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How much do graduate assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate assistant in Virginia is $19.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.00 and $21.20 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Assistant, you generally need strong academic credentials in your field, research and analytical skills, and enrollment in a graduate program. Familiarity with educational technology platforms, data analysis tools, or laboratory equipment (depending on the discipline) is often required. Excellent communication, time management, and teamwork skills help you effectively support faculty and collaborate with students. These skills are vital for balancing multiple responsibilities while contributing to academic and research excellence.

What is the difference between Graduate Assistant vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate AssistantResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled graduate student, often with a relevant degreeUndergraduate or graduate student, sometimes with specific research experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic settings, assisting in teaching or administrative tasksResearch labs, projects, or fieldwork within academic or research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, academic departmentsResearch institutions, universities, government agencies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, responsibilities, and qualificationsClarifying research duties and experience needed

While both roles support academic and research activities, a Graduate Assistant typically assists with teaching or administrative tasks while pursuing a graduate degree. A Research Assistant focuses primarily on conducting research projects, often requiring specific research skills. The roles often overlap in academic settings, but their main focus and responsibilities differ.

What are Graduate Assistants?

Graduate Assistants (GAs) are graduate students who work part-time at a college or university, typically assisting faculty or departments with teaching, research, or administrative tasks. These positions often provide a stipend and/or tuition waiver in exchange for their work. Graduate Assistants gain valuable professional experience while pursuing their advanced degrees, and their responsibilities can vary widely depending on the department and the specific assistantship. Common duties include helping with classroom instruction, grading assignments, conducting research, or supporting university operations.

What are some common challenges Graduate Assistants face when balancing academic work with assistantship responsibilities?

Graduate Assistants often juggle coursework, research, and their assistantship duties, which can include teaching, grading, or administrative tasks. Time management is a frequent challenge, as deadlines for academic work and assistantship responsibilities can sometimes overlap. Setting clear expectations with supervisors, prioritizing tasks, and using organizational tools can help maintain a healthy balance. Open communication with faculty and peers also plays a crucial role in managing workload and reducing stress.

What Is the Job of a Graduate Assistant?

The job of a graduate assistant is to perform research, teach, or work at a university as part of their academic education. Graduate assistants are typically doctoral candidates, but some master’s students may also qualify to work in this position. Your duties in this career differ depending on your role and the level of class at which you assist. For example, many large lecture classes need graders, readers, and teaching assistants, all with separate responsibilities. On the other hand, if you work in labs or departmental offices, you may work as a full-time researcher.

More about Graduate Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Graduate jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Graduate Assistant jobs in Virginia? For Graduate Assistant jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Assistant jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Assistant jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Graduate Assistant jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Graduate Assistant job openings:
Graduate Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Assistant job openings in Virginia as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,323 per year, or $19.4 per hour.
Graduate Student Assistant - Exercise Science

Graduate Student Assistant - Exercise Science

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA • On-site

Part-time

Posted 8 days ago

Liberty University rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 82 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

149th of 535 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Working independently and exercising good judgment and discretion, the Graduate Assistant (GSA or TA) works on campus in an academic support role for the University. These roles can range from teaching your own classes, overseeing students, grading academic assignments, scheduling, sending emails, lecturing, etc. The Graduate Assistant works a maximum of 20 hours per week (12m - 1040) throughout their contracted time length.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Work under the direction and supervision of the Dean, Department Chair, or Professor to whom assigned.
  • Be present for all necessary events put on by the department and the Graduate School.
  • Attend all Orientations and training sessions per the direction of the department and The Graduate School.
  • Uphold and follow the Community Standards and respected Honor Code (provided by the Office of Community Life), as well as the Graduate Assistantship Handbook.
  • Create and edit any and all PowerPoint, Excel, or Word documents.
  • Track Attendance using Top-Hat and post in Canvas.
  • Administer/proctor exams: monitor students during exams to avoid talking, laptop browsing, and cheating; answer questions and manage Top-Hat or Canvas technologies.
  • Grade subjective and objective quizzes/tests/exams and written assignments within university specified timeframes.
  • Communicate through email and Canvas with students regarding absences/attendance issues/meetings/any course related questions responding within university specified timeframes.
  • Manage excused absences, doctors' notes, student athletes.
  • At the direction of the Office of Disability Accommodation Support, provide any academic accommodations to students by managing tests and assignments for these students with the Testing Center or making modifications to third party tests/Canvas to meet these requirements.
  • Maintain regular business office hours to provide availability and interaction with students either in person or over MS Teams as directed by their supervisor/chair/dean.
  • Assist the department with miscellaneous administrative tasks/projects and any other various responsibilities.
  • Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
  • Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU's mission.

Teaching Assistant (TA)
  • May take the role as a primary or secondary instructor for undergraduate course(s) in an academic year. Courses will be assigned to the TA at the direction of the Dean or Department Chair.
  • Preparing and developing the course material in all classes that the TA is assigned to, as either a primary or secondary instructor. TA can also use course material given by the guidance of the Dean, Department Chair, or professor.

Graduate Student Assistant (GSA)
  • Assist in a support role for the assigned professor in class related functions.
  • Assist and conduct research under the direction of a supervisor in relation to the department's goals or needs, as approved by the Academic Administration and The Graduate School.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Graduate Assistant Supervisors are responsible for abiding by the Graduate Assistantship Handbook and overseeing the Teaching Assistant for their respective departments. This should be in line with the tasks and responsibilities that will be assigned to their Teaching Assistant. They are to monitor and assess the Teaching Assistants academic, professional, social, and spiritual growth. In addition, they will also complete Graduate Assistants evaluations for every new hire at the end of their first semester and for returners, at the end of the year.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS
Education and Experience
Teaching Assistant (TA)
  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university preferred.
  • Minimum Qualifications: Must be accepted into, or currently enrolled in a doctorate program by the start date.
  • Preferred Qualifications: Must be enrolled in a doctorate program and have previous teaching experience.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to attain an understanding of all technical systems that support the role of being a TA.
  • Must live in the local area in order to report to work on campus.

Graduate Student Assistant (GSA)
  • Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.) degree from a four-year college or university preferred.
  • Minimum Qualifications: Must be accepted into, or currently enrolled in a master's or doctorate program by the start date.
  • Preferred Qualifications: Must be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program and have previous teaching experience.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office.
  • Ability to attain an understanding of all technical systems that support the role of being a GSA.
  • Must live in the local area in order to report to work on campus.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB
Communication and Comprehension
  • Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well articulated information.
  • Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
  • Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University to a variety of business, government and community customers and associates.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Computer and scheduling skills.

Problem Solving
  • Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities
  • Required to travel to local and campus locations.
  • May be required to sit to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.
  • Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus.
  • Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
  • Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Environment
The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well lighted and the noise level is moderate. Working environment also includes facilitation of events outdoors occasionally.
Driving Requirements
Use of one's personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver's license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.
Time Type
Part time
Location
Lynchburg - In Office
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University's hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the "religion" component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.

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