Ever found yourself curious about what is teaching assistant salary? Well, here’s the quick answer. Your pay mostly depends on your role and the grade your school assigns on the local NJC SCP points. And if you’ve got qualifications like NVQ or CACHE Level 2 or 3, or HLTA Level 4, you can move into higher-paying roles. For example, in Cambridgeshire, the scale goes from SCP2 at £24,413 to SCP19 at £32,061 FTE. Plus, most TA jobs are term-time only, so your pay gets adjusted pro rata. But with the right qualifications, you can steadily climb the pay ladder.
Let’s dive insight and see how TA pay works, how NVQ, CACHE or HLTA courses can boost it, and ways to earn more.
Do NVQ or CACHE Qualifications Increase Teaching Assistant Salary?
Yes, they do! Your level and what you do in the job decide how much you get paid. For example, a Level 3 or CACHE L3 TA who helps with interventions or SEN support usually gets a higher SCP than someone with Level 2. On top of that, HLTA (Level 4) roles sit even higher and come with the best pay bands. So, the important thing for employers isn’t the certificate brand—it’s your skills and what you can do.
What Is Teaching Assistant Salary with NVQ or CACHE Qualifications?
In Cambridgeshire, teaching assistant pay starts at SCP2, £24,413, and goes up to SCP19, £32,061 FTE. That’s the full-time salary for each grade.
Most TAs starting out, usually Level 2, will be at the lower end, around £24,400–£25,900. But if you have Level 3 or support interventions or SEN pupils, you’ll usually sit in the middle range, roughly £26,400–£28,600. And HLTA (Level 4) roles? They’re at the top, around £28,600–£32,000, so you can earn the most.
Also, most TA jobs are term-time only, so your pay gets prorated depending on your work hours and weeks. Checking your local council pay scale helps you see which teaching assistant pay band you fit in. With NVQ or CACHE qualifications at the right level, you can move up the scale and earn more.
What Is the Average TA Salary with CACHE Level 2?
If you’re just starting as a teaching assistant with a CACHE Level 2, your pay is usually at the beginning of the scale. For instance, Level 2 posts in Cambridgeshire typically fall around SCP3–SCP6, about £24,796–£25,989 FTE.
Remember that most TA jobs are term-time only, so your actual take-home pay is adjusted based on your hours and weeks worked. Plus, starting at this level gives you a good foundation, and as you gain experience or take on extra tasks, your pay can go up.
How Much Do TAs with CACHE Level 3 or NVQ Level 3 Earn?
Your pay usually sits in the middle of the scale if you have a Level 3 qualification, like CACHE L3 or NVQ Level 3. For instance, TAs helping with interventions or supporting SEN pupils often earn around SCP7–SCP12, about £26,403–£28,598 FTE in Cambridgeshire.
Plus, you make more than an entry-level TA because you’re doing extra work, like one-on-one support or small group interventions. And as you gain more experience or take on additional duties, your Level 3 TA pay can increase even further.
What Is the Pay for HLTAs (Level 4) Compared to Level 3?
HLTA Pay Range
First, HLTAs, or Level 4 TAs, earn more than Level 3s because they take on extra responsibilities. In places like Cambridgeshire, for instance, HLTA pay usually sits at SCP12–SCP19, which is around £28,598–£32,061 FTE. Some academies even place HLTAs on higher scales or senior officer levels, depending on experience.
Why the Pay Is Higher
The main reason for the higher pay is the extra work involved. Unlike Level 3 TAs, HLTAs can lead lessons, manage small groups, and support teachers with planning or interventions. So naturally, with these extra duties, your salary goes up too. On top of that, having a Level 4 qualification proves you’re ready for these bigger responsibilities and helps you move up the pay scale faster.
Teaching Assistant Hourly Pay: NVQ/CACHE Levels Explained
Many councils tell you how much TAs earn per hour, so it’s easy to see what you’d get. For example, in Bolton, SCP2 is about £12.65/hour, SCP4 is around £13.05/hour, and SCP7 is roughly £13.69/hour for a 37-hour week.
Then, as you move up the SCPs, your pay increases, too, because higher grades come with more responsibilities. Local weightings can boost it even more, and since most TA jobs are term-time only, hourly pay is a good way to compare roles fairly.
So, checking council tables helps you understand your teaching assistant’s hourly pay and how different SCP hourly rates match your NVQ or CACHE level.
Does London Weighting Change TA Pay with NVQ/CACHE?
Yes, it really does! If you work in London or nearby fringe areas, councils usually add extra weighting or allowances to your pay. Let’s look at Camden; they set a minimum of £32,213 FTE, which is about £17.17/hour—much higher than many non-London areas.
And the thing is, even if you have the same SCP or qualification, your TA pay can be higher just because of where you work. So, it’s always worth checking your local authority or MAT pay tables before you accept a role. That way, you know exactly what you’ll earn.
How Do Term-Time Only Contracts Affect Take-Home Pay?
Most TA jobs are term-time only, which means you usually get paid for about 39 weeks a year, plus a little extra for paid leave, spread over 12 months. So, your take-home pay is slightly less than a full-time salary because you’re only paid for the weeks you work.
Then, to get an idea of what you’ll earn, you can use this formula: FTE × (weeks paid ÷ 52.14) × (contracted hours ÷ 37). Herts guidance also confirms the 3.2% annual uplift and explains its calculation. Checking this helps you understand your term-time only pay, the pro rata TA salary, and how to calculate TA pay properly.
Do SEN Roles Pay More for Qualified Teaching Assistants?
Yes, they often do! If you’re supporting SEN students or doing 1:1 work, schools usually add extra pay or place the role on a higher SCP. This means you can earn more than a standard TA for these specialist duties.
Then, it’s important to remember that the exact pay depends on the school or employer. So, always check the job advert for any notes on allowances or grades. That way, you know exactly what you’ll earn as a specialist TA, including any SEN teaching assistant pay or 1:1 allowance.
NVQ vs CACHE: Which Qualification Helps the Salary More?
Whether it’s NVQ or CACHE doesn’t directly affect your pay. What matters is your role level, your skills, and what you can do in the classroom. For example, schools look for your RQF level and proof that you can properly run interventions or cover lessons.
Then, if you want to earn more, a Level 3 qualification helps you get higher-band TA roles. On top of that, moving up to HLTA shows you can lead learning, which naturally comes with better pay.
This will help you determine the best qualification for a TA salary and understand how the RQF level affects pay.
How Does Experience Plus Qualification Impact Pay Bands?
Your experience really counts! If you can show what you’ve achieved, like progress data, interventions you’ve run, or SEN strategies you’ve led, you can move up the SCPs or step from Level 3 to HLTA. This is how schools reward proven skills, not just qualifications.
Then, remember that each council has its own policy, but it’s all based on the NJC 3.2% annual award, which sets the baseline for pay increases. Effectively using your appraisals and applications shows your impact and helps boost your TA pay progression.
Agency vs School Contracts: Who Pays Qualified TAs More?
Agency TA Pay
Agencies can seem tempting because they often pay higher daily or hourly rates. But, they usually don’t give benefits like holiday pay or a pension, and there’s no clear way to move up the pay scale.
School Contracts and Stability
Direct school jobs follow NJC pay bands and come with an LGPS pension and more stability. Plus, pay rises follow the council schedule and extras like London weighting or term-time adjustments can boost your take-home. So, when you compare, it’s better to look at net pay after holidays and allowances, not just the headline figure.
To sum up: Agencies might pay more upfront, but schools usually give better overall pay when you include pension, holiday pay, and career growth.
What Extras Can Boost Pay (Clubs, Interventions, Cover)?
There are lots of ways to boost your TA pay. For instance, schools often pay extra for after-school clubs, catch-up interventions, exam invigilation, or short-term cover. These duties can even get you a higher SCP or extra hours.
So, it’s always smart to check the job advert for additional duties or overtime policies. This way, you’ll know exactly which activities can improve your pay and plan your work.
Where to Find Official Pay Scales for Qualified TAs (NJC/Local)
If you want to know exactly what TAs earn, the best way is to check official pay tables. For example, Cambridgeshire shows TA pay from SCP2–SCP19, and Bolton has both hourly and yearly rates for 2025. Plus, LGA and UNISON circulars confirm the 3.2% pay increase for the year.
So, looking at these tables helps you see the real numbers for your role, make sure your pay matches the official guidance, and understand how NJC pay scales, council tables, and support staff awards work in practice.
Typical Pay Progression: Level 2 → Level 3 → HLTA
Moving up as a TA is pretty simple when you know the ladder. Starting at Level 2, you’d usually earn around SCP3–6: £24,796–£25,989 FTE. Then, as you move to Level 3, pay rises to about SCP7–12: £26,403–£28,598 FTE, especially if you take on extra duties or show what you can do in the classroom. Finally, reaching HLTA (Level 4) can get you up to SCP12–19: £28,598–£32,061 FTE.
So, the more experience, qualifications, and responsibilities you take on, the higher your pay climbs along this ladder.
Payslip Check: Are Your NVQ/CACHE Uplifts Applied Correctly?
To make sure your pay is right, check:
- Your grade/SCP matches the role.
- Hours and weeks paid are correct, especially for term-time jobs.
- Extra allowances, like London weighting, match your council table.
- Hourly/FTE pay using official guides (Bolton or Herts).
- If anything’s off, contact HR using the published table.
FAQs
- Does the certificate brand change pay?
Nope! What really matters is your level and the duties you do. The certificate brand (NVQ or CACHE) doesn’t change pay.
- What’s a typical starting hourly rate?
A Level 2 TA at SCP2 usually earns around £12.65/hour (Bolton). Your pay can rise as you gain experience and responsibilities.
- Can HLTA reach ~£32k FTE?
Yes! In Cambridgeshire, HLTA pay at SCP19 reaches £32,061 FTE, reflecting extra responsibilities like leading lessons and managing small groups.
- What is a teaching assistant salary in the UK?
It depends on your level and role. Typically, TAs earn £24k–£32k FTE, with higher pay for Level 3 or HLTA positions.
- How much are TAs paid per hour?
Hourly pay usually starts at around £12.65/h but increases with experience, qualifications, and extra duties.
- Can I be a TA with no experience?
Yes! Many entry-level TA jobs accept beginners. Taking a Level 2 TA course can help you get started.
- How much is a TA qualification?
Level 2 or 3 NVQ/CACHE courses generally cost a few hundred pounds online, depending on the provider.
- How long does a TA course take?
Most courses take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the level and how fast you study.
Final Thoughts: Maximising Your TA Pay with the Right Qualification Path
If you’re wondering what is teaching assistant salary, the key is to carefully plan your next step. Start at the level that matches your current duties, like Level 2, and then move up to Level 3 or HLTA as you get more experience and show what you can do in the classroom.
Then, when you apply for jobs, make sure to check the adverts with your local NJC table. Also, don’t forget extras like London weighting or SEN allowances—they can really boost your pay.
Ultimately, by following this path, you can steadily climb the ladder, earn more, and make the most of your qualifications.
Ready to take the next step? Unified Course can help you every step of the way. Start with the Level 2 Teaching Assistant Course, move up with the Level 3 Teaching Assistant Course, or go for the HLTA Course to lead in the classroom and earn more.
