Related Careers in Phoenix
If teaching assistant work interests you, these related Phoenix roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to be a teaching assistant in Phoenix?
Not necessarily. You need a high school diploma or GED plus an associate degree, 60 college credits, or a passing score on an approved test such as the ParaPro. Some non-instructional aide roles need only a diploma and experience with children.
How much do teaching assistants make in Phoenix?
Current postings run from $15.15 to $17.20 an hour at Washington Elementary, $17.50 at Paradise Valley Unified, and $18.59 to $19.44 for specialized roles at Phoenix Union. Special education and personal care jobs pay the most.
What is the ParaPro test?
The ETS ParaPro Assessment is a reading, writing and math test the Arizona Department of Education accepts in place of college credits. Passing it qualifies you for instructional assistant jobs in Title I schools without an associate degree.
Do teaching assistants work in the summer?
Usually not. Paradise Valley Unified's assistant jobs run nine months, and Washington Elementary's run on a 195-day calendar, so most assistants are off when school is out.
Can a teaching assistant become a teacher in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona's Teacher Apprenticeship pathway lets full-time school employees earn a standard teaching certificate after two to four years of classroom experience under a mentor teacher, and the Arizona Department of Education describes it as a no-cost route.
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