Sounds like you are being overpaid.

If I recall correctly, we were generally $14 to 20/hr if not otherwise under grant.. and that was when I was there. You people down Mass Ave are underpaid.

at the U of MN, the appointment for my TAs this semester is 195 hours total at $12.50/hour.

at upenn i know that the MS students get $4K for the semester... not sure what that works out to hourly, but they're expected to spend about 8 hours/week on the class... i assume that the MArch students get the same compensation.

at sci-arc everything is paid out of federal work study at 10$ an hour

At Ohio State (at least a few years ago), TAs received full tuition waivers + $1000/month for 20 hrs/week of work throughout the semester.

The real issue you should worry about is what kind of experience and connections you are getting from the job. Working as a TA for a professor who plays a leadership role in an area you are interested in should give you the skills to contribute to that area. One of the lowest paid TA jobs I had included the chance to work as a researcher and editor on two good books, so I know how to write well. I also got to see how he approached publishing, so I know what it takes to place a good article.

A good TA position can help you make professional connections in the area you want to work, which is also more valuable than the pay. But in either case, you have to do the same sorts of things you'd do in another job -- research the supervisor, and be an advocate for your role.

For the record, I'd say yes, that's underpaid for a TA. I made more as a TA a decade ago ($15 an hour to start $40 an hour at peak), and my best student job paid $65 an hour. At $13.50 an hour, I wouldn't even treat the role as a job -- unless it is your first job. Certainly, show up on time, well groomed and rested, and make an ernest effort to address your supervisors' interests. But keep some focus on what you can get out of the experience. Every role is negotiable, even if the published hourly rate is institutionally mandated.

If you need the money, I'd imagine that in Boston you could get a job as a night watchman or computer tech that would let you get schoolwork done while on the clock at a better pay rate. Or learn a trade; a carpenters' assistant has to pocket at least that much, and you'll be doing quite well by the time you reach the end of your degree.

i was an march student who ta'd at upenn and i made 10$/hour which counted as workstudy. granted, this was for a class, not studio and i think studio ta's made more/were allowed to work more? but i also did a workstudy job and every spring semester i would use up my yearly award and have to do all kinds of bs to get through the red tape to get paid more than that allotted award. between the workstudy and being a ta, i'd probably make about 5k for the year. i definitely felt taken advantage of. though i still really liked being a ta, and did it for two years.

this was even more insulting after being a phd student at columbia where being a ta got me a full tuition waver AND a 16900 stipend (and covered my health insurance).

University of Cincinnati: 110 hours/quarter $1600 so.... $14.50/hour