How much do teaching assistants get paid? Many people think it’s over £20k, but actually, most take home closer to £17k. Still, their work is so important — they help teachers, support children with special needs and sometimes even cover whole classes. But life as a TA isn’t always easy. Many juggle second jobs, move to supermarket work for better income, or even rely on food banks to get by. That’s why it helps to know how their wage really works.
In this blog, we’ll share exactly how much do teaching assistants get paid in 2025, why their salary depends on the minimum wage, how schools and universities differ, and what could make compensation fairer.
What Teaching Assistants Actually Do
A teaching assistant, or TA, is someone who helps teachers and supports students every day. In fact, there are over 280,000 TAs in England, and most are women. About 93% of them are women, and roughly 80% work part-time or only during school terms.
However, a TA’s job is more than just helping teachers. For example, they help children with special needs and step in when teachers are away. Sometimes, they even give a little medical care. All in all, TAs keep schools running and make sure every child feels supported and cared for.
How Much Do Teaching Assistants Get Paid?
Teaching assistants in the UK earn approximately the following:
- Most TAs take home: £12,000–£14,000 per year (term-time or part-time work).
- Full-time salary range: £19,000–£26,000.
- Higher Level TAs: Up to £30,000 (full-time equivalent).
- Hourly wage: Starts at approximately £12.65/hour, higher for experienced or Higher Level TAs.
The Pay You See vs The Pay You Get
The Pay You See
On paper, full-time TAs earn between £19k and £26k. Higher Level TAs can make up to £30k. At first glance, this looks like a good salary and makes the job seem secure.
The Pay You Get
But most TAs actually take home only £12k–£14k. That’s because their payment is only for school terms, not the whole year. This means the income is spread over fewer weeks. Only about 1% earn over £26k, and nearly 20% earn less than £13k. So, many TAs have to budget carefully or even take extra jobs just to manage.
Why the Numbers Don’t Add Up
Schools spread most TA income over 39 weeks, not the full 52 weeks of the year. For example, a £19k role ends up around £14k after pro-rata. Because of this, about 80% of TAs earn less than the salary as it looks on paper.
On top of that, many TAs don’t get paid for holidays or breaks, even though they still do planning or training. Plus, extra tasks like helping children with special needs or covering absent teachers don’t always bring extra payment. So, the numbers can be very misleading, and many TAs have to stretch their wage just to get by.
The Real Reason TA Pay Goes Up
TA income doesn’t usually increase because of education rules. Instead, it mostly follows the National Living Wage (NLW). In 2025, the NLW is £12.21 per hour. So, councils have to raise the minimum wage for TAs to match it. This helps make sure TAs aren’t paid too little, even when schools have tight budgets.
As a result, the lowest TA rate is now about £12.65 per hour. If it were a full-time, year-round job, that would be around £24.4k. However, most TAs work part-time or only during school terms, so the real yearly income is much lower. Even a small rise in the minimum wage can make a big difference for TAs trying to get by.
TA Pay Rises: A Quick Look Back
TA salaries have been going up slowly over the past few years. For example, in 2022, TAs got a yearly rise of £1,925, and in 2023, they got the same increase again. Then in 2024, the increase was smaller, at £1,290. This year, 2025, the wage is going up by 3.2%.
Meanwhile in Scotland, TAs are getting slightly bigger yearly rises — 4% in 2025 and 3.5% in 2026 — to reach at least £15 per hour by 2026. Still, even with these increases, many TAs feel their compensation doesn’t fully match the hard work and care they give every day.
Why Pay Rises Don’t Always Help
Salary rises don’t always make life easier for TAs. For example, the government pays for teacher salaries, but not for TA income. So, schools have to use their own money to cover any increases.
Because of this, some schools may cut TA jobs, reduce hours, or hire fewer new assistants. Also, extra tasks like helping children with special needs or covering classes usually don’t come with additional payment. In the end, even when salaries go up, many TAs still struggle to make ends meet and feel their work isn’t fully appreciated.
Why Many TAs Are Ready to Walk Away
Many TAs are thinking about leaving their jobs. Almost half are already looking for new work, and over a quarter are doing second or even third jobs just to pay their bills.
Some rely on food banks, while others, like supermarkets, pay more for less stress. Plus, TAs often take on extra tasks, like helping children with special needs, covering classes, or even giving basic medical care — all without extra wages. Many TAs feel overworked, undervalued, and ready to walk away, and they still care deeply about their students.
Pay in Universities: A Different Story
Graduate TAs usually earn £16–£20 per hour and they also get holiday pay. But hours are often limited, so total income can still be low. Many TAs rely on these jobs while studying, which can make money tight.
For example, in 2024, Sheffield University introduced a better deal. Universities now pay TAs for preparation time, sick leave and improved contracts. This shows that universities can offer fairer wages and respect for the work TAs do. Unions hope that these changes will spread to all universities, giving TAs more security, recognition, and a fair reward for their efforts.
What Could Make TA Pay Fairer
Unions have some clear ideas to make TA salary better. For example, they want a minimum of £15 per hour, a proper national pay scale, and clear career steps so TAs can grow in their jobs.
Also, more funding for schools would mean wage rises don’t lead to job cuts or shorter hours. Plus, TAs should get recognition and extra payment for the additional work they do, like helping children with special needs, covering classes, or supporting teachers with planning.
In the end, fair salary, better contracts, and proper recognition could help TAs feel valued and secure, making it easier to keep skilled, experienced staff in schools.
Easy Takeaways
Here’s what you need to know about TA compensation:
- Most TAs take home around £12–14k, not the £20k+ you sometimes see in ads.
- Income often follows the minimum wage more than the education rules.
- Scotland is moving faster than England and Wales to improve the TA wage.
- University TAs are slowly getting better contracts and extra benefits.
- Without extra school funding, salary rises can lead to job cuts or shorter hours for TAs.
In the end, TAs do so much every day, yet their wages often don’t match the hard work and care they give.
FAQs
- How much do teaching assistants get paid in the UK?
Most TAs earn around £12–14k per year, though full-time salaries on paper can be £19–26k.
- How much does a TA get paid per hour?
The bottom rate is about £12.65/hour, with some Higher Level TAs earning more.
- Do teaching assistants get paid during the school holidays?
Schools pay most TAs only during term-time, so they usually don’t receive income during school holidays.
- What is a TA pay scale?
A TA pay scale shows the official salary range for different levels, like standard or higher-level TAs.
- How many hours is full time for a TA?
Full-time is usually 37–39 hours per week, but most TAs work part-time or term-time only.
- Is being a TA a good job?
It can be rewarding because you help students and support teachers, but pay and hours can be challenging.
Final Note
TAs are the quiet backbone of classrooms and lecture halls. They work hard every day, supporting teachers and helping students. Now that you know how much teaching assistants get paid, you can clearly see the care, effort, and dedication they put into their work.
If you’re inspired to start your own journey, visit Unified Course and check out our Teaching Assistant Course to gain the skills and confidence you need to succeed in this rewarding career.
