How Much Is the Pay for Level 3 Teaching Assistant Roles?

Level 3 Teaching Assistants (TAs) are paid using local government NJC support-staff scales. This means the pay for Level 3 Teaching Assistant roles is usually between £13 and £15 per hour. Also, full-time salaries are around £24,000 to £28,000. Plus, pay can go up if you have more experience, extra responsibilities, or work in London.

For example, some job adverts show SCP7–10 roles at £26,403–£28,142 FTE. This is about £13.69–£14.59 per hour. At the same time, the national guidance shows a baseline rate of £23,656 FTE. That is around £12.26 per hour. So, the actual pay depends on the school, where it is, and the work you do.

Let’s dive in and see how much pay for Level 3 TAs changes with experience, duties, and location.

What Does a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Do?

Here are the main tasks a Level 3 Classroom Assistant usually does:

• Help the teacher: Plan lessons and keep the classroom ready.
• Lead learning: Work with small groups or one-to-one with students.
• Check progress: Watch and note how students are doing.
• Support behaviour: Keep order and help students with emotions and wellbeing.
• Prepare resources: Make materials and help with simple admin tasks.
• Supervise class: Watch the class if the teacher is away for a short time.

How Much Is the Pay for Level 3 Teaching Assistant Roles?

Level 3 Teaching Assistants usually earn between £25,000 and £28,000 a year outside London. This is the full-time salary for a whole year, even if you only work during school terms. In London, pay is higher because of the London weighting. This extra money helps with the higher cost of living in the city.

Hourly pay is usually £13 to £15, but it is for term-time only work. This means you get paid only for the weeks you are at school, not for all 52 weeks. The exact pay also depends on the school, your experience, and extra duties like helping small groups or covering lessons.

Do Level 3 Teaching Assistants Earn More Than Level 1 and Level 2?

Yes, Level 3 Teaching Assistants usually earn more than Level 1 and Level 2 TAs. But why is this?

Most support staff are paid using NJC (National Joint Council) scales. These scales rise step by step through Spinal Column Points (SCPs). Level 1 and 2 TAs are on lower points. Meanwhile, Level 3 TAs are on higher points. This is why Level 3 TAs earn more than lower-level TAs.

How Do Schools Decide Level 3 TA Pay?

Schools set the pay for Level 3 TAs using the local NJC grade or Spinal Column Point (SCP) for the role. Then, they adjust the pay depending on the hours worked each week and the number of paid weeks. Most TAs work term-time only, and holiday pay is included.

Also, in 2024/25, the NJC added £1,290 to each point. This increased salaries for all support staff. After that, schools calculate the hourly pay, which is shared locally. This helps staff know exactly how much they earn per hour. In the end, the final salary depends on the NJC point, how many hours you work, and local settings.

What Are Typical Hourly Rates for Level 3 TAs?

Level 3 Teaching Assistants usually earn £13.70 to £14.59 per hour for roles on SCP7–10, according to recent job adverts. The national baseline “going rate” is about £12.26 per hour FTE. This is calculated for full-time equivalent work, even if you work term-time only.

Pay can change a little depending on the school or location. For example, some schools in London pay a bit more because of the London weighting. Also, your hourly pay can be higher if you have experience or extra duties like helping small groups, covering lessons, or supporting SEN students.

Do Level 3 Teaching Assistants Get Paid for Holidays?

Yes, Level 3 Teaching Assistants do get paid for holidays. However, it works differently if you have a term-time only (TTO) contract. TTO Staff only work during school terms, so schools pro-rate their pay. This means the annual salary is spread over 12 months. It also includes statutory holiday pay, sometimes called the Green-Book holiday.

In practice, TTO staff do not work during school holidays. They usually take their leave at these times. Still, schools include holiday pay in their salary. Local school policies and national Green Book guidance confirm that TTO staff receive paid leave, even though they are not working during school breaks.

If you want more insight into Level 3 TA pay, read our article “How Much Does a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Earn in the UK?“ and learn everything you need in one place.

Does Location Affect Level 3 Teaching Assistant Pay?

Yes, where the school is can change the pay for Level 3 Teaching Assistants. For example, schools in Inner and Outer London, and some Fringe areas, usually pay more for the same NJC points. This extra pay is called London weighting, and it helps cover the higher cost of living.

To give an example, a Level 3 TA on SCP8 might earn about £26,000 FTE outside London. But the same role in Inner London could pay around £29,000 FTE. A TA in a Fringe area, like Milton Keynes, may earn slightly more than the national rate, but less than Inner London.

So, always check your local council’s NJC pay spine. London SCPs are usually several thousand pounds higher than the national rate. This helps you know the exact pay in your area.

How Much Do Level 3 SEN Teaching Assistants Earn?

Level 3 SEN (Special Educational Needs) Teaching Assistants usually earn pay similar to other Level 3 TAs. However, many SEN roles also include an extra SEN allowance. This allowance is added on top of the base salary and is published nationally for support staff.

For example, job adverts for SEN TAs often show pay at the upper end of Level 3 ranges. One example is a national benchmark that lists a SEN classroom assistant at £25,147 FTE, which is about £13.03 per hour. Also, the NEU reports an SEN allowance of around £1,491 in 2024, where applicable. So, it is always important to check the job advert to see the exact salary offered.

Can Level 3 TAs Increase Their Pay with Extra Duties?

Yes, Level 3 Classroom Assistants can boost their pay by taking on extra duties. But how? Here are some ways you can earn more:

• Cover lessons: Act as a cover supervisor or take temporary teacher responsibilities.
• Higher Level TA (HLTA) duties: Take on advanced teaching tasks that come with higher pay.
• Support SEN pupils: Extra responsibilities for SEN students often include an allowance.
• Breakfast or after-school clubs: Working extra hours adds to your earnings.
• First-aid or safeguarding roles: Taking on health, safety, or child protection duties can increase pay.

Final Thoughts: Understanding the Pay for Level 3 TA

If you want to understand the pay for a Level 3 Teaching Assistant, it helps to focus on three key factors:

• NJC Grade/Point
• Hours Worked per Week
• Number of Paid Weeks (TTO)

Most Level 3 roles pay around £25,000–£28,000 per year, or £13–£15 per hour. At the same time, pay can be higher if you work in London, take on SEN duties, or cover extra responsibilities like HLTA work. For this reason, always check the job advert for the grade, SCP, paid weeks, and actual salary so you know exactly how much you will earn each month.

Want to start your career as a TA? Join the Teaching Assistant Course at Wise Campus and build the skills you need.

FAQs

What is the salary for a Level 3 Classroom Assistant?

Level 3 Teaching Assistants usually earn between £25,000 and £28,000 per year outside London. In London, salaries are higher because of the London weighting.

How much are TAs paid per hour?

Level 3 TAs usually earn around £13–£15 per hour, depending on background, duties, and location.

How much do Level 3 teachers get paid?

Level 3 TAs are support staff, not teachers. Teacher pay is different and depends on experience, subject, and grade.

What is a Level 3 Teaching Assistant equivalent to?

A Level 3 TA is an experienced teaching assistant with more responsibility than a Level 1 or 2. They may run small groups, support SEN pupils, or cover short periods of lessons.

Is a Level 3 TA a qualified teacher?

No, Level 3 TAs are not qualified teachers. They support learning and classroom management but do not hold teaching qualifications.

How much does a TA get paid an hour?

Level 3 TAs typically earn £13–£15 per hour, while lower-level TAs earn less. Pay can increase with experience, extra duties, or working in London.

What is the minimum wage for a TA?

The minimum depends on NJC pay scales and age. Level 1 TAs often start around £10–£12 per hour, with pay increasing as they move to Level 2 or 3.