How Much Does a Level 3 TA Get Paid? Real Talk, Real Growth

Let’s start with the truth: How much does a Level 3 TA get paid? In 2025, not as much as you deserve—but enough to make the next jump worth it. That’s what this blog is about. Not just pay. But progress. We’ll show you what Level 3 teaching assistants earn, what’s holding your income back, and how to climb to the next rung without burning out—or going broke.

We’ll walk through three real-world stories. You’ll see where Level 1 starts, what Level 3 pays, and how much HLTA roles really bring home. Then we’ll show you what it costs to move up, how fast you make that back, and what schools actually look for when hiring.

Let’s break it down.

Who You Are, Where You Land: The TA Ladder in 3 Stories

Meet Ben. He’s a Level 1 TA in a state primary school in Hull. He helps in class, preps displays, and supports playtime. Ben earns £20,258 full-time, but on 30 hours term-time only, he takes home £13,900 a year.

Now meet Yasmin. She’s a Level 3 TA in Nottingham. She runs group sessions, supports SEN pupils, and logs progress. Her contract says £24,250. She works 35 hours, term-time only. Her real pay is around £18,300. That’s the heart of the question—how much does a Level 3 teaching assistant get paid? That’s your ballpark.

And then there’s Darren. He just became an HLTA in London. He now earns £28,850, covers whole classes, and leads interventions. He got there in two years.

Which one sounds like you? Or who you want to be?

For a deeper dive into these figures and what they mean for TAs, be sure to check out our blog on Teaching Assistant Salaries.

What Is a Level 3 Teaching Assistant?

A Level 3 teaching assistant is not entry-level. You’ve likely got a diploma. You might lead phonics or numeracy groups. You know your way around a behaviour plan. You help pupils with EHCPs. You work with little ones who don’t speak yet—or speak too much at the wrong time.

You’re trusted. You’re sharp. You’re everywhere in the room. You’re one step away from HLTA.

But what you may not know is just how much that extra step can change your payslip. Let’s map it out.

2025 Salary Ladder: Level by Level

Note: Pay based on 37 hours/week. Adjust if your contract is shorter. All values rounded for clarity.

How Much Does a Level 3 TA Get Paid—Really?

You see £24,250 in your contract, but your payslip looks closer to £1,300 a month. Why?

Because almost every TA is on a term-time only contract. That means 39 paid weeks a year. The annual salary gets pro-rated. But they pay it monthly, so the cash feels steady—but lower.

You also pay tax. You pay NI. You likely pay into a pension. That’s all worth it—but it shrinks the number you take home.

That’s why the real answer to how much does a Level 3 TA get paid isn’t a single number. It depends on hours, weeks, and benefits. But in 2025, the range is clear:

• Full-time: £23,000 to £25,500

• Term-time only: Around £18,000

• After tax: £15,000 to £16,000 in most areas

ROI Reality: Is Moving to Level 3 Worth It?

Short answer: yes. Long answer? See the table.

Jump-a-Rung ROI Table

Most Level 3 qualifications cost between £600 and £1,000. You can study online, part-time, even while working. Some schools pay for it. Others offer apprenticeships. If you can finish the course in under a year, you’ll earn it back fast.

A Day in the Life: What Level 3 TAs Actually Do

Yasmin arrives at 8:15. She sets up phonics. At 9:00, she runs a Y2 reading group. At 10:15, she’s doing 1:1 work with a child on an EHCP. At 11:00, she logs observations. After lunch, she helps with social skills for a group of six. Before 3:30, she updates three progress sheets, talks with the SENCO, and preps for next day’s spelling support.

That’s not low-skill work. That’s not “just support.” That’s teaching. Schools know it. Some pay for it. Others don’t. That’s when you use your numbers—and go higher or go elsewhere.

Upskilling Routes: How to Reach Level 3

To move from Level 1 or 2 to Level 3, here’s what you need:

1. Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning (or experience)

2. Level 3 Diploma in the same (or related area)

3. A placement (paid or voluntary) in a school

4. A portfolio of assessed work

5. Confidence to apply or ask for the promotion

You don’t need A-levels. You don’t need to leave your job. Many online providers offer weekend or evening courses. Total cost usually stays under £1,000. Some councils fund it.

Pay By Region (2025 Update)

Scotland pays TAs on council terms. The floor is now £12.56 an hour. That rises if you’re in SEN support.

Northern Ireland mirrors England, but delays are common. Always confirm with your board.

Bonus Benefits: More Than Just Salary

Being a Level 3 TA often means:

• Better hours

• Longer contracts

• Paid INSET days

• More involvement in planning

• More respect from senior staff

In some schools, it also means access to CPD events, training days, or even HLTA pipelines. That’s the power of progression. You’re not stuck. You’re building.

HLTA: Your Next Rung

An HLTA is not just a better-paid TA. You lead. You teach. You cover classes. You run your own interventions. You plan. Some HLTAs even co-lead year groups or help train new TAs.

The national range in 2025 is:

• £26,000 to £30,000 full-time

• Around £21,000 on term-time-only

• After tax: £17,000 to £18,000 net

HLTA status takes a short course and a school-supported assessment. It costs £1,000 to £1,300. Many schools pay for it. If not, you can apply for funding from trusts or providers.

Career Progression Tip: Use Your Appraisal

Your annual performance review matters. This is your moment to say:

• I’m doing Level 3 work

• I’ve finished my Level 3 course

• I’m ready for HLTA

• What’s the plan to get me there?

Ask for shadowing days. Ask for formal feedback. Ask what skills you need next.

Then show them you’ve already started.

Final Word: Your Pay Reflects Your Path

If you’re already at Level 3, you’re earning £23,000 to £25,500 on paper. You’re likely taking home £1,250 a month. And you’re doing a job that includes care, teaching, paperwork, and behaviour support.

That deserves growth. That deserves clarity. That deserves more.

If you’re still in a Level 1 role, this is your year to move. The course will cost you time and effort—but pays you back fast.

If you’re at Level 3 already, the jump to HLTA is closer than you think. Use this post, the “Jump-a-Rung” button, and your next review to take that step.

You don’t have to wait for someone to offer it. You can ask. You can plan. And you can win.

Ready to boost your TA career? Discover your earning potential & more with our online Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus – enrol today!