Teaching Assistant Jobs in Chicago, IL
Teaching assistants at Distinctive Schools' CICS campuses in Chicago start at $42,029 a year, and Illinois requires a Paraprofessional Educator License for the role. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring, what it pays and the four ways to qualify for that license.
Current teaching assistant Openings in Chicago, IL
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Teaching Assistant Work in Chicago
In Chicago the job goes by several names. Chicago Public Schools hires teacher assistants and special education classroom assistants, known across the district as SECAs, and the charter networks mostly post the role as paraprofessional. Much of the demand comes from special education: assistants carry out IEP and behavior plans, support students one-on-one and help with personal care.
CPS recruits for these roles at paraprofessional job fairs at its 145 S. Campbell Ave. office on the Near West Side, and it hires substitute SECAs at $29 an hour. Distinctive Schools is hiring paraprofessionals at CICS campuses including Bucktown, Irving Park, Longwood, Loomis and Prairie, while Noble, KIPP Chicago and the Archdiocese's 311 Catholic schools hire for their own classrooms.
Top Chicago Employers Hiring Teaching Assistants
These employers hire teaching assistants and paraprofessionals on their own careers sites:
- Chicago Public Schools - hires teacher assistants and SECAs, plus substitutes in both roles at $22 and $29 an hour.
- Distinctive Schools - has paraprofessional openings at five CICS campuses with a starting salary of $42,029.
- Noble Schools - the 17-school charter network lists paraprofessionals among the roles it hires.
- KIPP Chicago - the charter network lists paraprofessionals at $18 to $31 an hour in its pay information.
- Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools - hires support staff and paraprofessionals across Cook and Lake counties.
Teaching Assistant Salaries in Chicago
- Entry level: about $18 to $22 an hour, the range of KIPP Chicago's starting rate and the CPS substitute assistant rate.
- Experienced: roughly $38,000 to $46,000 a year, from the metro median up to the 75th percentile.
- Senior: $46,000 to $48,000 or more, or up to $31 an hour at the top of KIPP Chicago's range.
These are estimates from employers' posted pay and BLS May 2025 data, which puts the Chicago metro median at $37,840 a year. Special education work pays more: CPS pays substitute SECAs $29 an hour against $22 for substitute teacher assistants, and permanent CPS assistants move up a union salary schedule with years of service.
How to Become a Teaching Assistant in Chicago
Illinois requires a Paraprofessional Educator License from the Illinois State Board of Education. You qualify with any one of four routes: an associate's degree or higher; 60 semester hours of college; a high school diploma plus a score of 460 or higher on the ETS ParaPro test; or a high school diploma plus qualifying ACT WorkKeys scores. Applicants are generally 19 or older, though 18-year-olds can qualify to work with pre-K through 8th grade. ISBE's temporary Short-Term Approval was open to new applicants only until June 30, 2026. City Colleges of Chicago offers Child Development: Early Childhood Education certificates and associate degrees at six campuses, including Harold Washington and Kennedy-King, and a Special Education AA at all seven.
What the Job Involves
Teaching assistants work under a licensed teacher, leading small groups, reinforcing lessons one-on-one, and helping students with disabilities follow their IEPs. The day can include collecting progress data, managing behavior plans, supervising lunch and recess, and helping students with mobility, feeding or toileting.
Skills Employers Look For
- An Illinois Paraprofessional Educator License
- Patience with students who need behavior support
- Experience following IEPs and behavior intervention plans
- Accurate data collection on student progress
- Ability to lift and assist students physically
- Spanish for bilingual classrooms
Career Path and Advancement
Assistant work is a common first step toward teaching in Chicago. With an associate's degree you can apply to the bachelor's track of the CPS Teacher Residency, which pays $40,000 during the training year and leads to a Professional Educator License. Others add a Substitute Teaching License to take sub days, move into one-on-one special education roles, or finish a degree in special education and become a diverse learners teacher.
Related Careers in Chicago
If teaching assistant work interests you, these related Chicago roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a license to be a teaching assistant in Chicago?
Yes. Illinois public schools, charters included, require a Paraprofessional Educator License from ISBE for assistants who work with students. You can qualify with an associate's degree, 60 college credit hours, or a high school diploma plus a passing ParaPro or WorkKeys score.
How much do teaching assistants make in Chicago?
The Chicago metro median is $37,840 a year. Distinctive Schools starts paraprofessionals at $42,029, KIPP Chicago lists $18 to $31 an hour, and CPS pays substitute teacher assistants $22 an hour.
What is a SECA at CPS?
A SECA is a special education classroom assistant, the CPS title for an assistant who supports students with disabilities. CPS pays substitute SECAs $29 an hour, up to $210 a day.
What score do I need on the ParaPro test?
Illinois accepts a score of 460 or higher on the ETS ParaPro Assessment, combined with a high school diploma or GED. Along with WorkKeys, it is the route for applicants without college credit.
Can a teaching assistant become a teacher in Chicago?
Yes. Assistants with an associate's degree can apply to the bachelor's track of the CPS Teacher Residency, which pays a $40,000 salary during training. Others finish a degree part-time while they keep working in the classroom.
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