How Much is a TA Paid in the UK? The 2025 Pay Breakdown

Ask yourself: How much is a TA paid in the UK? The answer is: not nearly enough—for now. Teaching assistants (TAs) work hard. They support classrooms, calm chaos, and handle real learning. Yet their pay still trails behind inflation. This blog explains TA pay in 2025. We look at hourly rates, sick pay, lunch breaks, and the 2025 raise. We also track what TAs lose in real value as time ticks.

Fast Stats (2025)

• Starting salary: £20,258

• Real take-home (term-time): Around £13,900

• Level 3 TA: Up to £25,500

• Hourly rate: £10–£15 (average £12.85)

• 2025 proposed raise: 3.2 percent

• Union demand: £3,000 flat raise

• Lunch breaks: Usually unpaid

• Sick pay: Up to six months full pay after five years

So, How Much is a TA Paid in the UK?

The answer varies. It depends on the school, the region, and the TA’s level. Most teaching assistants earn between £20,258 and £23,500. This is for full-time, full-year work. But many contracts are term-time only. That means most TAs earn only during the 39 school weeks. The result? Actual take-home pay drops to around £13,000 to £15,000 a year. That’s less than minimum wage for many full-time workers.

What Do Teaching Assistants Earn?

It depends on experience and qualifications. Here’s the 2025 breakdown:

These are gross figures. A TA on a 39-week contract will earn much less in practice. A Level 3 TA in Manchester might earn £22,500 on paper. Their real take-home could be only £17,600.

Regional Pay Differences

Pay changes based on location. A TA in London earns more than one in Leeds. That’s due to “London weighting”—extra pay to match the cost of living. Here’s how the 2025 numbers look: Inner London: £23,800 starting salary. Manchester: £17,600 average for Level 2. Leeds or Birmingham: About £19,700. Scotland: £12.56 per hour minimum. Northern Ireland: £10 per hour average. Inner London jobs pay best. Some HLTAs in London earn more than £30,000.

Will TAs Get a Pay Rise in 2025?

Yes—but not everyone is happy. In April 2025, support staff were offered a 3.2 percent pay rise. Unions say that’s not enough. The rise is below the inflation rate. Inflation was 3.7 percent at the time. That makes the raise a pay cut in real terms.

Here’s what’s happening: Unions want a £3,000 raise for every support worker. Employers offered only 3.2 percent. Teachers got 6.5 percent last year. Support staff still have no proper pay review system. A new pay body—the School Support Staff Negotiating Body—is in the works. It could bring change by 2027. Until then, TA pay will rise slower than costs.

Do TAs Get Sick Pay?

Yes, and it’s generous if you’re in a state-funded school. Most schools follow the “Green Book” terms. This includes staged sick pay, which grows with service.

This is better than statutory sick pay. Private schools vary. Some follow similar rules. Others give only the legal minimum.

Do Teaching Assistants Get Paid for Lunch Breaks?

Most do not. Lunch breaks are unpaid unless stated otherwise in your contract. If your working hours are 8:30 to 3:30, and you take a 30-minute break, only 6.5 hours count. There are exceptions. Some TAs work lunch duty. That time gets paid. But it’s usually a different contract or an extra duty. You have a legal right to a break. But there’s no law that says it must be paid.

TA Pay in State vs. Independent Schools

State schools follow national or local pay scales. These are usually fair and backed by unions. Private schools set their own pay. Some offer more. Others offer less. It depends on the school’s budget. In a private school, you must ask: Do they offer sick pay? Do they pay during holidays? Will your pay increase each year? There’s no standard. Some private schools treat staff well. Others cut corners.

Tracking the Inflation Gap

Pay raises don’t tell the whole story. If TA wages kept up with inflation since 2010, the average TA would earn £5,000 more today. We call this the “inflation gap.” And it grows in real time. Watch the red ticker at the top of this post. It shows how much TA pay loses by the minute. The data updates based on UK inflation. Right now, it shows a £0.42 drop in value since you started reading. That’s how fast the pay gap grows.

Why TA Pay Stays Low

More kids need support. Teachers need backup. Schools rely on TAs for both. But the pay doesn’t reflect that. Today’s TAs do more than ever: Run small group sessions. Handle behaviour. Work with children with special needs. Cover lessons when teachers are away. Despite that, they earn near minimum wage.

The Push for £15 an Hour

Unions are pushing for a base rate of £15 per hour for all school support staff. In Scotland, support staff already won a new floor of £12.56 per hour. They want £1 per hour more next year. Talks are ongoing. In England, unions want a clear plan to reach £15 an hour. Employers haven’t agreed yet. The 3.2 percent offer still falls short.

Curious about the real-world hours of a TA, beyond the contract? Our latest blog post breaks it all down!

What to Do if You’re a TA

Use this checklist:

1. Read your contract carefully. Look for pay scale, term-time rules, and sick pay.

2. Join a union. They negotiate better pay and protect your rights.

3. Ask your school if they match national pay deals. Some academies don’t.

4. Consider upskilling. A Level 3 or HLTA role boosts your pay.

5. Follow the talks. Look out for NJC, SJC, or JNC updates.

Final Thoughts

Teaching assistants carry the classroom. They support children, staff, and schools every single day. Yet most still earn less than £15,000 a year after deductions. TA pay hasn’t kept up with the job. It hasn’t kept up with inflation either. Will 2025 change that? Maybe. If unions win more, and the new pay body brings reform, better pay could come. But it won’t happen overnight. 

Discover top salaries & unlock your potential with our online Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus! Enroll today!