Are you curious about what do teaching assistants earn in 2025? On average, they earn around £12.21 per hour or £97.68 per day. This is roughly £19,000–£26,000 per year for term-time roles. However, pay varies depending on experience, school type and location. For example, London schools often offer more, around £23,872, while cities like Leeds and Birmingham pay closer to £19,697. Also, roles supporting special educational needs (SEN) pupils or senior duties can earn extra. These figures reflect the National Living Wage rise in April 2025, showing that teaching assistant pay depends on many factors, including part-time schedules and regional differences.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything about TA pay — from different levels and regions to smart ways to earn more in 2025.
What Affects a Teaching Assistant’s Pay?
Not every teaching assistant earns the same and that’s completely normal. Naturally, pay can change depending on your experience, the school you work in and the role you take on. For instance, some factors can give your salary a boost, while others might hold it back a little. So, let’s take a closer look at what really makes a difference:
- Experience: The longer you’ve been helping in classrooms, the more you’ll likely earn. Each year brings new skills, more confidence, and often a small bump in pay to match your growing experience.
- Qualifications: Learning never goes to waste. When you take extra training or complete a higher-level TA course, schools notice — and that usually leads to better pay.
- School type: Every school is different. Bigger schools, academies, and private schools often pay more than small local or rural schools with tighter budgets.
- Location: Where you work can make a big difference. Schools in London and the South East tend to pay more because living costs there are higher.
All these factors shape what you earn, but your care, effort and heart in the classroom are always priceless.
What Do Teaching Assistants Earn? Levels 1, 2, and 3 Explained
Teaching assistant pay changes depending on your level, what you do, and how much experience you have. Let’s take a closer look at each level:
Level 1 TA
Level 1 is usually the starting point. You’ll help in the classroom, support small groups, and assist with everyday tasks. On average, you can earn £11–£13 per hour, which is around £19,000–£21,000 per year for term-time roles. This stage is all about learning, gaining confidence, and getting a feel for the school environment.
Level 2 TA
At Level 2, you start taking on more responsibility. You might lead small lessons, support SEN pupils, or help plan activities. Pay usually sits between £12–£14 per hour, or £20,000–£24,000 per year. With more experience and skills, you can take on extra duties and feel proud of the difference you’re making in the classroom.
Level 3 TA
Level 3 is the senior teaching assistant role before HLTA. You’ll often manage groups on your own, cover classes, and handle extra responsibilities. Pay is generally £13–£16 per hour, which comes to around £23,000–£28,000 per year. At this stage, your skills, dedication and experience really shine, and your hard work is reflected in your pay.
As you can see, the higher your level, the more responsibility you take and the more you earn. Extra training helps you move up faster.
How Much Do Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) Earn?
Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs) take on more responsibility than regular teaching assistants. They often plan and lead lessons, cover classes, and support other staff. Because of all this extra work, their pay is higher than standard TAs.
On average, HLTAs earn between £22,500 and £29,000 a year, but it can change depending on experience, skills, and location. For example, in London, salaries can reach £31,000 or more (around £15.56 per hour), while in smaller towns or rural areas, pay may be closer to £22,000–£25,000 (about £11–£12.50 per hour). Also, schools with bigger budgets or private schools usually offer higher pay.
In short, becoming an HLTA is a great way to take on more responsibility, make a bigger difference in the classroom, and earn more for the work you do.
Do SEN Teaching Assistants Get Paid More?
SEN stands for Special Educational Needs, which means helping pupils who need extra support with learning or other challenges. Because of this extra responsibility, SEN Teaching Assistants usually earn more than regular TAs. On average, they make around £18,000 to £27,000 a year; in London or private schools, pay can be higher. In addition, some schools give extra allowances from £2,679 to £5,285 a year for taking on these special duties.
In short, it’s a job where your care, patience, and skill matter—and your pay reflects the extra effort you give daily.
If this sounds like the career for you, read our full blog “How to Become a SEN Teaching Assistant in the UK?” and discover the steps to start your rewarding journey!
Teaching Assistant Pay by Region: Who Earns the Most?
Pay for teaching assistants changes a lot depending on where you work. Here’s a quick look at the differences:
- London: Offers the highest salaries with London weighting, averaging £23,872 per year.
- Northern regions: Cities like Manchester and Leeds usually pay less, around £17,000 to £19,000 per year.
- Rural schools: Pay can be lower, but some schools add extras like travel allowances or small bonuses.
Where you work really makes a difference. For example, London offers the highest salaries to help with higher living costs, while the South East is slightly lower. In the North and rural areas, wages are usually smaller, but some schools add extra perks like travel or housing support. So, choosing the right region can have a big impact on your earnings and your day-to-day life.
What Is the Average Hourly Pay for Teaching Assistants?
Curious about what teaching assistants earn per hour? It really depends on your role and what you do each day. Here’s a quick look at the averages:
- General TAs: £12.26 per hour – a starting wage that can go up as you gain experience and take on more hours.
- HLTAs: £15.20 per hour – higher responsibility brings better pay and more chances to grow in your career.
- SEN TAs: £13.03 per hour – usually a bit higher because of special skills and extra allowances.
Overall, your hourly rate depends on your experience, responsibilities, and extra duties. So, the more you grow and take on challenges, the more your earnings can increase!
How Does Term-Time Only Pay Work?
Many teaching assistants (TAs) work on term-time only contracts, which means you’re paid only for the weeks when school is open, usually about 39 weeks a year. Because of this, the advertised salary can look higher than the actual money you receive each month.
For example, a TA might have a salary of £22,000 a year. However, because this is spread over term-time weeks only, the monthly pay ends up being lower than a full-year salary. That’s why it’s important to check if a job is term-time or full-year before accepting it. This way, you can plan your finances better and avoid any surprises!
How TA Pay Compares to the Real Living Wage in 2025
Teaching assistants (TAs) do so much to support students and teachers, but does their pay really match the cost of living? Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:
- Average TA hourly pay: £12.65 per hour – just a little above the UK Real Living Wage.
- UK Real Living Wage: £12.60 per hour – the basic amount needed to cover everyday living costs across the country.
- London Real Living Wage: £13.85 per hour – reflecting the higher rent, bills, and daily expenses in the capital.
As you can see, most TAs earn slightly above the Real Living Wage in the UK. However, in London, many earn less than what’s really needed to live comfortably. So, even though TAs do such important work every day, their earnings often don’t keep up with real-life costs. That’s why fair pay is so important for valuing the work they do.
Can Teaching Assistants Increase Their Pay?
Absolutely! There are a few ways TAs can grow their salary and move forward in their career:
- Gain experience: The longer you work in schools, the more your salary can go up. Every year adds value!
- Take on SEN roles: Helping pupils with special educational needs (SEN) often comes with extra pay or allowances.
- Become an HLTA: Higher Level Teaching Assistants earn more because they take on extra duties like leading lessons or mentoring staff.
- Pursue qualifications: Extra training or higher-level TA courses can open doors to better-paid roles.
- Move into teaching: Many TAs train to become teachers, which usually brings a big jump in salary.
So, with the right experience, skills, and effort, your earnings can grow as your career grows!
Are There Pay Rises Coming for TAs in 2026?
Good news for teaching assistants! In April 2025, TAs received a 3.2% pay rise, giving a nice boost to their salaries. Looking ahead, the National Joint Council (NJC) has proposed another 3.5% increase in April 2026 as part of a two-year deal covering 2025/26 and 2026/27. This is great news, especially with living costs and inflation on the rise. So, while being a TA is already rewarding, these pay rises show that the hard work and dedication of school support staff are being recognised — and your income can grow along with your experience and responsibilities.
FAQs
How much do teaching assistants get paid in the UK?
- On average, TAs earn £19,000–£26,000 per year, depending on experience, role, and location.
How much are TAs paid per hour?
- General TAs: £12.26/hr
- HLTAs: £15.20/hr
- SEN TAs: £13.03/hr
Do teaching assistants get paid well?
- Pay is modest and often just above the Real Living Wage. It’s fair in smaller towns, but can be low in London compared to living costs.
Why do TAs get paid so little?
- Salaries reflect school budgets and local funding, even though their work is vital.
Do I need qualifications to be a teaching assistant?
- Not always. Some roles accept no formal qualifications, but additional training or HLTA courses can boost pay and opportunities.
Final Thoughts: Is Teaching Assistant Pay Fair in 2025?
So, what do teaching assistants earn in 2025, and is it fair? Overall, TA salaries are modest. Most earn just above the Real Living Wage, but living costs — especially in London — can make it tough. That said, there are ways to boost your earnings, like taking on SEN roles, becoming an HLTA, or gaining experience and qualifications.
In short, TAs do vital work every day, helping students and keeping schools running smoothly. While pay isn’t always perfect, the chance to grow, learn new skills and increase your wages shows that a TA career can be both rewarding and financially improving.
Take charge of your future! Enrol in the Teaching Assistant Course at Unified Course and start your rewarding journey.
