Are Teaching Assistants Getting a Pay Rise? Everything You Need to Know

Are teaching assistants getting a pay rise? Yes! From 1 April 2025, most council-run schools get a 3.2% boost. For example, new starters now earn £24,413 full-time. Also, many academies follow the same scale. And if you’re in London, you’ll get a little extra on top.

To help you understand what this means for your role, this guide explores the latest pay rates, term-time contracts, London weighting, and other key factors affecting Teaching Assistant salaries in 2025.

What Changed This Year

From 2021 to 2024, TA pay barely moved. While other school staff sometimes saw changes, TA pay stayed almost the same. With prices for food, housing, and energy rising fast in 2022–23, pay didn’t keep up. By 2024, unions were pushing harder for a fair rise that recognised both the cost of living and the vital role TAs play in schools.

This year, TAs are getting a 3.2% pay rise. In simple terms, every pay point and allowance went up by the same amount. It started from 1 April 2025, so you should see the extra cash in your pay soon. Basically, it’s a little boost to make your pay fairer.

Currently, most TAs are seeing the extra pay reflected in their salaries. In London, TAs get a slightly higher increase due to extra allowances, while council and academy staff across the UK benefit from the same 3.2% rise. Additionally, this boost recognises the important work TAs do every day and helps salaries keep pace with cost-of-living changes.

Who Gets the Rise

If you’re a TA in a council-run school, you’ll get this pay rise automatically. Most academies follow the same rules, so lots of TAs outside council schools will see it too. But some academies have their own pay scales, so if you work in one, check with your trust or HR to see exactly what you’ll get. That way, there are no surprises when your next payslip comes through.

When You’ll See It

Schools are told to give the pay rise as soon as they can, and it should go back to 1 April 2025. In other words, even if it takes a little while to show in your payslip, you’ll still get the extra money from April. 

How soon it shows depends on your school’s payroll. Some TAs might see it straight away, while for others it could take a few weeks. Either way, it’s coming, so just check your next payslip, and you’ll see the increase soon.

Current Teaching Assistant Salary

• Starter / Level 1: £24,400 – £25,500
  
• Experienced / Level 2: £25,500 – £28,100
  
• Higher Level Teaching Assistants (HLTAs): £28,600 – £32,100

These salaries depend on experience, responsibilities, and the type of school you work in. Additional allowances may apply for staff in London, and pay can vary for full-time, part-time, or term-time contrac

To explore more about the ongoing discussions, read our full guide on Teaching Assistant pay rises in 2025 to understand what this means for your role

How Much More Is That (in pounds)?

If you’re just starting as a TA, your full-time pay is now £24,413 (outside London). For everyone else, it’s a bit of a simple maths step. Take your current full-time pay and multiply it by 1.032. Then, if you only work term-time, adjust it for the weeks or hours you actually work.

For example, let’s say your full-time pay last year was £20,000. Multiply that by 1.032, and you get £20,640. Then, if you only work during term-time, that total gets spread across the weeks you work, so your monthly pay reflects that.

Want to know if Teaching Assistants get paid during holidays? Read our full guide: “Do Teaching Assistants Get Paid for Holidays?”

Is This Good News?

All in all, the 3.2% pay rise is good news for Teaching Assistants because it gives everyone a little extra and shows their hard work is appreciated. For new starters, the increase is clear, while experienced TAs might only notice a small boost. Plus, London staff get extra money to help with higher living costs. It’s not a huge change, but it’s a step in the right direction and something to feel positive about.

Term-Time TAs

The 3.2% rise is based on full-time pay, so that’s the starting point. Then, if you only work term-time, your pay is adjusted to match the weeks or hours you actually work. Basically, you’re still getting the same boost, but it’s spread across your working weeks instead of the full year. Most schools then divide it over 12 months, so you get a bit each month rather than all at once. In short, your pay goes up, just in a way that fits your schedule.

London & Hotspots

If you’re a TA working in Inner or Outer London—or even in the nearby fringe areas—you get a bit of extra cash on top of the 3.2% rise. This is called London weighting, and it’s meant to help cover the higher cost of living there. Basically, your pay in these areas will be higher than elsewhere, so you’ll see a nicer total in your payslip. It’s a little bonus that makes living and working in London a bit easier.

Do Academies Get the Same Rise?

Most academies go with the same pay rise as council schools, so lots of TAs will get the 3.2% boost. But some have their own rules. If your academy does things differently, your trust decides how much you get. So, just check with HR or peek at your pay policy to be sure—you don’t want any surprises when your payslip comes.

How to Check Your Exact Figure

Want to know exactly how much extra cash you’ll get? It’s easier than you think. Here’s a quick way to figure it out:

• Check your council or trust pay table for 2025/26 and find your job’s grade. That shows your official pay point and how much the rise adds.
• If you’re in an academy, peek at the support-staff pay policy. Most follow the national rise, but some do their own thing—so it’s worth checking.
• Do a quick calculation: take your full-time pay from last year and multiply it by 1.032. Then adjust it for your hours or the weeks you actually work if you’re term-time.

Basically, these steps give you a clear picture of your new pay, so there are no surprises when your next payslip lands.

The Pay Rise Debate

The 3.2% pay rise is happening, but not everyone is happy.

• Unite didn’t accept the deal. Their members are frustrated after years of frozen pay and council budget cuts, and the union is ready to support workplaces that want to push for better pay.
• GMB agreed reluctantly, mainly to avoid delays that could affect members who rely on benefits like Universal Credit.
• Unison called the rise disappointing and warned that more action is needed to stop local government pay from falling further behind.

In short, TAs and other staff will see the increase, but unions are still pushing for fairer pay and better working conditions.

FAQs

1. Has the school’s support staff pay rise been accepted?
Yes, a 3.2% rise for support staff starts in April 2025.

2. Who is getting a 5.5% pay rise?
Teachers are getting 5.5%; TAs are not.

3. What is a TA hourly rate?
TAs can earn about £12.65–£13.47 per hour, depending on experience and location.

4. Do Level 3 TAs get paid more?
Yes, Level 3 TAs usually earn more—around £26,747 per year.

5. Are teaching assistants getting a pay rise in 2025?
Yes, TAs get a 3.2% rise from April 2025.

6. Can a Level 3 TA become a teacher?
Yes, by getting QTS and completing teacher training.

Final Thoughts

So, are teaching assistants getting a pay rise? Yes! From 1 April 2025, most TAs will get a 3.2% increase. Council-run schools and many academies have updated their pay, and if you work in London, the London weighting gives a little extra too. For term-time TAs, schools spread the rise across the weeks you work, and Level 3 TAs receive a slightly bigger boost.

But this rise isn’t just about numbers—it shows that the hard work TAs do every day is being noticed. From helping students to keeping classrooms running smoothly, your effort matters. Still, unions say there’s more to do to make pay fairer. So, check your pay table and do a quick calculation to make sure your payslip reflects the increase.

Want to boost your skills while staying on top of your career? Check out the Teaching Assistant course at Wise Campus and take your next step today!