How Much Salary for Teaching Assistant Compared to Teachers in the UK

How much salary for teaching assistant is a common question in the UK. Right now, most TAs earn about £12.50–£13 per hour after the 2025 NJC pay rise. Meanwhile, new teachers (ECTs) start on £30,000–£36,000 a year, depending on the area. But here’s the thing: many TA adverts show the full-time equivalent (FTE) pay, yet most jobs are term-time only, so your actual take-home is lower. Also, London weighting, your TA level (Level 2–3 or HLTA), and any SEN allowances can change your pay. 

With all that in mind, let’s dive into pay bands, teacher scales, pro-rata rules, regional differences, and smart ways to boost your TA earnings.

What’s the Pay Gap Between Teaching Assistants and Teachers in 2025?

Many councils now pay new teaching assistants about £12.65 an hour after the April 2025 NJC +3.2% pay rise. At the same time, new teachers earn around £32,916 a year outside London, and about £40,317 in Inner London. This shows that teachers usually earn much more than TAs because they work full-time and have extra responsibilities.

It’s also worth noting that most TAs work term-time only, so their take-home pay is lower than the full-time equivalent (FTE) rate. Hours and contract types can make a big difference when comparing earnings.

How Much Salary for Teaching Assistant in the UK?

Teaching assistant pay depends on experience and level. For example, entry-level TAs usually earn around £24,800–£26,000 a year if they work full-time. Then, Level 2–3 TAs make a bit more, about £26,400–£28,600. Finally, HLTAs, who take on extra responsibilities, earn around £29,500–£31,000 a year.

But keep in mind that most TAs work term-time only, so their actual take-home pay is lower than these full-time numbers. Small allowances, like SEN or 1:1 support, can add a little extra.

How Much Do Teachers Earn per Year?

Teacher pay in the UK depends on experience, role, and location. For example, new teachers, called ECTs, earn about £32,916 a year outside London and around £40,317 in Inner London. After that, teachers on the Main Pay Range make roughly £32,916–£52,300, depending on the area. Then, those on the Upper Pay Range earn between £47,472 and £62,496. Finally, teachers in leadership roles can earn £51,773 up to £143,796, depending on the job and region.

Also, most teachers work full-time and get paid holidays, so their take-home pay is higher than that of staff who work term-time only.

Why Teaching Assistant Pay Looks Lower Than It Is

Teaching assistant pay can initially seem low, but there’s more to it. Many TA adverts show full-time equivalent (FTE) pay, assuming you work all year. However, most TAs work about 39 weeks a year (term-time only) and often less than 37 hours a week, so the money you take home is less than the FTE number.

For example, a TA on £25,185 FTE working 39 weeks at 30 hours per week would take home around £15,000. Small extras, like SEN or 1:1 support, can add more. TAs usually earn less in practice than the full-time figure suggests.

Regional Differences: London Weighting and Local Scales

London Weighting: Why Pay Is Higher in the Capital

If you work in London, you’ve probably noticed that TA pay tends to be higher than in other parts of the UK, thanks to London weighting. It’s basically extra money added to your salary to help balance out the higher cost of living in the city.

For example, entry-level TAs in Inner London usually start around £12.65–£13.47 per hour, while schools outside London often pay slightly less. The same goes for teachers — new teachers in Inner London can start on about £40,000 a year, compared to around £33,000 in other regions. So yes, where you work greatly affects your pay packet.

Local Scales: How Councils and Schools Set Pay

Outside London, TA pay works a bit differently. Councils usually follow NJC pay scales, but some academies and MATs have their own rates. So, pay can be slightly different from school to school.

Because of that, two schools just a few miles apart might offer different pay for the exact same job. So when you’re checking TA vacancies, always look closely at the grade, hours, and FTE (full-time equivalent) listed — that’s how you’ll know what you’ll actually take home.

How Qualifications and Roles Affect Pay

Your pay as a teaching assistant really depends on your level and what you do each day. The more skills you have, the better your pay gets — and it all builds up step by step.

Let’s break it down a bit:

• Level 2 TAs mostly help in the classroom, like setting up lessons and working with small groups of students.
• Level 3 TAs do a bit more, often supporting children with extra learning needs or helping students with special educational needs (SEN).
• And when you move up to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA), you can actually lead small groups or even cover a class when the teacher’s not around.

Now here’s the good part — as you move forward in your role and take on more responsibility, your pay rises too. For example, HILTAs can earn around £29,000–£31,000 a year (FTE), which is roughly 85–95% of what a new teacher makes outside London.

Hours, Holidays and Benefits: The Hidden Pay Factors

It’s not just the hourly rate that makes a difference between teachers and TAs — contracts, holidays, and pensions also play a big role. For example, teachers usually work on 52-week contracts, so they get paid all year and enjoy paid holidays, plus they’re in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, which is really generous. 

On the other hand, most TAs work term-time only. So, their pay is pro rata, based only on the weeks and hours they work. They’re usually in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is good but works a bit differently from teachers’ pensions. 

Because of this, even if a TA and a teacher are in the same school, their take-home pay can look very different. The real gap comes from hours, holidays, and pension contributions, not just the hourly rate.

Why the Pay Gap Exists (and What’s Changing)

The difference in pay between teachers and TAs mostly comes down to what each role involves. Teachers plan lessons, mark work, and lead the curriculum, while TAs spend most of their time helping students learn and providing extra support. So naturally, teachers earn more.

However, things are starting to shift. Unions are pushing for a £15/hour minimum for school support staff, including TAs. In 2025, support staff got a 3.2% NJC pay rise and teachers received a 4% STRB award, which helped slightly narrow the pay gap. While teachers still earn more overall, these changes show that TAs’ hard work is finally being recognised, and pay improvements are coming.

Could a Teaching Assistant Become a Teacher?

Yes, definitely! Being a TA is a great way to start if you want to become a teacher. You’ll gain real classroom experience, build confidence, and understand important things like safeguarding before you take on full teaching responsibilities.

Here are the main routes you can take:

• Undergraduate + PGCE – do a degree first, then complete a teaching course.
• Postgraduate PGCE/PGDE – if you already have a degree, take a postgraduate course to become a teacher.
• School Direct or Apprenticeship – train while working in a school and learn on the job.
• Assessment-Only Route – If you have plenty of teaching experience, you can qualify without taking a full course.

So, starting as a TA can really set you up for success when you decide to take the next step into teaching.

FAQs

• How much do teaching assistants get paid in the UK?
  Most TAs earn between £ 12.50 £13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and role.
• How much is a TA paid per hour?
  Entry-level TAs usually earn about £12.50–£12.65/hour, with higher levels and London weighting increasing the rate.
• Is teaching assistant a good job?
  Yes! It’s rewarding if you enjoy helping children learn and supporting teachers, plus it can lead to higher roles like HLTA or teaching.
• What is a Level 1 teacher assistant?
  A Level 1 TA does basic classroom support, such as helping students, setting up resources, and assisting the teacher with day-to-day tasks.
• What qualifications do you need to be a TA?
  Generally, you need GCSEs (English and Maths) or equivalent; Level 2 or 3 TA courses help boost pay and opportunities.
• What is a Level 2 teaching assistant salary?
  Level 2 TAs typically earn around £26,400–£28,600 per year (FTE), depending on the council and school.
• Can a Level 3 teaching assistant become a teacher?
  Yes! Level 3 experience helps you move into teaching through PGCE, School Direct, Apprenticeships, or Assessment-Only routes.

Final Thoughts: Different Roles, Shared Purpose

When you think about how much salary for teaching assistant you can earn, it’s easy to focus just on the numbers. But the story is bigger than that. TAs play a key role in every classroom — helping students learn, guiding them when they struggle, and keeping the day running smoothly. Without TAs, teachers couldn’t do their jobs as effectively.

Luckily, there are ways to boost your pay and move forward in your career:

• Level 3 or HLTA training can increase your salary and give you more responsibilities.
• London-weighted or SEN roles often pay extra and give you valuable experience.

So, while TAs may earn less than teachers on paper, your skills and choices can make a real difference. 

So, why wait? Boost your career with the Diploma in Special Education Needs (SEN Training) or HLTA Course through Unified Course to increase your pay and unlock new opportunities.