Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary

Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary score 53 out of 100, which is elevated exposure to AI. That ranks #170 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 20 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 6 on its own and 8 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 9 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

53/ 100

Elevated

Rank: #170of 923 jobs
US workers: 164,090BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $42,910a year
In real AI use: 9 of 20tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 6 (30%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 8 (40%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 6 (30%)

Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Meet with supervisors to discuss students' grades or to complete required grade-related paperwork.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Notify instructors of errors or problems with assignments.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Complete laboratory projects prior to assigning them to students so that any needed modifications can be made.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Teach undergraduate-level courses.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers, and record grades.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or proctor examinations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Tutor or mentor students who need additional instruction.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Order or obtain materials needed for classes.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Provide assistance to faculty members or staff with laboratory or field research.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Provide instructors with assistance in the use of audiovisual equipment.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Assist faculty members or staff with student conferences.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
Schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Copy and distribute classroom materials.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Demonstrate use of laboratory equipment and enforce laboratory rules.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Attend lectures given by the supervising instructor.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
Arrange for supervisors to conduct teaching observations and provide feedback about teaching performance.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about teaching assistants, postsecondary and AI

Will AI replace teaching assistants, postsecondary?

Not entirely. Parts of the job are likely to change as AI takes over routine tasks. Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary score 53 out of 100 (elevated exposure), #170 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 14 of the job's 20 tasks, 6 of them on its own, while 6 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which teaching assistants, postsecondary tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites"; "Inform students of the procedures for completing and submitting class work, such as lab reports"; "Return assignments to students in accordance with established deadlines".

Which teaching assistants, postsecondary tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Lead discussion sections, tutorials, or laboratory sections"; "Schedule and maintain regular office hours to meet with students"; "Copy and distribute classroom materials".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 9 of the 20 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as teaching assistants, postsecondary, and what do they earn?

About 164,090 people in the US, with median pay of $42,910 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary

Task by task

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Questions about teaching assistants, postsecondary and AI

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