What Do Teaching Assistants Earn in 2025? What’s Fair Game for TAs?

What do teaching assistants earn in 2025? That question is more loaded than it seems. Pay is part of it, sure. But behind that question sits a second one: are TAs being paid for the job they’re actually doing?

Teaching assistants used to play a supporting role. Now, they cover classes, lead learning groups, manage behaviour, and sometimes plan full lessons. And still, many of them get paid less than supermarket staff. So, what’s going on? Are schools leaning too hard on their TAs? Let’s find out.

A Clear Look at Teaching Assistant Pay in the UK

The average full-time salary for a teaching assistant in the UK in 2025 is about £21,000. But here’s the catch—most teaching assistants don’t work full-time, all year round. They work term-time only. That’s roughly 39 weeks a year, not 52.

When you factor that in, most TAs bring home about £15,000 to £18,000 per year. Some, especially new starters or those working part-time, might earn closer to £12,000. That’s not a typo.

Now, if you live in London, the average goes up. Teaching assistants there earn around £23,800. But even that gets trimmed once you apply term-time contracts.

Outside of London, salaries can be a fair bit lower. TAs in the North East and parts of Wales might earn just under £18,000 on paper. Again, term-time contracts shrink that figure even further.

Level 2 and Level 3 Pay: Is It Worth the Climb?

Qualifications matter. They affect pay and responsibility. A Level 2 teaching assistant earns around £18,500 to £20,000 full-time. A Level 3 TA might get up to £25,000. But again, actual take-home pay depends on whether you’re full-year or term-time.

A Level 3 TA with a full-time equivalent salary of £23,000 will take home about £18,000 if working term-time only. Some might earn less if they also work part-time hours.

Higher Level Teaching Assistants—HLTAs—stand slightly apart. They take on more responsibility, including covering whole classes. They can earn between £22,500 and £29,000 full-time. But even HLTAs on term-time pay often don’t hit £23,000 in real annual earnings.

So, how much do teaching assistants get paid? Not enough to match their skill, experience, or workload in most cases.

“Can You Just…”: How Extra Work Creeps In

You arrive early. Set up the room. Sharpen pencils. Calm down the child crying at the door. That’s before the school day even starts.

Then it begins.

“Can you just run a group for Year 3?”

“Can you just cover Reception for half an hour?”

“Can you just take that behaviour plan home and look at it tonight?”

It sounds small. But over time, those “justs” stack up. And suddenly, you’re doing the kind of work that used to fall to teachers.

You support. You lead. You manage. You even plan. But your job title and your wage don’t change. That’s where many TAs feel stuck—doing more without being recognised or rewarded for it.

The Line Between Support and Teaching Is Blurring

In some schools, teaching assistants are no longer just supporting. They are stepping into teacher roles without the title, the training, or the pay.

Some TAs are expected to lead lessons for full classes when teachers are out. Others run interventions or prepare tailored resources. None of these tasks come with extra pay. Very few come with protected time to plan or assess.

The pressure is rising. So is the frustration.

What used to be support work now leans into full teaching. But there’s no raise, no title change, and no formal recognition. This leads to an obvious ethical question: should TAs be doing teacher work without teacher pay?

What Real TAs Are Saying in 2025

“I cover lessons regularly. I’m planning work for three different children every week. I haven’t had a raise in years.”

“I’ve got a Level 3 qualification, but I’m still treated like I’m on the bottom rung.”

“I’m proud of the work I do. But when my role gets stretched, and I still earn less than my friend at Tesco, something’s wrong.”

These aren’t rare stories. Across the UK, teaching assistants feel the line between helping and leading has been crossed too many times.

So, What Should Be Fair Game?

It’s fair to expect TAs to support learning. It’s fair to ask them to run small groups, help with admin, and manage classroom routines.

But it’s not fair to expect them to lead whole classes without training. It’s not fair to ask them to plan and assess pupil work with no extra time or money. And it’s not fair to leave them stuck on the same pay point while their duties increase.

If schools rely on TAs to keep things running, then TAs deserve more—more support, more training, and more money.

How to Earn More Without Leaving the Job

If you’re a TA and want to grow, here’s how you can boost your role and your pay.

1. Take a Level 3 qualification.

This opens the door to better jobs and can lead to a pay increase. It also helps you stand out when applying for HLTA roles.

2. Train as an HLTA.

You’ll lead classes, support planning, and you’ll be paid more. Some schools also offer extra hours or responsibilities to HLTAs.

3. Look for a TA apprenticeship.

If you’re starting out or want a free route to Level 3, this is a solid option. You train while you work and get paid.

4. Join the new Teacher Degree Apprenticeship.

Launched in 2024, this route lets you earn Qualified Teacher Status without needing a degree up front. You work in school, study part-time, and get paid. At the end, you walk out with QTS and a degree—no debt, no full-time uni.

Got a Degree Already? You’re One Step Ahead

If you already have a degree in any subject, you don’t need extra qualifications to become a TA. Most schools will welcome you with open arms.

You can apply directly. You might boost your CV with a short TA course. But you won’t need more academic study to start.

Many graduates use TA work as a stepping stone to a teaching career. Others choose to stay in support roles, where they can make a big impact without the pressure of teaching. Either way, you’ve got options.

Training Routes: Free or Paid, Online or In-Person?

There’s no single way to train. And that’s a good thing.

• College courses can be free if you meet funding rules. If not, you’ll pay a few hundred pounds. These are usually in-person or hybrid, and they come with recognised qualifications.
• Apprenticeships are fully funded. You don’t pay a thing. You also get paid to work while you train. You’ll need to find a school offering the apprenticeship, which can take time.
• Online courses are popular. Some are accredited. Others are not. Prices vary from £20 to over £500. Be careful—some cheap courses aren’t recognised by schools.
• Volunteering is free and gives you valuable experience. Some schools may even fund your training after you’ve proven yourself.

There’s no best route. It depends on your life, your budget, and how fast you want to move forward.

Should You Even Stay?

That’s a tough one.

If you love working with children, and you feel respected and valued, then yes—it’s a great role. It’s rewarding, creative, and no two days are the same.

But if your role keeps expanding while your pay stays frozen, it’s worth asking: is this sustainable?

Some TAs stay because they love the rhythm of the school year. Others stay because it fits around their family. Some stay because they hope to move up. But many are also leaving—for better pay elsewhere, or for teacher training.

The real issue? Schools rely on TAs more than ever. But if that work isn’t matched with recognition, more will walk.

Final Thought: What Do Teaching Assistants Earn—And What Should They?

Teaching assistants are the engine that keeps classrooms running. They support children with the highest needs. They give teachers breathing room. They fill gaps when things go wrong.

What do teaching assistants earn? Most earn between £12,000 and £18,000 once part-time and term-time hours are factored in. Some HLTAs earn more, but not always much more.

What do they actually do? More than their payslips reflect.

If schools continue to lean on TAs for leadership, teaching, and behaviour management, they need to raise the bar on pay and support. Because passion can’t pay the bills. And professionalism should be matched with proper recognition.

Let’s value TAs for what they really are: skilled, committed educators doing essential work. Not extras. Not gap-fillers. Professionals.